Introduction
The history of any state is a story full of outstanding events, personalities, and struggle. The formation of nationhood and its evolution is associated with the attempts to protect its culture, mentality, and independence from the expansionistic ambitions of neighboring countries trying to grasp new territories and increase their power.
From this perspective, constantly territorializing empires can be considered the main threat to other nations because of their outstanding opportunities for further growth and a need for new territories to support their expansion. The British Empire is a perfect example of a state of this sort which managed to spread its influence globally and include many peoples in its structure.
However, there were multiple attempts to resist its pressure and topple its rule to protect mentality and culture. Ireland is one of the modern states that fought for its independence and managed to acquire it in the 20th century. Among many factors that preconditioned the success of their struggle, the emergence and activity of the Irish Republican Army became the critical aspect that helped to form its government.
Background
The background for the emergence of this military formation can be traced back to the 12th century when the part of Ireland was conquered by Henry II. English lords acquired new lands and tried to spread their influence on the whole island (McKittrick and McVea 12). However, the local population resisted invaders and struggled against the new rule.
Later, in the 16th century, the separation of the Church of England under Henry VIII and the emergence of Anglicanism just widened the gulf between Ireland and England as the Irish preferred to remain Catholics and protect their traditional beliefs (McKittrick and McVea 45). During the following centuries, there had been multiple attempts to colonize the lands of the island by English people and spread their culture. This process was partially successful as indigenous people lost their property; however, they preserved their unique culture and religion.
Mainly due to this fact, there were constant conflicts and attempts to reacquire independence and eliminate control of the English crown. Moreover, following the Act of Union 1800 united the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland with the primary aim to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (McKittrick and McVea 152). Under this act, the Irish Parliament was eliminated; instead, a certain number of representatives of this state were included in the Britain Parliament (McKittrick and McVea 152).
This act gave rise to the dissatisfaction and emergence of republican moods among the population of Ireland and multiple claims for independence. Nevertheless, the power of the British Empire was undoubted, and it managed to suppress these moods and rebels; however, in the first half of the 20th century the combination of conditions and factors such as the World War I (WW I), a mass movement for independence among colonies, and alterations in people’s mentalities, resulted in the weakening of the state and the needed background for the formation of IRA and successful struggle emerged.
History
Irish Republican Army (IRA) as a paramilitary movement appeared in the state in 1917 as a response to the rapidly deteriorating relations with the British government and because of the growth of Irish republicanism that had always been powerful on these lands (Coogan, “The IRA” 21). The organization was formed based on Irish Volunteers who did not join the British Army during WW I. In the first stages of its evolution, there was no united opinion on how IRA should function and what main goals should be followed. A significant event that predetermined the further formulation of goals and the main vectors of the struggle was the Easter Rising.
The act of armed insurrection was organized by the Irish republicans who wanted to cease the English rule on the island and create the independent Irish Republic (Coogan, “One Hundred Years” 56). Irish Volunteers headed by the poet Patrick Pearse managed to get control over several important governmental institutions and resist the army (Coogan, “One Hundred Years” 56). However, using the artillery and Crown forces, the official government managed to regain control and arrest leaders.
Thus, this event forced significant alterations in people’s mentalities, the IRA gained public support and became one of the potent tools used to struggle against the British government trying to become independent. In 1919, the Republic that had been proclaimed during the Easter Rising mentioned above was officially established and accepted IRA as the main military force that had to protect the new state and struggle against enemies trying to depress independence movements and control the land (Dingley 45). Since that time, the activity of this military formation had become one of the most important aspects influencing the political life of Ireland, its relations with England, and the results of the struggle.
First Leader
The newly formed military organization demanded effective control. In the beginning, Brugha and Collins, cabinet ministers of the new Irish parliament had the same influence on IRA; however, in practice, it was commanded by the second one who had more ways to impact operations and select aims because of his position in the leading party (Ford 76). Michael Collins was born in the family of Republicans who was connected to the 1798 uprising and the first attempts to establish the Irish Republic (Ford 32). For this reason, he also took an active position and participated in the Easter Rising.
