Political Developments in the 20th Century Ireland

Political groups in early 20th century Ireland

1.Ireland was ruled directly from London. Irish members of parliament (MPs) sat in parliament in Westminster. Lord Lieutenant represented King of England in Ireland.

2.Two main political groups:

Nationalists wanted some form of self-government with a parliament in Dublin.

Unionists wanted to maintain the Union with Britain.

Nationalists 

The Home Rule Party (AKA Irish Parliamentary Party) was the largest nationalist group. Led by John Redmond.

Home Rulers wanted a parliament in Dublin to deal with internal Irish affairs.

The parliament in London would deal with external affairs.

Nationalists 

The Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) was a secret revolutionary organisation.

The IRB wanted complete independence from Britain.

Wanted to establish a republic. Wanted to use physical force to achieve their aims.


Sinn Féin founded by Arthur Griffith

Sinn Féin wanted a dual monarchy for Britain and Ireland. They wanted to develop Irish Industry by using tariffs (customs duties) to protect new industry.

Unionists

The Unionist Party led by Edward Carson and James Craig.

Unionists were opposed to Home Rule.

They said ‘Home Rule is Rome Rule’ – that Catholics would discriminate against Protestants.

They believed that Belfast’s industries would be ruined if Ireland won Home Rule.

The Labour Movement

1.Labour movement led by Big Jim Larkin & James Connolly.

2.Larkin& Connolly founded Irish Labour Party to represent workers in a new Home Rule Parliament.

3.Larkin founded ITGWU (Irish Transport & General Workers Union) to organise unskilled workers. The led to clashes with William Martin Murphy &the Employers Federation.

4.Strike and Lockout: Larkin planned a strike of tramway workers for Horse Show Week in Dublin in 1913. Murphy & the employers locked out the workers. The Strike and Lockout last five months & the workers went back to work without achieving their aims.

5.Connolly founded the Irish Citizen Army to protect workers during the Lockout.

The Home Rule Crisis, 1912-14

1.In Britain, the Liberal Party favoured Home Rule for Ireland, but the Conservative Party was opposed to it.

2.After elections in 1910, Liberal Party was in government in Britain, but it needed the support of the Irish Home Rule Party. In return for that support , the Liberal Party brought in a Home Rule Bill for Ireland in 1912.

3.The House of Lords would only be able to delay the passing of the Bill for two years so that by 1914 Ireland would have a Home Rule parliament.

How did Unionists organise opposition to Home Rule?

1.Carson & Craig held demonstrations against Home Rule.

2.Unionists signed the Solemn League and Covenant. They swore to defend the union with Britain by all means.

3.Unionists founded the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). They imported arms and ammunition from Germany through the port of Larne.

4.The Conservative Party supported the efforts of the unionists.

5.Curragh Mutiny: Officers of the British army in the Curragh said they would resign rather than enforce Home Rule in Ulster.

6.Nationalists organised the Irish Volunteer Force, led by Eoin McNeill. The Irish Volunteers brought in arms through Howth, Co Dublin.

War – the end of the Crisis

1.Attempts at getting a compromise between both sides failed, so it looked likely that Ireland was heading for civil war. Then the First World War broke out & both nationalists & unionists agreed to help the war effort.

2.The Home Rule Bill became law, but it was postponed until after the war was over.




Ireland in World War I

1.Unionists supported the war effort & joined the British army.

2.Nationalists: The Irish Volunteers split, most following Redmond, who wanted Irishmen to fight in the war.

3.A quarter of a million Irishmen joined the British army in World War I. They joined the Irish Guards, Royal Munster Fusiliers & other regiments. They fought in the Western Front in France and Gallipoli in Turkey.

4.The Lusitania was sunk by a German U-Boat (submarine) off the Old Head of Kinsale in 1915.

The 1916 Rising

1.IRB planned the 1916 Rising. They set up a Military Council to organise the rising. The Council included Patrick Pearse, Thomas Clarke & Séan McDermott.

They set Easter Sunday 1916 as the day for the rising.

They persuaded James Connolly & the Irish Citizens Army to join them.





3. The Military Council gave a document to McNeill – called the Castle Document – which was said that the British government was planning to arrest the leaders.  - McNeill authorised manoeuvres for the Irish Volunteers, but he cancelled them when he found out the document was a forgery.

4. Pearse & the others decided to go ahead with a rising in Dublin on Easter Monday, 1916.

They took over key buildings such as the GPO. But they were easily defeated & they surrendered after a week.

