Anglo-Irish Treaty

The Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed in 1921, established a framework for Irish independence from Britain. It created the Irish Free State, a self-governing entity within the British Empire. The treaty allowed for a level of autonomy, while still retaining some ties to the UK, such as the monarchy. It sparked intense debate in Ireland, leading to a civil war between pro-treaty and anti-treaty factions. Ultimately, it marked a significant step towards full Irish independence, which was later achieved in 1949 when Ireland became a republic.