Later he joined the Irish Volunteers, the organization that served as the basis of IRA, and used it as the platform for further career growth. It provided him with an opportunity to become the Director of Organization and Intelligence of IRA, in practice, a person responsible for all its operations. Due to his activity, it managed to achieve success in the guerilla war and impact the course of the War for Independence (Ford 121). He supported the Treaty established between the two states and entered the government of Ireland, but was killed by IRA members who tried to achieve the complete independence of the Republic.
Reasons
As it has already been stated, the main reason for the creation of the IRA was the desire to establish an independent state ruled by the own government. Considering the long history of the conflict, and the existence of conditions for the beginning of the civil war, the British Parliament was ready to provide Ireland with the autonomy after the WW I to ensure its loyalty and satisfy people’s demands (Dingley 45).
However, this step was not enough to alter people’s attitudes to the Empire and take into account their traditional powerful republican moods. In such a way, being dissatisfied with the existing situation, the Irish refused to support England in the WW I (English 67). On the contrary, instead of joining the armed or naval forces, they formed their military organization with the primary aim to proclaim their republic that will be independent and ruled by its government. In such a way, the central motif for the creation of the IRA was the need for a potent tool that will help to protect revolutionary movements and achieve success.
Motifs
IRA evolved into a powerful movement due to the successful combination of several motifs impacting the population of Ireland and preconditioning their attitude to the struggle for independence. First of all, the centuries-old history of opposition and conformation became one of the major factors forming people’s mentalities and their attitudes to British rule. For decades, the Irish had wanted to protect their culture, traditions, and religion from conquerors who invaded these lands.
However, the lack of opportunities and the absence of a powerful army complicated this task. It resulted in the emergence of a strong desire to continue resistance and form armed forces that will help to struggle successfully (Dingley 87). Furthermore, the inability to make a compromise and consider the existing national peculiarities cultivated a perspective that presupposed revolutionary moods and the impossibility of being a part of the British Empire. Under the impact of these essential factors, the Irish Parliament that emerged due to the Easter Rebellion was motivated to form IRA as the only way to continue the struggle and acquire independence.
Church
Another important aspect impacting the formation and the further success of the IRA was the Church. The fact is that as against the mostly protestant population of England, the Irish did not refuse from Catholicism and tried to protect their beliefs. In the past, it was one of the main reasons for the increasing pressure from the crown as this disobedience created the basis for the undying resistance and multiple attempts to stop colonizing the land.
In the 20th century, the situation remained the same. The vast majority of people living in Ireland were Catholics who accepted the rule of the Vatican and the Pope. It was another significant factor that distinguished the population of one state from another and created the basis for the emergence of a desire to fight for independence and protect the faith. IRA’s members were also Catholics who did not accept Anglicanism and were ready to defend the faith from its being altered under the impact of other religions.
First Battles
Correctly realizing a significant difference in the available resources, the number of soldiers, and the overall situation, IRA did not try to fight with the Crown forces directly because of the impossibility of success and lack of equipment. Instead, the newly formed military forces organized a guerilla war against the British Empire from 1919 to July 1921 (Irish Republican Army 45). It became an effective decision as the given strategy helped to split and minimize the power of the Crown forces (Moloney 54).
Regarding these tactics, the reorganization of the IRA was given significant attention. For instance, instructors and members were sent to various regions of Ireland to enroll new volunteers and set up guerilla units that could be used in struggling (Irish Republican Army 87). In general, about 15,000 citizens took part in the first phase of the war. Moreover, to resist the enemy’s intelligence services, a special unit “Squad” was organized with the primary aim to find and kill police officers collaborating with the British Government (Moloney 81). It helped to achieve a particular success as some fears associated with IRA emerged.
During the next stage of the war, the growing power of the IRA provided it with the opportunity to perform more serious actions. For instance, there were multiple attacks on fortified police barracks in the most important towns (Taylor 45).
The practice of terror resulted in the rapid deterioration of the situation as the British government accepted a set of strict measures such as martial law and an increase of the military contingent in the state. Responding to these steps, IRA started to attack columns of the crown forces with the primary aim to cause substantial damage and hide in the mountains (Taylor 47). The adherence to this strategy helped to successfully resist the British forces; however, the situation became worse as there was a critical lack of weapons and trained people.
