The Partition of Ireland 1921 — Knowledge Organiser (P5–P7)

Key vocabulary

1. 1 Partition The division of Ireland into two separate states in 1921. Northern Ireland (6 counties) remained part of the United Kingdom. The remaining 26 counties became the Irish Free State.
2. 2 Unionism The political view that Ireland (or Northern Ireland) should remain part of the United Kingdom. Unionists are mainly (though not exclusively) Protestant.
3. 3 Nationalism The political view that Ireland should be independent from Britain — and, for most nationalists, that the island should eventually be united as one country.
4. 4 Government of Ireland Act (1920) The British law that proposed dividing Ireland into two self-governing regions — 'Southern Ireland' (26 counties) and 'Northern Ireland' (6 counties), each with their own Parliament.
5. 5 Why 6 counties? The Ulster Unionist majority could most safely be maintained in 6 counties (Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Tyrone). Nine-county Ulster would have had a smaller unionist majority. e.g. Co. Cavan, Monaghan, and Donegal (Ulster but majority nationalist) were excluded
6. 6 Northern Ireland Parliament (Stormont) The Northern Ireland Parliament, established 1921 at Stormont, Belfast. Governed NI until Direct Rule from Westminster was imposed in 1972 during the Troubles.

• ▶ NORTHERN IRELAND (1921): remained in UK, with its own Parliament at Stormont. Industry (shipbuilding, linen) stronger than in the south. Unionist-dominated government.
• ▶ IRISH FREE STATE (1922): 26-county state with dominion status. Constitution in 1937 created 'Ireland' (Éire). Republic declared 1949. Left the Commonwealth.
• ▶ THE MINORITY IN EACH STATE: Catholic nationalists were a minority in NI. Protestant unionists were a minority in the Free State. Both minorities faced discrimination in the early decades.
• ▶ THE BORDER: at first strictly guarded. Roads were blocked, customs checks operated. Over decades, the border became invisible — then, after the Good Friday Agreement, entirely open.
• ▶ TODAY: the partition question remains live. Northern Ireland now has a slim nationalist/republican majority in its Assembly. A referendum on Irish unity is a real possibility.
• ▶ DISCUSSION QUESTION: why do you think Ireland was divided? Was partition a good solution or a bad one? What would have happened if Ireland had remained united?