The British government sent a gunboat up the Liffey which bombarded the GPO.

What were the results of the 1916 Rising?

1.15 of the leaders were executed, including Pearse & Connolly.

2.Over 500 people were killed & 2,500 injured; £3 million in damage was done to property.

3.British imposed military (martial) law & interned (imprisoned without trial) 2,000 people.

4.Dubliners angered by destruction caused by Rising & resulting food shortages. But British actions – interning many & executing the leaders of the Rising – changed the minds of many. They began to support the actions & aims of the leaders of the 1916 Rising.

5.The British government called it the Sinn Féin Rising even though Sinn Féin had nothing to do with the Rising. Afterwards, Sinn Féin’s popularity rose as younger members joined.



Easter Rising Locations

The rise of Sinn Féin

1.Éamonn de Valera became president of Sinn Féin & president of the Irish Volunteers.

2.Sinn Féin’s popularity grew because:

The British government tried to impose conscription in Ireland & Sinn Féin organised opposition to it.

British government arrested Sinn Féin leaders in the so-called German plot.

Sinn Féin won by-elections.

1918 general election

In this election Sinn Féin became the most popular party in Ireland.

They now demanded a republic & they followed a policy of absentionism (abstaining from parliament in London).



War of Independence 1919-21

1.In 1919, Sinn Féin set up Dáil Éireann & an alternative government. De Valera was elected president of the Dáil, Griffith became Minister for Home Affairs & Michael Collins became Minister for Finance.    -They declared a republic, they asked the Paris Peace Conference to recognise it & set up Sinn Féin courts.  -War

2.Local IRA units began a guerrilla campaign against British forces. In Jan 1919, the first attack was against the RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) patrol in Soloheadbeg, Co Tippearary.

1.They attacked small RIC barracks in order to take its arms & ammunition

Michael Collins was Director of Intelligence – he organised a spy network. He also organised the Squad, a group whose job was to kill spies & detectives.

The IRA organised flying colums – small groups of armed men who planned ambushes. In Cork, Tom Barry organised the Crossbarry & Kilmichael ambushes.

How did the British government respond?

David Lloyd George, the British prime minister, organised the Black & Tans (ex-soldiers) & the Auxiliaries (ex-officers) to fight the IRA.

They carried out reprisals against families and towns.



Eighty IRA members were either captured or killed when the Dublin brigade attacked the Custom House in Dublin.

Peace

1.Both sides now wanted peace. The IRA was running out of arms & ammunition while the British government was criticised at home & abroad for the actions of the Black & Tans & the Auxiliaries.

2.De Valera came back from America, where he spent most of the War of Independence. He agreed  a truce with Lloyd George, which came into effect in July 1921.

The Anglo-Irish Treaty, 1921

1.Sinn Féin went a delegation led by Griffith & Collins to London to negotiate a treaty with the British government. De Valera refused to go.

2.The British delegation was more experienced; it was led by Lloyd George & Winston Churchill.

3.The Terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty on 6 December 1921 were:

Ireland was now knows as the Irish Free State.

It was a member of the (dominion) of the British Commonwealth.

Members of parliament (TD’s) in Dublin would have to take an Oath of Allegiance to the British King.

Three ports – the Treaty ports – at Cobh, Berehaven &Lough Swilly would be used by the British Navy.

A Boundary Commission would be set up to decide the border between North and South.



Treaty Debates

1.The Dáil was divided over the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.



Pro-Treaty: Griffith & Collins

The IRA was too weak to continue fighting

The Treaty was a stepping stone to full Independence.



Anti-Treaty: de Valera, Cathal Brugha

The Treaty did not give Ireland a full republic

The Oath of Allegiance recognised the king



2. The Dáil voted in favour of the Treaty by 64 votes to 57.

 

The Civil War, 1922-23

1.The Pro-Treaty and Anti-Treaty sides grew further apart.   



2.The Anti-Treaty side took over the Four Courts Dublin & captured a Free State general.    -The Free State army, led by Collins, bombarded the Four Courts. The Free State army defeated the Irregulars in Dublin. 



3. Then the Regulars attacked the Irregulars in the Munster Republic. They captured Cork.

Griffith died from a brain haemorrhage. Collins was killed in a ambush at Béal na mBláth, Co Cork.

4. Cosgrave & O’Higgins took over the Free State government. The Civil War got very bitter. It ended when de Valera got the IRA to call a ceasefire in May 1923.

The Results of the Civil War

1.Over 900 killed. £30 million of damage to property.

