Nationalist leaders tried to exploit what they had in common with their racist oppressors: the colour of their skin
In February 1921, newspapers in London began to publish stories about how military lorries in Ireland were carrying prisoners as hostages in the hope of deterring attacks by the IRA, the guerrilla army fighting British rule since 1919. Within a year, negotiations would lead to Irish independence and the campaign would be hailed as the first successful revolt against the British empire. But in the spring of 1921 the war appeared to be intensifying. Martial law had been imposed across the southern half of Ireland; if troops or police were shot, houses in the vicinity of the attack were demolished in reprisal.
Dublin had become as dangerous as the provinces: army lorries were ambushed with bombs and revolvers; crowds scattered when Black and Tans – demobilised soldiers recruited to the Irish police force who had gained a reputation for brutality – opened fire indiscriminately in city centre streets.