Evolution
Regardless of the comparatively successful actions of the IRA on the territory of Ireland and mainly Dublin, it faced serious problems. One of its leaders, Collins, correctly realized the complexity of the situation and the possibility of the army’s collapse because of the lack of financing, organization, and further perspectives (Ford 99). There was a critical need for the reconsideration of the IRA’s nature and the way it evolved.
The factor that significantly impacted this process was the end of the war and the new Treaty which had an ambiguous character. By this agreement, the Irish Republic was abolished while the Irish Free State became the dominion of the British Commonwealth (White 67). Additionally, Northern Ireland was provided with an opportunity to remain the part of the UK which was supported by its parliament. All these factors significantly impacted the further development of IRA and created the basis for its split as there were many members dissatisfied with the Treaty, its ratification, and its results.
The unpopular among many IRA’s leaders decided to accept the conditions suggested by the British government preconditioned the organization’s split into two opposing camps. The first one included the former soldiers who formed the new National Army that protected the interests of the pro-British party; other fighters remained the members of the IRA who now acquired new goals and methods to achieve it (Dingley 121).
Being sure in the necessity of complete independence from England, IRA’s representatives also recognized the unavoidability of the civil war between these two parties as the only possible way to attract the public attention, gather people’s support, and reconsider the results of the treaty. The given split created the basis for the new wave of violence and aggression as the most radical IRA’s officers were sure that only the blood of betrayers from the National Army could help to reacquire freedom and ensure the future development of the Irish Republic. Having opposed the official government, the force that was previously associated with the Irish struggle for independence, became similar to terrorist organizations that accepted terror and violence as the method to achieve particular goals.
IRA and Civil War
The existing divergences in perspectives on how Ireland should evolve and its relations with Britain resulted at the beginning of the Civil War which became one of the turning points in the history of the IRA. The Anti-Treaty IRA stated that the main goal of its functioning was to protect the Irish Republic that was proclaimed during the Easter Rising (Dingley 78). Liam Lynch became the IRA Chief of Staff managing the majority of operations against the National Army that tried to defend the existing agreement with the British government and stop the further deterioration of the situation.
Because of the imbalanced position and critical difference in resources, the IRA gradually transformed into a terrorist organization that performed multiple acts of violence to trigger the public reaction, provoke a response from England, and start a new war (Dingley 98). For instance, 200 soldiers led by Rory O’Connor occupied the Four Courts and held their position resisting the governmental troops (Dingley 101).
As a result of this action, Collins, the former fighter of the IRA and a new commander-in-chief of the National Army, gave the order to assault on the building. Using heavy weapons, artillery, and support from England, the pro-treaty forces managed to gain control. This event resulted in the outbreak of violence and aggravation of relations between the IRA and the Irish official government.
The first act of terror was the assassination of the field marshal Henry Wilson who served as a security adviser (Ford 43). It significantly deteriorated the situation and demonstrated the radical moods in the IRA. After the final military assault of the Four Courts, the Civil War began; however, even though anti-treaty forces had more soldiers during the first stages, the National Army managed to align the better organization and take control of the majority of strategic cities (Dingley 121).
For IRA it meant that the new guerilla war was inevitable. Moreover, multiple terrorist attacks on the Free State forces became another feature of this war. It resulted in the outstanding wave of violence and causalities; for instance, Michael Collins was ambushed and killed by IRA fighters. There were also many deaths among soldiers of the National Army as losing its positions, anti-treaty forces had to act desperately and utilize terrorist methods.
Violence and Terrorism
In general, the activity or IRA has always been associated with multiple acts of violence and terrorism. The conditions under which it was formed preconditioned the choice of the methods to resist pressure and adherence to the guerilla war which is always associated with multiple causalities, deaths, and victims among the population. During the first stages of the War for Independence, volunteers and IRA members performed numerous terrorist acts attacking British representatives, its property, and killing members of the administration (Ford 87). This wave of terror aggravated the situation and preconditioned the further spread of violence.
