Black and Tans facts for kids

The Black and Tans were a special group of British soldiers. They were sent to Ireland between 1920 and 1921. Their main job was to help the police stop a revolution. This revolution was led by the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Most of the Black and Tans were World War I veterans. They got their name from their uniforms. These uniforms had light khaki trousers and dark tunics. While their main goal was to fight the IRA, they also caused problems for regular Irish people.

Who Were the Black and Tans?

The Black and Tans were a group of former soldiers. They joined the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) during a difficult time in Ireland. This was during the Irish War of Independence. Many of these men had fought in World War I. They were looking for work after the war ended. The British government decided to send them to Ireland. Their job was to help the police control the growing unrest.

Why Were They Formed?

Ireland was trying to become independent from Britain. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) was fighting for this freedom. The regular police force, the RIC, was struggling to deal with the IRA. So, in 1920, the British government decided to recruit more men. They wanted to strengthen the police. These new recruits were called the Black and Tans. They were meant to help bring peace and order.

What Did They Do?

The Black and Tans were sent to different parts of Ireland. Their main task was to fight against the IRA. They would go on patrols and search for IRA members. However, they often used very harsh methods. They were known for being tough. Sometimes, they would attack towns and villages. This was often in response to IRA actions. These attacks caused a lot of fear among the Irish people. They were seen as a symbol of British control.

Their Uniform and Name

The name "Black and Tans" came from their unusual uniforms. When they first joined, there weren't enough regular police uniforms. So, they were given a mix of army and police clothes. They wore dark green or black police tunics. But they had light khaki trousers, like army uniforms. This mix of dark and light colors made them look different. People started calling them the "Black and Tans" because of this. The name stuck and became very well known.

When Did They End?

The Black and Tans were active for about two years. The conflict in Ireland eventually led to a truce. This truce happened in July 1921. After that, a treaty was signed in December 1921. This treaty created the Irish Free State. With the new Irish Free State, the Black and Tans were no longer needed. They were officially disbanded in 1922. Their time in Ireland is a significant part of Irish history.

Images for kids

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  A Black and Tan in Dublin, smoking and carrying a Lewis gun, February 1921

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  A group of Black and Tans and Auxiliaries outside the London and North Western Hotel in Dublin following an attack by the IRA, April 1921

See also

In Spanish: Black and Tans para niños