2.Great bitterness between Pro-Treaty & Anti-Treaty sides for many years after the Civil War.

3.Country lost able leaders, including Collins & Griffith.

4.Two main political parties owe their origins to Pro- and Anti-Treaty sides in the Civil War.


Pro-Treaty  > Cumann na nGaedheal > Fine Gael

Anti-Treaty> Sinn Féin        > Fianna Fáil




The New State
Cumman na nGaedheal in power, 1922-32

Cumann na nGaedheal formed the government of the Irish Free State from 1922 to 1932. Led by W.T. Cosgrave.



Law and Order

-The Constitution set up two houses of parliament; the Dáil and Seanad; the king’s representatives in Ireland was called the Governor-General.

-Government set up the Garda Síochána, court system was re-organised and a Public Safety Act gave the government wide powers of arrest.

-Free Sate government had to overcome the threat of the Army Mutiny in 1925. The victory of the government helped establish democracy in the country.



The Economy

-The Cumann na nGaedheal government improved agriculture by improving animal breeding methods, providing loans for farmers & keeping taxes low.

-The government established the Shannon Scheme to build a hydroelectric station. The ESB was set up to build an electricity grid for Ireland.


-

What was the Shannon Scheme?

This was a hydroelectric plant built on the Shannon at Ardnacrusha to generate electricity for the country. It cost £5 million and it was one of the largest building projects in the state. The ESB was set up to construct a grid to take the electricity around the country.


Relations with Britain

-The Boundary Commission was set up to decide the border between the North and South. Nationalists hoped that the Commission would make the North of Ireland so small that if would be forced to join the South. Instead, the Commission only suggested small changes to the border so the Irish and British governments agreed not to make any changes.

-Ireland in the Commonwealth: Cumann na nGaedheal worked to gain more independence for Ireland. The British government passed the Statute of Westminster 1931, which allowed Ireland to change any laws on Ireland passed by the British parliament.



Decline of Cumann na nGaedheal

-De Valera founded Fianna Fáil when Sinn Féin would not agree to go into Dáil Éireann.

-Why did Cumann na nGaedheal decline in popularity?

-Great Depression affected Ireland & unemployment increased.

-Government cut pay of teachers & gardaí.

-De Valera & Fianna Fáil won the 1932 general election.



De Valera and Fianna Fáil in Power


}  1932-1939

}  Dismantling the Treaty relations with Britain

De Valera used the Statute of Westminster to give greater independence to Ireland. He did this by dismantling the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

}  He abolished the Oath of Allegiance & the office of governor-general.

}  He removed the King as Head of State.

}  He wrote a new constitution, which gave greater power to the Irish people.

What did de Valeras constitution do?

It changed the name of the country from the Irish Free State to Ireland. It made the President head of state. It claimed the right to rule over Northern Ireland. The head of government was now called Taoiseach.



The IRA and the Blueshirts

1.  De Valera released IRA prisoners when he came to power. IRA members attacked meetings of Cumann na nGaedheal. These were protected by the Army Comrades Association (ACA).

}  The ACA were also known as the Blueshirts.

2. Eoin ODuffy, former Garda Commissioner, became head of the Blueshirts. He favoured the ideas of Mussolini.

}  When he planned a march to Dublin to commemorate Griffith and Collins, it was banned by de Valera.

3. The Blueshirts joined with Cumann na nGaedheal to form a new political party, Fine Gael.

}  ODuffy became its leader but was soon replaced by Cosgrave. Instead, he went off to Spain with 800 supporters to help Franco in the Spanish Civil War.

4.  Relations between de Valera and the IRA worsened because of IRA murders and shootings. De Valera banned the IRA



The Economic War relations with Britain

1.  De  Valera refused to pay taxes due to England over land purchases. Britain imposed taxes on Irish cattle imports and de Valera imposed taxes on English goods.        

-        Eventually both sides came to an agreement the Anglo Irish Agreement, 1938.

2. Terms of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, 1938:

}  De Valera to pay lump sum of £10 million pound due for land purchases.

}  Ireland got back 3 ports Cobh, Berehaven & Lough Swilly.

3. The Economy

}  Dev brought in policy of protectionism ( putting tariffs on imports to protect Irish industry).

}  Irish Sugar Company and Aer Lingus were also set up.

