Michael Collins, hero or traitor?

Question

Michael Collins was killed 85 years ago today in an ambush by anti-treaty forces at Béal na mBláth in Co Cork. Collins was largely resonsible for making Ireland ungovernable for the Brits during the Tan War of 1918-21 before he signed the Anglo-Irish treaty in the winter of 21/22. This gave Ireland a dominion status, not full independance and left the north of the country under British rule. This treaty split Ireland down the middle with people dividing into pro-treaty and anti-treaty camps with men like Collins, Richard Mulcahy and Arthur Griffith on the pro-treaty side and men like Liam Lynch, Cathal Brugha and Rory O'Connor leading the anti-treaty side. Collins is seen by many as a traitor for his role in implementing the treaty and fighting the anti-treaty side. This treaty also left the Northern Catholics to live under single party Loyalist rule and led to the conflict of 69-94 in the North. Did Michael Collins deserve to die at the hands of fellow Irishmen?

Clint, there are a few innacuracies with your answer but thanks for answering. Before the truce the volunteers were under severe pressure but were able to continue the fight for a considerable time and the British had lost the political will to continue the war. The majority of Irish people did support the treaty but not an overwhelming majority. Large parts of the counrty such as Cork, Tipperary, Kerry, Wexford, Monaghan and others were anti-treaty and this led to civil war from June 22 to May 23, not in 1927, which the pro-treaty side won. The Southern government later cut all remaining constitutional links with Britain and became a Republic in 1948 but this was done legally with no problems. Where many have a problem with Collins is that in June 22 he used borrowed British artillery to remove anti-treaty forces from central Dublin in a battle that matched Easter 1916 in savagery, in this case the anti-treaty leaders were executed, just like the men of 16, but without even a trial

Answer 1

From what I have read Collins never wanted to sign the treaty. de Valera all but forced him to go and sign. It is even reported that when he did sign he commented "I just sign my execution order" or words to that effect. But, being as he was the face of the revolution, I believe he thought it would be symbolic if he went, and gave in to de Valera. de Valera was a little sneaky weasel of a man, IMHO, and he know what a rift the treaty would cause. He positioned himself to be on the side against the treaty, and exploited the rift it caused to his full political advantage. Do I believe Collins was a traitor, hell no. The man fought one of the most powerful armies in the world to the point of capitulation. He is a true hero. But as with most brilliant soldiers, he was torn apart in the political ring.

Answer 2

The north of the country was originally placed in the Irish Free State of 1922 but voted out so they could remain part of the UK.

The Irish Free State was almost an independent nation, in fact present day Canada is similar, they were considered a commonwealth country. This means that the country still had the King as head of state but had an independent Parliament.

Most Irish were happy with this set up, except a few extremists who believed that allowing a British king to still be the head of state was giving in to much (although the Irish rebellion had almost collapsed and would have disappeared a few months later, the request for peace was a surprise to the rebel leaders when the British government offered it in 1922). The opponents of any association with Britain first tried by a political means to gain power and force a new republic but was not supported in but votes and very few made it to the new Irish Parliament. This then cause the 1927 uprising, Irish civil war, which resulted in Ireland renouncing the British monarch as head of state.

Again the North of the country was offered to join a single Irish state but voted against it, preferring to stay part of Britain.

Ireland is separated but not just with a boarder but by faith. The south is mainly catholic and the north protestant. It's this that is the reason for the problems and conflict of 69-94. Once the south had gained it's independence it began a clear out of protestants. The north on the other hand were treating Catholic as second class citizens, imagine the Blacks in America around the 50's. The British Government classed this treatment as illegal and the Protestants took out there frustration on the Catholics. The British Army was sent in to protect the Catholic from the Protestants aggressors, unfortunately the Catholics saw the British army as the British government and began terrorist activity again them.

Did Michael Collins decerve to die, no. I bellieve he created the best situation Ireland could have and the rebels did nothing more than send Ireland into crisis with a backwards effect on its growth rate.

Answer 3

Walk into any Irish Military Barracks and in the Mess you will find a picture of Michael Collins "The Big Fella", you wont see any pictures of that lily-livered paper soldier De Valera.

Don't forget to mention that Michael Collins was ordered by De Valera to attend the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

Dev sent Collins, so has to ruin his (Collins) image in the eyes of the Irish people, and to blame him (Collins) for accepting a partially divided Ireland.

Dev was never a combatant, and never commanded the respect of the men in the field, whereas Collin's was a front-line fighter and commanded great respect amongst the Irish people, and his fellow combatants, and amongst the British Forces.

Dev when captured produced his American passport to avoid getting the death penalty and went into prison.

I personally, do not even consider Dev to have been an Irishman, and remain convinced the Collins was taken out on Dev's orders to ensure no political contest would occur for the leadership in Ireland post War of independence, and Post Civil War.

Dev, was also responsible for selling Ireland out to the Vatican and Catholic Church dictatorship in return of a huge Vatican loan to help "run the country" under Fianna Fail's heavy hand.