ireland 1939-64

Question 1

ww2 ireland

Answer 1

-1930a: friction between north and south less, some Irish wanted united ireland
-ww2: eire adopted position of neutrality, de Valera in contact with nazis and britian exposed
-deal: tried to scrap partition, little democratic discussion in Ulster, Craig outraged and said de Valera was with hitler
-rumours: IRA involved in nazi plot to attack britain via n. ireland, germany unlikely to interfere
-40-41: hitler doing well and britain not, De Valera did not want to join losing side, Churchill tried to offer de Valera unity in exchange against hitler
-results: britain could not use irish ports leading to loss of 368 ships and 5.07k lives, left with poor view of eire at end of the war whilst ulster given unity through Harland and Wold shipyard, 1947 proposed united ireland de Valera but rejected

Question 2

post ww2 ireland

Answer 2

-tensions between reduced, de Valera left commonwealth in 1948 and introduced Republic of Ireland act ending association with britain, britain introduced 1949 ireland act with north remaining, antionalists it seemed more eager to campaign
-cultural differences: eire roman catholic, censorship banned literature, gale compulsory in schools, divorce and contraception banned
-1950s: republic remained catholic, ed and welfare offered, in north NHS created
-economy: different economies meant integration not viable, n booming and living standards rising, Ulster embraced welfare state, 100k new houses built, health economy contrasted sharply with south problems and could not unite, republic: no welfare state, rising unemployment. but lemass PM in 57, embraced capital investment and state spending, tourism expanded north: 4700 new jobs in 46 bu gov funding, scholarships and free school meals, Catholic wanted to remove discrimination
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Question 3

irish prime minsters

Answer 3

-James Craig: in post since 21, effective in calming anti-Catholic feelings but nothing in long term, still regarded catholics with suspicion and they did not support
-basil Brooke (1943): protestant, openly anti-catholic, ignored advice from liberal minded unionists to find common ground with catholics
-captain terrance O’Neill: cultivate better relationships, met with lemass in 1965, plans were to abolish business votes and upset catholics and unionists

Question 4

1964 September riots

Answer 4

causes: discrimination to catholics, Paisley
-dispute: detachment of RUC detailed to home affairs ministry to remove risk tricolour from headquarters to republic party, during uk general election where republican contesting seat, order issued by Paisley who threatened to remove flag
-flags and emblems act 1964: forbade display of flags in public or private buildings but exempted union, repiblicans felt act undermine
-what happened: word went out that RUC on way to remove, 2k republican supporters came out to block, armed police called, RUC smashed into HQ to remove flag
-Ian Paisley: called of loyalist march, played to the crowd with bible readings and anti-catholic and anti-republican chants
-republican reaction: replaced flag with another the following day and RUC arrived with weapons, violence broke out when republicans took to streets, 30 people seriously injured
-blame: Ian paisley, felt stirred up, blamed o’neills gov for weak leadership and criticised engagement with republic