A couple of years ago i did a very thorough research regarding the influence of mass media on the general public, more specifically how the lack of proper education and misleading films affected younger generations who took certain films/tv series as historical facts.
Films like Michael Collins and Braveheart (and the devil’s own) were some of the most regarded ones when it came down to irish history (even though braveheart tells the story of a scottish attempt for independence from the english, but anyway..)
The area i chose to do the research was east Boston, obviously for its historical background (having one of the most “irish” populated areas in the united states AND due to the fact that a couple of years back, a journalist from the BBC had been attacked by a gang of so called american “IRA freedom fighters” who were “defending the right for irish freedom under british rule”
Suffice to say, i was shocked by the lack of knowledge these kids had that were fighting for a cause that was “long ago” settled. Sorta.
When i asked them about unionists, most of them (i will have to upload my statistics) didn’t have a clue who they were; all they did “know” was that the IRA (not the Provos or RIRA) was fighting a righteous cause for freedom and they would do “whatever it takes” to keep the “fight” alive.
Since some of them were actual gangsters i was in NO position to throw a book at them and shout “GET A CLUE!!!!!”. Instead i decided to congratulate them on their “fight for freedom” recommend a few somewhat objective films (no way they were gonna actually read something) and get the hell out of there.
Even though this is a very extreme example, it is true that most people influenced by tv series or films (plus the fact that most historians make the historical facts kinda long and boring to read) end up not really getting the whole story, specially when it comes to partition (in my opinion one of them most important turning points in irish history).
So.. whats the TRUTH behind partition, what really happen?
First thing i’m gonna say is.. FORGET ABOUT THE FILM MICHAEL COLLINS. It’s absolutely misleading about the actual facts. I’m not a Dev lover, but any rational human being knows nothing is SO black or white as that film tries to portray.
To understand partition, we need to go a bit further back the declaration of independence of 1916 and talk about home rule (i know, most people find this kinda boring).
Now, to make it clear enough, i’m gonna mention the 3 most historically important moments that lead to partition:
1- Home Rule Act (attempt n3) of 1914
2- GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND ACT OF 1920
3- Anglo Irish treaty of 1921 under the section of the boundary commission.
Ireland.. Politics of War and Peace 