Irish Independence refers to the process by which Ireland gained autonomy from British rule, culminating in the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. This movement was fueled by a desire for self-governance and was marked by significant events such as the Easter Rising of 1916 and the subsequent Irish War of Independence from 1919 to 1921. The Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed in December 1921, led to the creation of the Irish Free State, which was a dominion within the British Commonwealth. However, this agreement also sparked a civil war between pro- and anti-Treaty factions, ultimately shaping the future of Ireland and its political landscape.