Because of the increased level of suspiciousness, many civilian informers were shot by IRA because they collaborated with the Crown (Ford 98). In many cases, they were protestants, and their real guilt was not proven. The peak of violence during the War for Independence was observed in 1920-1921 during the final stages of the guerilla activity. Fighters attacked trains, British troops, their camps, administration, and other strategically important buildings.
During the Bloody Sunday, Collin’s “Squad” killed 14 British police officers who were considered spies in front of their wives; in return, the Crown forces killed 14 civilians shooting on a football crowd (Ford 101). It became one of the most violent events in the given stage of the conflict. These acts of terror contributed to the emergence of multiple fears among the population and enemies.
During the Civil War, the situation was also complex, and new outbreaks of violence were observed. Gradually losing its positions, the IRA had to utilize terrorist methods to damage official troops and their supporters. As a result of these actions, its image became associated with terrorism and the Church and the population did not support it. The number of casualties was high because of the mass involvement of Irish people from both sides and growing despair among anti-treaty forces. In such a way, all events associated with the IRA’s activity can be considered violent because of the peculiarities of their struggle.
Public Support and Recruiting
The IRA’s success and its wide public support at the first stages of the war can be explained by several factors. First of all, the majority of the population of Ireland had a negative attitude towards the British Empire. A centuries-long history of struggle resulted in the emergence of multiple opponents of the Crown’s rule and its dominance. For this reason, the recruiting activities of the IRA were extremely successful.
Visiting various areas, the IRA’s leaders were able to find new fighters among populations dissatisfied with the existing regime. Moreover, British troops acted violently and depressed individuals who tried to resist. For this reason, the mass involvement of the population served as the basis for the achievement of the main goals. However, during the Civil War, the IRA’s image became corrupted by multiple violent acts it performed against its former allies and the local population. In such a way, the citizens of Ireland altered their attitude toward these forces, and it lost its support.
Impact on the State and Other Organizations
The impact of the IRA on Ireland can hardly be overestimated. It became the fundamental factor that helped the state to acquire its independence and struggle against the Crown forces. The given military formation united the nation and demonstrated ways in which people can fight and resist pressure. At the same time, there are also some negative aspects of its functioning because of the terrorist acts and violence traditionally associated with it.
Methods utilized by IRA became a guide for other organizations that tried to resist the pressure of governments and struggle for various ideas. The majority of modern terrorist organizations prefer to engage in a guerilla war to avoid fighting with better equipped and organized regular forces and gain support from the local population to guarantee that the final success will be achieved (Ford 123). In general, it impacted the strategy and demonstrated the ways to organize terror in a particular state.
Conclusion
Altogether, the emergence and activity of the IRA had a significant impact on the history of Ireland. Being formed based on Irish Volunteers who participated in the Easter Rising, it became a military organization that had the main goal to protect the Republic and resist the Crown forces that tried to regain control over the state. IRA’s guerilla war turned out to be an effective tool because of the wide support from the local population and acts of terror that helped to decrease the mood of the British army. In such a way, IRA showed the way how to fight with the more powerful enemies avoiding direct flights which are now followed by many similar organizations in the world.
Works Cited
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Coogan, Tim. The IRA. St. Martin’s Griffin, 2002.
Dingley, James. The IRA: The Irish Republican Army (Praeger Security International). Praeger, 2012.
English, Richard. Armed Struggle: The History of the IRA. Oxford University Press, 2004.
Ford, Daniel. Michael’s War: A Story of the Irish Republican Army, 1916-1923. Warbird Books, 2013.
Irish Republican Army. Manual of Guerrilla Warfare: IRA Strategies for Guerrilla Warfare. Mikazuki Publishing House, 2013.
McKittrick, David, and David McVea. Making Sense of the Troubles: The Story of the Conflict in Northern Ireland. New Amsterdam Books, 2002.
Moloney, Ed. A Secret History of the IRA. W. W. Norton & Company, 2003.
Taylor, Peter. The Provos: The IRA and Sinn Fein. Bloomsbury Paperbacks, 2014.
White, Robert. Out of the Ashes: An Oral History of Provisional Irish Republicanism. Irish Academic Press, 2017.