 
The Emergency – Ireland in World War II
1.       Ireland remained neutral in World War II because it wanted to stay independent and also it was a small country.
2.       De Valera passed the Emergency Powers Act, which gave it great power to control the country.
3.       Irish neutrality was put in danger by the IRA, which tried to get help from Germany. But de Valera imprisoned the IRA leaders.
4.       Germany planned Operation Green (the code name for the invasion of Ireland). But the distance to Ireland was too far. German bombers bombed the North Strand in Dublin, killing 34 people in 1941.
5.       Churchill, prime minister of Britain, said Britain would end partition if Ireland joined the war. Dev rejected Churchill’s offer.
6.       The USA was afraid that Ireland would be used as a base for German spies.
The Economy – shortages and rationing
7.       Seán Lemass, Minister of Supplies, got ships to bring supplies to Ireland. Severe shortages occurred, so rationing of tea, sugar, clothes & footwear were introduced.
8.       Electricity & gas were rationed. Affected factories, so workers were laid off & unemployment increased.
9.       Some went to England to get work in war industries or in the British army.
Northern Ireland in the war
In contrast to the South, Northern Ireland was involved directly in the war.
·         Ships, planes, parachutes & shells were all produced for the war.
·         Northern Ireland also contributed to patrolling North Atlantic to protect shipping from U-boat attack.
·         Later, the USA brought soldiers & sailors to Northern Ireland to prepare for D-Day.
·         Belfast was bombed on a number of occasions in early 1941. Shipbuilding was disrupted, but the worst effects were the numbers of civilians who were killed.
·         Conscription was not introduced to Northern Ireland but thousands still joined the British forces.
People in History: A person living in Southern or Northern Ireland during the war years, 1939-45


This unusual question appeared on the 2009 Higher Level paper, and could appear again in either paper in the future. The first thing to keep in mind about it is it's asking you to pick Northern or Southern Ireland. We'll go with Southern Ireland (the Irish Free State in other words) because there's a little more to write about there.
·                     As usual, introduce yourself (this will be first person) and briefly give somebackground: that war broke out, that the government enacted theEmergency Powers Act (explain what that is) and why Ireland stayedneutral. Say that it is 1945 and the war has just ended. That will mean you've had a lot of experience of life like this already.
·                     Next talk about the shortages you have experienced. Don't forget to mention your family and community as well, everyone stayed very close during this time. Talk about rationing: what was Lemass' job? What were the rationing books for? What did glimmer men do? What kind of people used the black market?
·                     Next, mention censorship. What did the government censor? Why?
·                     Now talk about being neutral during those years. Were the IRA around? What did de Valera do to them? You must be glad Britain gave back the Treaty ports. What would have happened if they hadn't? Do you live in Dublin or know anyone there? Heard about the North Strand?
·                     Next, talk about work. Maybe you or someone in your family are in the Irish army. What are they doing? Do you know anyone who's emigrated for work? Anyone who's joined the British army?
·                     Finally, finish up with Churchill and de Valera's speeches. What do you think of them? How does the future look? Will rationing end?

So, in short...
1.            Introduction and Background (neutrality etc.)
2.            Shortages and rationing: ration books, Lemass, glimmer men, the black market.
3.            Censorship: What and why?
4.            Being neutral: The IRA, The Treaty Ports, North Strand.
5.            Work: The Irish army, emigration, the British army.
6.            Speeches: How people reacted.
Don't...
·                     write about Northern Ireland if you pick Souther Ireland, and vice versa.
·                     include anything irrelevant (unimportant).
·                     spend too long on one topic.
Southern Ireland during WW2

Ireland in the 1950s and 1960s
The First Inter-Party government
1.       De Valera lost the 1948 general election. A new government, the first Inter-Party government took over. It was led by John A.Costello (Fine Gael), and it was a coalition government composed of Fine Gael, the Labour Party, Clann na Poblachta and others.
2.       The First Inter-Party government declared Ireland a republic and tool Ireland out of the British Commonwealth.
3.       The government began a scheme of rural electrification to bring electricity to homes and farms.
4.       Dr Noel Browne, Minister for Health, introduced a scheme to bring TB (tuberculosis) under control. He also introduced the Mother and Child Scheme, which was a plan to provide free medical treatment to children under 16 and to mothers. But he failed to get this passed in the Dáil.
5.       Ireland experienced a great deal of unemployment & emigration in the 1950s.
6.       The Population declined.
7.       Dev resigned as Taoiseach & leader of Fianna Fáil in 1959. He was elected as president of Ireland and served for 14 years.                   
·         Seán Lemass took over as Taoiseach.
8.       The Economy
a.       Lemass introduced the First Programme for Economic Expansion to try to revive the Irish economy.
b.      The programme encouraged exports & gave tax concessions to foreign companies to set up factories in Ireland.
c.       More jobs were created and the population increased.
9.       Education: Free secondary education was introduced by Minister for Education Donagh O’Malley. New schools were built and new courses introduced.
10.   Northern Ireland: Lemass went to Northern Ireland at the invitation of Terence O’Neill, the Northern prime minister. O’Neill returned the visit to Dublin. Relations between North & South improved.
11.   Social change in the 1960; People were better off.
a.       RTÉ was set up & television brought many new ideas into the country.
b.      New towns & new shopping centres were built.
Ireland in the EEC
1.       Ireland became a member of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973.
·         Irish farmers got guaranteed prices for their products & grants under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
·         American companies were attracted to Ireland to set up factories here in order to gain access to the wider European market.
·         Some Irish factories closed due to foreign competition.
·         Ireland got grants for job training and road improvements.
2.       Overall Ireland benefited from membership of the European Economic Community.





