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Imagining Ireland's Independence: The Debates Over the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 Annotated Edition
Author(s): Jason K. Knirck (Author)
- Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (UK)
- Publication Date: 28 Sept. 2006
- Edition: Annotated
- Language: English
- Print length: 216 pages
- ISBN-10: 0742541479
- ISBN-13: 9780742541474
Book Description
The key turning point in modern Irelands history, the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 has shadowed Irelands political life for decades. In this first book-length assessment of the treaty in over seventy years, Jason Knirck recounts the compelling story of the nationalist politics that produced the Irish Revolution, the tortuous treaty negotiations, and the deep divisions within Sinn FZin that led to the slow unraveling of fragile party cohesion. Focusing on broad ideological and political disputes, as well as on the powerful personalities involved, the author considers the major issues that divided the pro- and anti-treaty forces, why these issues mattered, and the later judgments of historians. He concludes that the treaty debates were in part the result of the immaturity of Irish nationalist politics, as well as the overriding emphasis given to revolutionary unity. A fascinating story in their own right, the treaty debates also open a wider window onto questions of European nationalism, colonialism, state-building, and competing visions of Irish national independence. Treaty Documents
Editorial Reviews
Review
I liked the book and thought it would indeed be useful to students.
Disagreement over the Anglo-Irish Treaty dominated Irish politics for more than half century after the achievement of independence and has not entirely disappeared, especially in terms of the Northern Irish question. Jason Knirck offers an excellent introductory account as well as a well-informed and astute analytical commentary on existing scholarship about the question. Beginning students of Irish history as well as veteran scholars will profit by this book. — John P. McCarthy, Fordham University
About the Author
Jason K. Knirck is assistant professor of history at Central Washington University.
