The Irish Republican Army (IRA) formed in 1919. The IRA is a secret military
organization whose goal is to seek and unite the Independent Republic of Ireland with
Northern Ireland, which is part of Great Britain. The IRA was formed as part of a
movement to gain Independence for Ireland. The IRA began guerilla warfare for
Independence in 1919 also. Southern Ireland leaders and Britain had signed a treaty in
1921, this treaty created the Irish Free State from 23 southern counties and 3 counties
of Ulster ("Northern" World Book 530). This treaty stated that Ireland would be a self-
governing country owning allegiance to the British Crown. This brought about the Irish
Free State. The treaty led an effect on the IRA, it split the IRA into two groups, one led
by Michael Collins, who accepted the treaty and became part of the army of the Irish
Free State. The other group led by Eamon De Valera, rejected the treaty because it did
not give complete independence from Britain and union with Northern Ireland ("Ireland"
World Book 433). The division of Ireland was later opposed by the Irish Free State. So
in 1921, armed groups crossed into Northern Ireland and attacked British government
installations. Many frequent attacks were carried out by the IRA during the 1920's,
during World War II (1939-1945) and between 1956-1962. Breaking out in 1922 was a
civil war, the irregulars were defeated, in 1923. The irregulars were known as Eamon De
Valera's group who broke away from Michael Collin's group after the Anglo-Irish Treaty
was agreed to. Although the irregulars were defeated they did not give up, they
continued as an under-ground organization.