Home Rule Test

The Easter Rising and After Test

War of Independence & Civil War Test

Cumann na nGaedheal in Power Test

The New State

Ireland during WW2

Inter Party Government to Modern Ireland




Twentieth Century Irish History

Ireland in 1900 was ruled from London and the Union flag flew over all the important public buildings and post-boxes were coloured red! By 1921, this had all changed and an Irish Free State had been created. However, this new State was still a part of the British Commonwealth and some people were unhappy with this. A bloody civil war took place that claimed the lives of many Irish people. During the 1920’s and 1930’s, the Irish State developed economically and politically until a Republic was finally declared in 1949. By the 1960’s, great social and economic changes were taking place and the new Republic became more stable. It was finally accepted as a member of the EEC in the early 1970’s.

Key Points

Some of the key topics to study in this Unit are:

The home rule movement

  • Meaning and aims
  • Leader in early 1900’s
  • Main achievement?

Unionist opposition to home rule

  • Who/where
  • Reasons for opposition to Home Rule
  • Main leaders?
  • Methods used to stop Home Rule

The 1916 rising

  • Main people involved?
  • Planning of the Rising
  • Why was the AUD so important?
  • What were the key events of the Rising?
  • What were the main results/consequences?
  • Why did the Home Rule Party lose support?
  • Why did the Sinn Fein Party grow strong?
  • What was the First Dáil?

The war of independence

  • When did it occur?
  • What were the tactics used by the Irish Volunteers?
  • Who were the main leaders?
  • Who were the Black and Tans and the Auxiliaries?
  • What happened on Bloody Sunday?
  • Why was a truce (end to the fighting) called?

The Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921

  • Who signed it?
  • What were the main terms
  • What was the reaction to it in Ireland?

The Irish civil war

  • Why did a civil war break out?
  • Who fought who?
  • Main events in the civil war?
  • Main results?

The Free State Government 1922-1932

  • Who were the main Govt. Ministers
  • What were the main achievements of this government?
  • What were the main problems they had to deal with?

De Valera and the Fianna Fáil party

  • When and Why was this Party formed
  • When did de Valera and FF first form a government
  • What was the “economic war”
  • Why were the Blueshirts a threat to de Valera
  • What were the main achievements of the de Valera government?

Ireland during WW11

  • What policy did the government adopt when war broke out?
  • How was Ireland affected by the war?
  • Was Ireland a truly neutral country?

The first coalition government 1948-51

  • What was the Republic of Ireland Act?
  • What were the main achievements of this government?
  • What was the “Mother and child scheme”?

Ireland in the 1960’s - the Lemass years

  • What were the main problems facing Ireland in the 1950’s?
  • What were the major changes that took place in Ireland?
  • What important change took place in North-South relations?


Michael Collins

  • Born in West Cork in 1890
  • Emigrated to London in 1906
  • Became a member of the IRB in 1909 in London

  • Was one of the first members of branch of Irish Volunteers based in London 1914
  • Returned to Ireland - in GPO during Easter Rising - minor role
  • Sent to prison camp - Wales - emerges as a leader
  • Released from prison Dec. 1916 - begins to re-organise Volunteers

  • Elected as Sinn Fein TD in 1918
  • Appointed Minister of Finance in first Dáil 1919
  • Raises a huge amount of money for Dáil loan - around £350,000

  • Was in favour of guerilla warfare in Anglo-Irish war of 1919-21
  • Set up a special unit called "the Squad"
  • Had a very effective spy-network operating in Dublin in key places
  • Most wanted man in Ireland - £10,000 price on his head

