184
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 22:
Line 22: + + + − During the period between the Irish Civil War and [[World War II]], the IRA was largely engaged in social issues, which they approached from a left-wing perspective. While a number of IRA men joined the socialist and communist [[International Brigades]] during the [[Spanish Civil War]], they engaged in generally non-violent protest in Ireland. This approach was unpopular, partially due to the influence of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] in Ireland, and IRA membership dwindled. − − + − Also during this era, IRA Chief of Staff [[Charles Kerins]] was hanged at Dublin's Mountjoy Prison on December 1, 1944. He had been convicted by court-martial of the machine gun slaying of a Detective Sergeant [[Denis O'Brien]] of the [[Garda Siochana]]. Kerins is revered as a martyr by militant Irish nationalists to this day.+
→World War II
===Civil War===
===Civil War===
The IRA leadership as well as its rank and file were deeply divided by the treaty. Pro-treaty members believed that it was a stepping stone to the independence they had sought, while anti-treaty members felt the treaty was a betrayal of the ideals that had motivated them to fight. These divisions ultimately led to a split in the IRA and civil war. The pro-treaty faction was reorganised as the Irish National Army, while the anti-treaty group retained the IRA label. The split ultimately led to a bloody civil war that ended in 1923 with the pro-treaty forces victorious.
The IRA leadership as well as its rank and file were deeply divided by the treaty. Pro-treaty members believed that it was a stepping stone to the independence they had sought, while anti-treaty members felt the treaty was a betrayal of the ideals that had motivated them to fight. These divisions ultimately led to a split in the IRA and civil war. The pro-treaty faction was reorganised as the Irish National Army, while the anti-treaty group retained the IRA label. The split ultimately led to a bloody civil war that ended in 1923 with the pro-treaty forces victorious.
===Between the Wars===
During the period between the Irish Civil War and [[World War II]], the IRA was largely engaged in social issues, which they approached from a left-wing perspective. While a number of IRA men joined the Marxist [[International Brigades]] during the [[Spanish Civil War]], they engaged in generally non-violent protest in Ireland. This approach was unpopular, partially due to the influence of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] in Ireland, and IRA membership dwindled.
===World War II===
===World War II===
In 1938, however, the IRA began preparing plans to return to war with a bombing campaign in England. The IRA also sought the assistance of [[Nazi Germany]], but in the end the Abwehr provided little assistance.<ref>Tim Pat Coogan, "The IRA: A History," Chapter 9, "The IRA and the Nazis," pages 151-162.</ref> The IRA campaign had little effect, largely due to repressive measures taken by the British and Irish governments.
In 1938, however, the IRA began preparing plans to return to war with a bombing campaign in England. The IRA also sought the assistance of [[Nazi Germany]], but in the end the Abwehr provided little assistance.<ref>Tim Pat Coogan, "The IRA: A History," Chapter 9, "The IRA and the Nazis," pages 151-162.</ref> The IRA campaign had little effect, largely due to repressive measures taken by the British and Irish governments.
At the time of the Second World War, the [[Irish Free State]] was under the governance of [[Eamon de Valera]] and the Fianna Fail Party. Faced with an upsurge of terrorist violence, de Valera began interning IRA members without trial in the [[Curragh Camp]] in County Kildare. IRA men accused of capital crimes were tried by military tribunals and in some cases received the [[death penalty]].<ref> Tim Pat Coogan, "The IRA: A History," pages 143-150.</ref>
At the time of the Second World War, the [[Irish Free State]] was under the governance of [[Eamon de Valera]] and the Fianna Fail Party. Faced with an upsurge of terrorist violence, de Valera began interning IRA members without trial in the [[Curragh Camp]] in County Kildare. IRA men accused of capital crimes were tried by military tribunals and in some cases received the [[death penalty]].<ref> Tim Pat Coogan, "The IRA: A History," Chapter 8, "The Years of the Curragh," pages 143-150.</ref>
The most famous such incident of this era involved IRA Chief of Staff [[Charles Kerins]], who was hanged at [[Dublin]]'s Mountjoy Prison on December 1, 1944. He had been convicted by court-martial of the machine gun slaying of a Detective Sergeant [[Denis O'Brien]] of the [[Garda Siochana]]. Kerins is revered as a martyr by many militant Irish nationalists to this day.
===Border Campaign===
===Border Campaign===