Abstract
I decided to examine four documents which are both pro and anti-treaty handbills and pamphlets, in order to understand the arguments put forward by those who supported the treaty in 1921 and those who rejected it. This Anglo-Irish treaty, signed by the British and Irish delegations in December 1921, concluded the war of independence started in January 1919 with the Irish Republic's declaration of independence.
For almost three years, the country was divided between Irish nationalists and the British (the British army, the RIC and the Black and Tans). In such dramatic circumstances, this treaty established the Irish Free State as a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth. It also allowed Northern Ireland to opt out of the Irish Free State. Although it apparently provided Ireland a complete control of its resources, this treaty was criticized and rejected by many nationalists who thought it was not sufficient to consider Ireland as independent.
Indeed, the status of dominion comprised in the treaty generated a significant matter for dissent in their minds. As we shall see below with anti-treaty handbills, many people considered that British domination over Ireland would be continued in spite of the treaty. On the other hand, those who defended the treaty considered it was a good compromised which allowed a real independence.
