The Irish revolution at the beginning of the 20th century spawned the creation of the modern Irish state. This analysis takes into account the broad range of social, economic and political developments as well as the IRA's campaign of guerilla warfare and the British response to it. The book also presents behind the scenes debate within the British government in the prosecution of its policies in response to the Irish revolt. The Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations are scrutinized, as are the divisions within Irish nationalism which culminated in the Irish Civil War. Attention is also centred upon the development of democratic government in the fledgling Irish Free State and to the effort at nation building which followed the Civil War.