  • Sent to London by De Valera to negotiate Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921
  • Reluctant to go at first - agreed to go after a lot of pressure
  • Signed the Treaty on December 6th 1921 - felt it was the best possible deal available

  • Defended his decision to sign the Treaty in Dáil debates in Jan. 1922
  • Saw Treaty as “a stepping stone” to the Republic
  • Became key member of  new provisional government
  • Made great efforts to prevent outbreak of civil war in Ireland

  • Ordered the shelling of the Four Courts in June 1922 - start of civil war
  • Became Commander-in-chief of Free State Army

  • Went on a military visit to West Cork, August 1922 - ambushed and killed
  • His death was a huge loss to the new Irish Free State


Eamon de Valera

Early life up to 1923

  • Born USA in 1882
  • Sent home to Ireland - raised by grandmother in Limerick
  • Studied at Blackrock College, Dublin
  • Became Professor of Maths
  • Active member of Gaelic league from 1908
  • Joined Irish Volunteers 1913 - later joined IRB
  • Involved in 1916 Rising - Boland’s Mills - sentenced to death
  • Elected as Sinn Fein candidate in East Clare 1917
  • Elected President of  SF Party 1917 - also President of Volunteers
  • 1919 -1st Dáil - de Valera - President - spent many months in USA
  • Returned to Ireland 1920
  • Held meetings with Lloyd George in summer 1921 after truce
  • Sent delegates to London Oct. 1921 to negotiate treaty
  • Rejected terms of treaty signed in December 1921
  • Special meeting of Dáil cabinet - split - 4 for -3 against
  • Special Dáil debate - central role of de Valera - vote in favour of treaty
  • De Valera and supporters walk out
  • Tours country - strong anti-treaty stance
  • Defeat for anti-treaty side in June 1922 elections
  • De Valera on anti-treaty IRA side in Civil war
  • Realised in 1923 Irregulars could not win - advised them to “dump arms”
  • Imprisoned 1923-24 by Cosgrave govt.

Period 1923 - 1932

  • Re-elected SF TD after civil war
  • Refused to recognise Dáil - refused to accept oath of allegiance
  • Proposed that they could enter Dáil if oath removed - split in SF
  • New party founded by De Valera - Fianna Fáil - Republican
  • 1927 - Electoral Amendment Act - FF enter Dáil - oath an “empty formula”
  • FF Party grows stronger - Irish Press founded
  • 1932 Election - victory for De Valera and FF Party

Period 1932 - 1948

  • FF in government - major political development
  • Began to dismantle the 1921 Treaty - oath, office of Governor-General etc
  • Refused to pay land annuities - result: “economic war” with Britain
  • Took strong action against Blueshirts
  • Drew up a new Constitution 1937 - a “Republic in everything but name
  • Supported protectionist policies - more semi-states formed
  • Took strong action against IRA
  • Signed Anglo-Irish Treaty 1938 - return of treaty Ports - end to economic war
  • Adopted policy of neutrality in WWII - cross-party support
  • Appointed Lemass to key position - in charge of supplies
  • Took strong stance against USA and British pressure
  • Major post-war economic problems De Valera defeated in 1948 election
  • First Coalition govt. formed - John A. Costello Taoiseach

The final years up to 1959

  • De Valera back in govt. in 1950’s
  • Major economic and social problems
  • Retired as leader of FF and Taoiseach in 1959
  • Elected President - died 1975


Sean Lemass

  • Born in Dublin
  • Took part in 1916 rising and war of Independence
  • Great admirer of De Valera and took the anti-treaty side in the civil war
  • Was one of the founding members of Fianna Fáil in 1926
  • Entered Dáil Eireann for the first time in 1927 - also saw oath as “an empty formula”
  • Served as Minister for Industry and Commerce in first FF govt. of 1932
  • Adopted a policy of protective tariffs - hoped to make Ireland self-sufficient
  • War years - served as Minister for supplies - in charge of rationing, price controls etc.
  • Also responsible for creating Irish Shipping during war years
  • In 1950’s - Director of organisation for FF Party - task of improving FF votes
  • Became Taoiseach and leader of FF in 1959 upon retirement of De Valera
  • Very influenced by ideas of T.K.Whitaker - a planned economy - foreign investment
  • Major economic success in early 1960’s - emigration down - population increases
  • Big increase in number of new factories - 4% annual growth
  • Supported idea of Irish troops serving on UN missions e.g. Cyprus, Congo
  • Also supported setting up of national TV station - RTE in 1962
  • Believed in the need to improve the Irish educational system
  • First Irish leader to hold meetings with the PM of N. Ireland
  • Very interested in promoting co-operation between North and South in economy, tourism etc.
  • Retired from political life in 1966


