AHC: United Kingdom Wins Irish War of Independence

With a POD after 1900, either before the war or after its start, could the British have won the Irish War of Independence? Civil disobedience and political victories were just as if not more important than military ones in the guerilla war. How would Britain go about the war to keep Ireland in the United Kingdom, or is it impossible at this point?
 
With a POD after 1900, either before the war or after its start, could the British have won the Irish War of Independence? Civil disobedience and political victories were just as if not more important than military ones in the guerilla war. How would Britain go about the war to keep Ireland in the United Kingdom, or is it impossible at this point?

Easy.

Follow the exact same tactics used against the Dutch in the Boer War.
Detention camps in Dublin to separate political dissenters froom the lay citizens.

Maybe even export them to one of the backwater colonies.

It's dirty but it will get the job done.
 
Easy.

Follow the exact same tactics used against the Dutch in the Boer War.
Detention camps in Dublin to separate political dissenters froom the lay citizens.

Maybe even export them to one of the backwater colonies.

It's dirty but it will get the job done.

Or go the other route and not shoot all the prisoners there by making Martyrs of them

I would suspect that while the "Concentrations camps" in South Africa were ultimately successful in bringing the war to a successful conclusion the knowledge of the deaths caused in them through disease and criminal neglect became very well known and would be fresh in peoples minds.

I don't believe that such a thing would have been allowed to happen in the UK particularly when they were engaged in a war against German tyranny for a large part of the IWOI.
 
Or go the other route and not shoot all the prisoners there by making Martyrs of them

I would suspect that while the "Concentrations camps" in South Africa were ultimately successful in bringing the war to a successful conclusion the knowledge of the deaths caused in them through disease and criminal neglect became very well known and would be fresh in peoples minds.

I don't believe that such a thing would have been allowed to happen in the UK particularly when they were engaged in a war against German tyranny for a large part of the IWOI.

How are you defining the War? The period between the Rising and the official outbreak in 1919 wasn't extremely active compared to the official IWOI, which started in 1919.

Yes not shooting the Rising leaders might have avoided OTL, but then you most likely still would have had some form of Civil War between Ulster and the rest. Along with the question of how willing was the rest of the UK willing to support a military occupation of Ireland.
 
How are you defining the War? The period between the Rising and the official outbreak in 1919 wasn't extremely active compared to the official IWOI, which started in 1919.

Yes not shooting the Rising leaders might have avoided OTL, but then you most likely still would have had some form of Civil War between Ulster and the rest. Along with the question of how willing was the rest of the UK willing to support a military occupation of Ireland.

I would imagine given the difference in the size of the British Military a damn sight more willing to commit troops in 1919 to face down unionist threats than it had been during the Curragh Mutiny in early 1914 when HMG had backed down from its intention in giving Ireland Home rule.
 
I would imagine given the difference in the size of the British Military a damn sight more willing to commit troops in 1919 to face down unionist threats than it had been during the Curragh Mutiny in early 1914 when HMG had backed down from its intention in giving Ireland Home rule.

After WW1, I just don't see the UK willing to force an issue with the Ulster Unionists, far more likely they get exactly what they wanted after a three sided War at best. Not too mention the increased UVF combat experience making it much more difficult (remember they had more hardware then the IVF had)
 
Well, if Britain did win, there would be another war at some point. Probably 1930's

Or after having spent considerable amounts of money maintaining a garrison force in the majority of the nation (particularly given the UK's economy), the powers that be end up doing something like OTL's treaties.
 

Devvy

Donor
Well, if Britain did win, there would be another war at some point. Probably 1930's

The Irish general populace seem to have been more bent on self-governance rather then independence; if some significant level of devolution is offered, and the Irish leaders sensibly sentenced for their insurrection, then it would have probably stuck, and Ireland would continue to be part of the UK.

Unfortunately, sensible heads have never prevailed on the British management of Ireland.
 
The Irish general populace seem to have been more bent on self-governance rather then independence; if some significant level of devolution is offered, and the Irish leaders sensibly sentenced for their insurrection, then it would have probably stuck, and Ireland would continue to be part of the UK.

Unfortunately, sensible heads have never prevailed on the British management of Ireland.

Never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

Long term I do wonder if Home Rule had happened (along with NI getting it's way) what would have happened... If the Statute of Westminister happened at the same period would you see growth in a next generation of Nationalism? If WW2 happen OTL and Ireland was at war (and suffering the losses there in) would post war there be demands for more powers of Dominion Status?
 
Never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

Long term I do wonder if Home Rule had happened (along with NI getting it's way) what would have happened... If the Statute of Westminister happened at the same period would you see growth in a next generation of Nationalism? If WW2 happen OTL and Ireland was at war (and suffering the losses there in) would post war there be demands for more powers of Dominion Status?

This is with the gift of hindsight mind you, but I wonder how successful a 'Canadian' model of government would work in the UK. A devolution of powers to regions (Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England). I'm pretty sure the British government would never support it, but it's a neat exercise to see how it would develop if created in the teens and twenties of the 20th century.

Edit: 20th as opposed to 10th century.
 
This is with the gift of hindsight mind you, but I wonder how successful a 'Canadian' model of government would work in the UK. A devolution of powers to regions (Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England). I'm pretty sure the British government would never support it, but it's a neat exercise to see how it would develop if created in the teens and twenties of the 20th century.

Edit: 20th as opposed to 10th century.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Ireland_Act_1914

Home Rule was passed for Ireland in 1914. It was never enacted because the Kaiser wanted a holiday in Belgium.
 
I've often had this discussion with active Republicans. The easiest way to prevent war would've been to have had Jack White more conservative thus gaining Presbyterian support for home rule, ( which stormont actually is) keeping ALL Ireland in UK but yet self governing.
But then we Irish just like to fight, it's our hobby :) :):p
 
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