The Anglo-Irish War (1919–1921): Just War or Unjust Rebellion?

Abstract

The Anglo-Irish War (1919–1921) has rarely been discussed or analysed in terms of just war theory; however, at the time both its defenders and detractors employed principles which are recognizably derived from just war principles, even if in most cases they did not invoke the theory by name. Despite considerable variety within each group in terms of their application of just war principles and their interpretation of the historical events, the Republican commentators tend to focus almost exclusively on jus ad bellum (just cause), whereas the Imperialists tend to concentrate on jus in bellum (just conduct).