Review Questions

1. Explain what was meant by Home Rule.
2. What is meant by a Nationalist?
3. Who was the founder of Sinn Fein and what were their aims?
4. What is meant by Unionist?
5. Why were Ulster Unionists so opposed to Home Rule?
6. What was the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant?
7. Why were the UVF set up?
8. What was the Larne gun-running?
9. Why were the Irish Volunteers set up and by whom?
10. What happened to the Irish Volunteers at the start of WWI?
11. Who were the three main organisers of the 1916 rising?
12. Outline the key events of the 1916 Rising.
13. Why was the Easter rising a military fáilure?
14. Why did public opinion towards the Irish Volunteers change after the Easter Rising.
15. Name three political leaders who came to prominence after the 1916 Rising.
16. Which party won the 1918 election and who was the leader?
17. Who were the Black and Tans?
18. What was a “flying column”?
19. Name two Irishmen who signed the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921.
20. List three important terms of the 1921 treaty.
21. Who led the opposition to the treaty in Ireland?
22. What was the main cause of the Irish civil war?
23. What were some of the main results of the civil war
24. What was the 26 county state called in the 1920’s?
25. Who was the main political leader of the 1920’s and what political party did he belong to?
26. What were some of the main achievements of the government in the 1920’s?
27. What did de Valera do in the 1920’s?
28. Why did Fianna Fáil win the election in 1932?
29. Who were the Blueshirts and what were their aims?
30. What policy did de Valera adopt towards the IRA?
31. What changes did de Valera make to the 1921 Treaty?
32. What were the main parts of the new constitution of de Valera?
33. What was the economic war of the 1930’s?
34. Write about life in Ireland during World War 2.
35. What unique form of government was formed after WWII?
36. What was the main achievement of Noel Browne?
37. What was the Mother and Child scheme and why did it cause controversy?
38. What were the major problems facing Ireland during the 1950’s?
39. Write about the major changes that occurred in the Lemass years (1960’s).


Answers

1. This was a political idea that began in the 1870’s which demanded that Ireland should have a Parliament of it’s own in Dublin. This Parliament would take care of things that directly affected Ireland but the really big decisions on issues such as taxation and defence would still be taken in London.

2. A nationalist is someone who wants Ireland to have independence from Britain. The majority of Nationalists were Catholic.

3. Sinn Fein was founded in the early 1900’s. The leader was Arthur Griffith. He wanted Irish elected representatives to reuse to take their seats in a London Parliament. He wanted them to set up a government in Dublin. He was opposed to any use of violence.

4. A Unionist is someone who wanted Ireland to remain part of the UK. The majority were Protestant and they were strongest in the province of Ulster.

5. Ulster Unionists believed that breaking the link with Britain would result in an economic loss for Ulster. They also believed that “Home Rule is Rome Rule”. By this they meant that they feared that a Parliament in Dublin would be Catholic dominated and would discriminate against Protestants.

6. This was a very serious document signed by a huge number of people in Ulster in which they said NO to Home Rule and pledged to do everything possible to defeat it.

7. This was the Ulster Volunteer Force set up by Edward Carson in 1912 and prepared to use force to defeat Home Rule.

8. This was when the UVF imported a large consignment of guns and ammunition illegally from Germany in early 1914 . The cargo arrived at night into the port of Larne, north of Belfast.

9. They were set up in Dublin in opposition to the UVF by a man called Eoin MacNeill.

10. A split developed in the ranks. A majority heeded the call of the leader of the Irish Home Rule Party, John Redmond, to go and fight on the side of Britain in WWI in order to defend the rights of small nations such as Belgium. However, a small minority totally refused to fight on the side of Britain. They kept the name Irish Volunteers.

11. Patrick Pearse, Sean MacDermott and Thomas Clarke.

12. Easter Rising 1916

  • Easter Monday 1916 – rebellion began
  • GPO and 6 other buildings captured by Volunteers
  • Proclamation of republic read to public
  • British caught by surprise
  • Huge army reinforcements sent to Dublin
  • Volunteers outnumbered 20/1 in 2 days
  • British army surround city
  • Volunteer positions attacked
  • British had superior weaponry
  • Gun-boat “Helga” shells the GPO
  • Dublin city centre destroyed
  • Hundreds killed – British, Volunteers, civilians
  • Connolly badly wounded
  • Pearse ordered surrender on Saturday
  • British arrest over 3000 people
  • Over 1800 sent to prison camps in Britain
  • Great public anger – destruction – civilian deaths
  • Sentenced to death – 15 executed
  • Summer 1916 – huge change in public opinion
  • Anger over secret trials and executions
  • Martial law continued in Dublin
  • Dead leaders become heroes within weeks


13.  It failed for a number of reasons. Firstly, the rebels were easily surrounded and isolated one by one by the British forces. Also the British had far superior weaponry and outnumbered the rebels by 20 to 1.

