1950s - 1960s Ireland Flashcards
what is protectionism
when there were high charges on goods coming to Ireland to protect Irish businesses from foreign competition
what combined to create high unemployment in the years after WW11
the irish businesses were badly run and there wasn’t a lot of money to invest in the economy
why did many people emigrate during the 1950s
because there were very few jobs available which led to rural depopulation
what is rural depopulation
where young people left rural areas to find work and increasingly only older people remained
why was the government unable to tackle the problems Ireland faced
because after each election, a weak government of either Fianna Fáil or a coalition of parties was formed so no majority existed in the Dáil
explain Seán Lemass’ early life and career
- born Dublin 1899
- fought in Rising and War of Independence
- one of founding member of Fianna Fáil
- served as Minister for Industry and Commerce and Minister for Supplies during WW11.
- became Taoiseach in 1959 after de Valera retired
what were the aims of the First Programme for Economic Explansion
- free trade ( ireland would reduce charges on imports to encourage trade and reduce prices)
- encourage foreign investment ( taxes reduced on foreign companies set up in Ireland)
- grants to businesses and farmers ( to help them modernize and be more efficient)
what was Lemass determined to change about Belfast and Dublin
the little contact they had
who created the first programme for economic expansion
Seán Lemass and T.K. Whitaker
what did Lemass do in 1965
he travelled to belfast to met the northern irish Prime minister ( Terence O’Neill)
what did Lemass and O’Neill agree to cooperate on
tourism, education and agriculture
when did Ireland join the United Nations
1955
where did irish soldiers begin to serve
UN peacekeeping missions in Congo, Cyprus and the Middle East
where did Ireland apply to join in 1961 and why
the European Economicl Community because Britain was joining also and Lemass believed they could gain new markets for Irish goods in Europe and grow the economy because Britain was Ireland’s largest export market.
why did Ireland withdraw their application to join the EEC
because France stopped the British application because they feared that Britain was too close with the US
when did Ireland and Britain eventually join the European Economic Community
1973
when was Ireland’s opened marked and what marked it
it was marked in June 1963 when John F. Kennedy came to visit
who did Lemass point as government ministers after leading Fianna Fáil to victory in the 1961 and 1965 general elections
Charlee Haughey, George Colley and Patrick Hillary
why did Lemass resign in 1966
because he said it was time for the new generation to take over
who took over when lemass resigned
Jack Lynch
when did Seán Lemass die
1971
what was the Broadcasting Authority Act
it set up an independent authority to run radio and television in Ireland
when did Telefís Eireann launch
31 December 1961
how did television change irish society over the following decades
- people saw shows from all around the world so they compared their lives to other peoples
- programmes like the Late Late Show discussed controversial topics and helped shift society’s attitudes
- people saw political leaders openly challenged for the first time
why did Pope John XXII call the Second Vatican Council in 1962
to reform the Catholic Church and make it better suited to the modern world.
what were the changed made to the catholic church
- mass was said to be in vernacular
- laypeople were given greater roles
- the bible was to be published in the vernacular
- Ecumenism sought more understanding and cooperation between the various different Churches
who was the minister for education on 1966
Donogh O’Malley
what did Donogh O’Malley want to do
he wanted to expand the educated workforce so that Ireland would be more attractive to foreign businesses
what major reforms did O’Malley includ to the education system
- free schooling up to Junior Cert
- free transport for students to schools
- grants to build more schools
- Regional Technical Colleges were opened
what was the impact of the reforms to the education system
- number of people sitting the Leaving Cert rose
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