Divisions in Sinn Fein were the most important reason for the outbreak of the Irish Civil War in 1922. How far do you agree with this verdict?

Introduction:

It has been argued that divisions in Sinn Fein were the most important reason for the outbreak of the Irish Civil War in 1922. Indeed, the only uniting factor within Sinn Fein was the ultimate aim of Irish independence; otherwise, Sinn Fein was essentially an umbrella organisation embracing all forms of advanced nationalism. These divisions especially came to the fore in reference to the Anglo-Irish Treaty, and whether or not to agree to it, especially with regards to the oath of allegiance to the British king. However, other reasons have been highlighted as the main contributing factor to the outbreak of the Irish Civil War in 1922, notably the split of the IRA into the Anti and Pro-Treaty factions, over the Irish Anglo-Treaty with a particular emphasis on the oath of allegiance.

An example of a main body paragraph:

Sinn Fein only became a large, connected organisation at the Ard Fheis in October 1917. Before this, advanced nationalists were broken into a range of different groups with divergent ideas about how Ireland should be governed. For example, party leader Arthur Griffith was contented for Ireland to remain within the British Empire, whereas Eamon DeValera was a committed Irish republican, who wanted to sever all ties with the British. The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 caused these differences to reemerge. Indeed, Frank O’Connor highlights that long before the Treaty, within Sinn Fein there were ‘two words, two philosophies, running in very doubtful harness’. Divisions within Sinn Fein were exacerbated by the Treaty. The Treaty caused deep divisions among nationalists in Ireland. It was the subject of furious debates in the Dail – the assembly set up by the Sinn Fein party after its election victory in December 1918. Those who favoured acceptance argued that the powers it granted made it worthy of support; that it would lead to Irish unity, as Collins stated ‘it grants us the freedom to achieve independence’; that it had the support of most Irish people and that the only alternative was renewed war with Britain. In addition, Sean Hales TD, who was later murdered in the civil war, was cited at the time ‘in one year or ten Ireland will regain that freedom which is her destiny’. However, others within the party were not so sure. Critics within the party argued that it failed to secure what the Irish had been fighting for since 1916, and many were outraged with the oath of allegiance to the British King, who would remain head of state. Richard English has highlighted that the pro-treaty movement demonstrated ‘mature pragmatism rather than dreamy, unrealistic idealism’ while the ‘anti-treaty arguments were often cast in high moralistic terms’. It could be stated that this fundamental split within Sinn Fein is what led to the outbreak of hostilities