14.  The main leaders of the Rebellion were executed. This created a huge change in public opinion. Many people began to feel great sympathy for the dead leaders and within a very short time they were being treated as heroes.

15.  Eamon de Valera, Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith

16.  The Sinn Fein Party won the election. They wanted a fully independent Irish Republic. The leader of the Party was led by Eamon de Valera.
17.  They were ex-British soldiers sent to Ireland to defeat the IRA in the War of Independence.

18.  These were small units of IRA men who carried out attacks on the police (RIC) and the British forces. They adopted guerrilla warfare tactics. They attacked and disappeared quickly. They had many safe houses to stay in as the majority of people were prepared to hide them.

19.  Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith.

20.  26 Counties of Ireland would become an Irish Free State. It would have a Parliament of its own in Dublin but would remain a member of the British Empire. All members of the Irish parliament in Dublin would have to take an oath of loyalty to the King of England.

21.  De Valera was angry with the Treaty and led the opposition to it.

22.  A major split took place in the IRA.  Some stayed loyal to Collins and accepted the Treaty. Others believed that the Treaty was a betrayal and were prepared to renew the fight for a Republic.

23.  Ireland became bitterly divided. Michael Collins was killed in an ambush. Massive destruction of property. Hundreds killed on both sides.

24.  The Irish Free State.

25.  William Cosgrave was the leader of the new government. His political party was called Cumann na Gael.

26.  They created a strong police force called the Garda Siochána. They restored law and order and a Courts system. They set up an Irish Civil service. They developed a hydro-electric power station on the Shannon river.

27.  De Valera left the Sinn Fein Party. He formed a new Party called Fianna Fáil.

28.  De Valera had a very well organised Party. Many of the main members were very well known.

29.  They were founded by Eoin O Duffy in 1933. They were formed to protect Cumann na Gael meetings from attacks by the IRA. They were often compared to the followers of Mussolini because of their marches, salutes and uniforms.

30.  De Valera became very opposed to the use of any violence by any group. He imprisoned many IRA members and later banned them.

31.  He got rid of the oath of loyalty to the King. The representative of the King in Ireland was called the Governor-general and de Valera also abolished that position.

32.  The country was to be called Eire. The head of State was to be called a President. The head of government was to be called Taoiseach.

33.  This was when the British government imposed tariffs (special high taxes) on Irish goods coming into Britain. They were angry with De Valera because he refused to pay back money owed to Britain. The Irish government then retaliated by placing huge tariffs on British goods entering Ireland. This lasted for a few years. Both economies suffered as a result.

34.  War began in SEPTEMBER 1939. Called the “Emergency” in Ireland. Government policy was to be one of  neutrality.

  • Taoiseach : Eamon de Valera
  • Widespread support for the policy - Dáil and public
  • Govt. given wide-ranging powers - Emergency powers orders
  • Two new Govt. Departments created - e.g. Department of Supplies
  • Sean Lemass becomes a key Minister
  • Very strict rationing introduced
  • Very strict censorship of all newspapers and radio
  • Irish Shipping set up to get supplies into Ireland
  • Dublin bombed by mistake by Germany in 1941- 34 died


35.  This was the very first Coalition Government created in Ireland. All political parties took part except Fianna Fáil.

36.  He was the Minister for Health in this first Coalition Government. He is most remembered for the way in which he tackled the problem of TB. Many new hospitals were built and new drugs were paid for to wipe out the disease.

37.  This was a proposal of Browne to introduce free medical care for all mothers and children up to the age of 16 years. It was opposed by the Catholic church who said it was too much like a Communist idea.

38.  Massive unemployment. Huge emigration to the USA and Britain. The overall population continued to decline.

39.  Foreign Companies were encouraged to invest in Ireland. Free Secondary education was introduced for the first time. RTE TV was launched. Special meetings took place for the first time between the political leaders of both the Republic and Northern Ireland. (O’Neill and Lemass)














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