https://wikimd.com/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Irish_Free_StateIrish Free State - Revision history2026-04-24T12:00:50ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.44.2https://wikimd.com/index.php?title=Irish_Free_State&diff=5803226&oldid=prevPrab: CSV import2024-05-19T22:12:03Z<p>CSV import</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>[[file:United_States_Navy_Band_-_Amhrán_na_bhFiann.ogg|thumb|left]]}}|thumb|left]] [[file:Saorstát_Éireann.png|thumb|left]] [[file:Crowds_at_funeral_procession_of_Michael_Collins_Dublin_1922_(6088554764).jpg|thumb|right]] [[file:Irish_Free_State_passport.jpg|thumb|right]] [[file:Stamp_irl_1922_2N6se.jpg|thumb|right]] The '''Irish Free State''' (''Saorstát Éireann'') was a state established in 1922 under the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] of December 1921. It existed from 6 December 1922 to 29 December 1937. The Free State replaced the [[Irish Republic]] (1919–1922) and was succeeded by [[Ireland]] (Éire), now known as the [[Republic of Ireland]].<br />
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== Establishment ==<br />
The Irish Free State was established as a [[dominion]] of the [[British Commonwealth]] of Nations, similar in status to [[Canada]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], and [[South Africa]]. The [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] was signed on 6 December 1921, and it was ratified by the [[Dáil Éireann]] and the [[British Parliament]] in 1922. The treaty provided for the establishment of the Free State, which would have its own [[parliament]], the [[Oireachtas]], consisting of the [[Dáil Éireann]] (House of Representatives) and the [[Seanad Éireann]] (Senate).<br />
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== Government and Constitution ==<br />
The Irish Free State had a [[bicameral]] legislature, with the [[Dáil Éireann]] as the lower house and the [[Seanad Éireann]] as the upper house. The head of state was the [[Governor-General of the Irish Free State]], who represented the [[British monarch]]. The head of government was the [[President of the Executive Council]], a position equivalent to that of a [[prime minister]].<br />
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The [[Constitution of the Irish Free State]] (''Bunreacht Shaorstát Éireann'') was adopted in 1922. It established the framework for the government and guaranteed certain rights to the citizens. The constitution also allowed for the establishment of a [[Supreme Court of Ireland]] and other courts.<br />
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== Civil War and Political Developments ==<br />
The establishment of the Irish Free State led to the [[Irish Civil War]] (1922–1923) between the pro-treaty forces, who supported the Free State, and the anti-treaty forces, who opposed it. The pro-treaty forces, led by [[Michael Collins]] and [[W. T. Cosgrave]], ultimately prevailed.<br />
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In 1932, the [[Fianna Fáil]] party, led by [[Éamon de Valera]], came to power. De Valera sought to reduce the remaining ties between the Free State and the United Kingdom. In 1937, a new constitution was adopted, which renamed the state "Ireland" (''Éire'') and established it as a [[sovereign]] state.<br />
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== Economy and Society ==<br />
The economy of the Irish Free State was primarily [[agrarian]], with agriculture being the mainstay. The state faced significant economic challenges, including the need for land reform and the development of industry. Socially, the Free State was predominantly [[Roman Catholic]], and the church played a significant role in education and social services.<br />
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== Legacy ==<br />
The Irish Free State laid the foundation for modern [[Ireland]]. Its establishment marked the end of British rule in most of Ireland and the beginning of self-governance. The transition from the Free State to the Republic of Ireland was completed with the adoption of the 1937 constitution and the declaration of the Republic in 1949.<br />
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== See also ==<br />
* [[History of Ireland (1801–1923)]]<br />
* [[Irish Civil War]]<br />
* [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]]<br />
* [[Constitution of the Irish Free State]]<br />
* [[Governor-General of the Irish Free State]]<br />
* [[President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State]]<br />
* [[Fianna Fáil]]<br />
* [[Éamon de Valera]]<br />
* [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)]]<br />
* [[W. T. Cosgrave]]<br />
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== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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== External links ==<br />
{{Commons category|Irish Free State}}<br />
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[[Category:History of Ireland]]<br />
[[Category:1922 establishments in Ireland]]<br />
[[Category:1937 disestablishments in Ireland]]<br />
[[Category:Former countries in Europe]]<br />
[[Category:States and territories established in 1922]]<br />
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1937]]<br />
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