Treaty Essay Plans

 To what extend was the Anglo-Irish Treaty Successful?

Intro: Accessing the successfulness of the AIT is dependent on one's perspective. Following the agreed Truce on 11th of July 1921, both sides entered into negotiations with very different views on what was an acceptable outcome. For the Irish full independence and a united Irish republic was sought while the British Ireland had to remain within the Empire. While the treaty failed to deliver either a united ireland or an independent republic what it did deliver was significantly more that the Home Rule that was sought by the majority of Irish a few short years before. This essay will examine the extent to which the treaty can be deemed successful.

P1. Success dependant on strength of the delegation. DeV reasons for not going. Who went. (see sample essay with colour.

P2. Success was hampered by the mis-match of experience (see sample essay with colour)

P3. Lack of prep and a plan by Irish. Failure to explain/understand/sell External Assoication

P4. Dominion status. The pro-treaty view (from sample essay with colour)

P5. Partition

P6. The signing and the terms of the treaty. Additional offers, Change of oath details and fiscal autonomy. Why they signed.

P7. Reaction in the Dail. Pro treaty view. success because...

P8. Reaction in the Dail. Anti treaty view. failure because...

P9. Success and failings of the Treaty seen in years that followed. Boundary commission in 1924.

Commonwealth conferences - Balfour declaration and Statues of Westminister

Conclusion: largely a success. reasons.

To what extent was the AIT controversial?

Intro: It was highly controversial. Provide background of truce and negotiations between DeV and DLGeorge. Many aspects of the negotiations and the treaty itself would prove controversial and it ultimately led to a split in SF and the IRA and contributed to the Civil War.

P1. Choice of delegation. DeV not going. reasons.

P2. Powers of the delegates. Mixed messages, title of Plenipotentiaries.

P3. location and difference of experience of both teams of negotiators. Controversy of British negotiating with murders.

P4. Sovereignty/External association. Irish delegation with little detail to plan and no plan B.

P5. Subcommittees/welsh wizard/divide and conquer 

P6. Partition. Gov of Ireland Act 1920. Griffith agrees to position within the empire in writing. acceptance of boundary commission as it would deliver, took DLG word for it.

P7. Blackmail. threat of war. signing.

P8. controversial seen as it split SF. cabinet, vote. Terms and pro-treaty arguments

P9. Anti-Treaty arguments. Treaty controversial, esp. oath to British crown, betrayal of republic and those who died for it. 6 women. other egs.

P10. vote. DeV's actions. election - contribution to civil war.

Conclusion. Very. recap main points. add some new info re future - boundary commission not delivering what was expected.