Eire & WW2 Flashcards
What were Eire’s reasons for neutrality?
DV correctly predicted population would support it to reinforce Eire’s independence
Population divided as to whether or not to support britain
Many believed Germany posed no threat, & if there was, britain would defend them
Eire wasn’t equipped militarily or financially to fight a war
Government wanted to protect its people from hardships of war
Other countries, like USA, had declared neutrality, which encouraged eire to follow
What were the attitudes of people of eire towards neutrality?
They believed it reinforced eire’s independence
Hoped that it would save Ireland from horrors of modern warfare
Even Ireland’s minority unionists supported neutrality, while still supporting allied war effort
Britain’s war, not eire’s
Some people felt connection to Germany after assistance during Easter rising 1916
What was the response of britain & NI to Eire’s neutrality?
They were disappointed & anxious, as:
Britain was suffering heavy shipping losses in Atlantic
Re-routing British merchant ships to ports in NI instead of using ports in Eire, placing great strain on vital supply route from USA
Britain worried Germany might invade Eire & use it as stepping-stone to get to Britain
Eire didn’t have blackout regulations, therefore NI easily identified
Eventually, they accepted grudgingly, with opposition from Churchill, soon to be PM
Realising importance of good communication, Sir John Maffey appointed as British government’s representative in Eire - he developed positive relationship with DV
However, britain never recognised Eire’s neutrality & pressure to end policy remained strong, particularly after Churchill became PM in 1940
There was strong resentment at Eire’s neutrality in NI; it was viewed as act of betrayal & threat to UK’s security
How did Eire assert its neutrality?
Refused military assistance to both sides
Allies denied use of ports & airfields
News bulletins gave purely factual reports about war
Weather forecasts ceased to be broadcast in case they helped either side
When USA entered war, DV resisted US pressure to end neutrality
DV used ‘Offences Against the State Act’ of 1939 & the ‘Treason Act’ to deal with IRA 7 their interference with British war effort as they allowed several German agents to parachute into Eire
What actions indicated Eire’s neutrality was ‘benevolent neutrality’?
German ambassador’s radio transmitter confiscated
German pilots who bailed out over Eire imprisoned - allied airmen allowed to pass into NI
During Belfast blitz, DV sent fire engines to help. In aftermath, relief centres set up close to border & relief funds started
Allied airmen patrolling western approaches or refuelling on trans-Atlantic missions could fly over Irish territory - ‘Donegal air corridor’
Coastal navigational aids provided for US airmen
In final months of war, DV allowed RAF to establish secret air bases over
What happened the first time when Britain tried to convince Eire to join the war?
June 1940 - Westminster proposed reunification of Ireland - in return Dublin would allow British forces to be stationed in eire & use naval facilities
DV rejected offer due to:
Eire’s “unpreparedness”
Negative impact on independence
Fact that no guarantee NI government would agree as its government hadn’t been consulted
What happened the second time when Britain tried to convince Eire to join the war?
Following Japanese attack on pearl harbour (7 December 1941) Churchill telegrammed DV
His offer of “now is your chance. Now or never, a nation once again” was understood by DV as possibility of Irish unity if he joined allies. Again he declined.
In 1942, Churchill attempted to regain use of treaty ports, once again was rejected
What was NI’s reaction to Churchill’s offer of reunification of Ireland to DV?
Unionists furious about offer
Initial offer made in June 1940 wasn’t even discussed with them in advance as British believed Craig would agree to end partition as price of getting eire to join war
When Craig became aware of offers, he was furious & branded it act of treachery by British government
What was the impact of WW2 upon the people fo Eire?
Many items in short supply - 95% of imports had previously been transported by British ships
Rationing of tea, sugar, bread, butter & clothing introduced - lead to increased smuggling & emergence of black market trade
Agriculture production decreased due to decline in import in fertilisers
Scarcity of coal meant electricity was available for only few hours a day
By end of 1940, travel was difficult as there was very little Errol in eire. Use of public transport increased
New industries withered - shortage of raw materials & unemployment soared
About 20,000 people went to britain for work & 43,000 joined British forces
Wages didn’t keep pace with inflation
Diseases like tuberculosis increased due to lack of food & heating
Censorship of TV & radio
34 people died & several hundred houses destroyed when Luftwaffe bombs accidentally fell into Eire in 1941
