December 6, 1921Primary sourceWell documented
The Anglo-Irish Treaty and the Partition of Ireland
On the timeline · around December 6, 1921 ·
What happened
After the Irish War of Independence, the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 6 December 1921 created the Irish Free State, a self-governing dominion within the British Empire covering twenty-six counties. Six counties in the north opted out to remain part of the United Kingdom, partitioning the island. The treaty's terms split the independence movement and led to a civil war.
Why it matters
Ireland was Britain's oldest colony, and its departure was the first major loss from the modern empire. The partition it created still shapes the politics of Ireland and the United Kingdom today.
Sources
- The National Archives (UK). Irish Partition · Primary source