100 Years ago....
Irish offered Free State
Dec 7, 1921
Shortly after midnight yesterday, British and Irish negotiations finally signed an agreement giving independence to Ireland. Right to the last minute, it was uncertain whether the talks would succeed. At one stage the Prime Minister, David Lloyd George threatened to put down the Irish "rebellion" by force if the treaty was not signed.
The peace treaty has three main provisions:
Twenty-six southern counties are to become independent and will be known as the "Irish Free State".
Six of the eight counties which form historic Ulster will remain part of the UK and continue to send MPs to Westminster.
A boundary commission will draw the dividing line between the north and south with a Council of Ireland to discuss the eventual re-unification of the country.
In effect, the Irish Free State becomes an independent dominion like Canada, with its own Parliament, Army and Navy.
Article from "Chronicle of the 20th Century" ISBN 1 872031 80 3
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