histeriacomic:

CONTINUING ON FROM LAST TIME!!

What we see here is, kinda, the end of the Irish War for Independence. That paper England is handing over to Ireland is the Anglo-Irish Treaty. (I’d like to take this quick moment to point out that the Irish War for Independence was also known as the Anglo Irish War, and the (Black and) Tan War.)

What it essentially did was—hmm. The problem with the treaty was—nngh. Okay, good things out of the way, first: Ended the war. Yay! Provided the possibility of an autonomous Northern Ireland. Yay! Reduced number of British troops in Ireland. Yay! Ireland was no longer part of the UK. Yay! Everybody is as happy as a duck on a floaty. Yeah, that’s sarcasm. The, “Eh,” things: Ireland would no longer be part of the UK, but it was still part of the British Dominion, with the British Monarch still its Head of State. Ireland would also pay proportional debt to Britain from the war. So the kinda-dick-moves-but-should-have-been-expected-because-that’s-just-how-wars-and-treaties-work-and-we-have-to-get-used-to-it things: Britain would still control ports for security purposes. Ehh. The treaty would stand superior in Irish law.

The treaty would stand superior in Irish law. What this meant was that no matter what happened, this treaty would stand above anything. :| Wow.

So the really super crappy thing about this treaty was that it was signed by Irish plenipotentiaries, which is just a really big word that means “[Irish] dudes are gonna sign this without having to reference their superiors shit is gonna go down oh my god it is not going to be pretty.” Though there’s no comic for it, I’ll just say that it was because of this (rather, pro-treaty supporters and anti-treaty supporters) that Ireland was met with a civil war between 1922-1923. (Spoiler alert: The people who didn’t like the treaty lost the war.)

BUT back to Norn because I love him and he’s adorable and growing up.

Now. I didn’t really get a feel for how the people of Northern Ireland felt about becoming an autonomous nation within the UK, but considering that they took up the offer within two days - out of 30 - I think it’s safe to say they were just fine with stickin’ with the UK. And for understandable reason. (I say this only for the sake of the era.)

Remember how Ulster Plantation was settled by Scotland and England? Those who did go to Ulster were largely Protestant. People in Ireland were generally Catholic. So ideas clashed, culture clashed—not very pretty. Not to say that there weren’t any Catholics in Northern Ireland, or Protestants in Ireland, because … there were. Just not a huge amount.

Leading into the following comic, it is my opinion that, and this may just be the hopeless and idealistic American within me talking, we should never have to live in a world where we fear being hated or discriminated against for our race, creed, language, size, sexuality—the list goes on. After all of these amazing civil rights advancements, all over the world, in the 20th century, you would think that hey, people might start getting along, right?

Oh; it is a very naïve thought.

(I’d like to point out that I am one of those naïve people.)

Oh look! Links!

A quick, small video that touches on something I didn’t cover. It’s got some pretty cool background music, and footage. *A*
More informationnnn!
Some important people giving some info and their opinions on the times!

!!!

Stay tuned for an important Public Service Announcement!