Political developments In Twentieth Century Ireland 1939-2000 Flashcards
When was the emergency/WW2
1939-1945
Why did Ireland choose neutrality
War could result in widespread damage
People did not want to fight with Britain because of partition but Irish favoured the Allies
Shows Irish independence
Explain the emergency powers act
Ensured Irish neutrality- decisions were made quick and easily during this period
Explain neutral
A country that doesn’t take part in a war, favours no side
Explain the IRA threat to neutrality and how De Valera ended it
Feared IRA activities risked Ireland being attacked by Britain. He imprisoned many IRA members without trial
Explain how Ireland was effected by food and fuel shortages during war
People were given ration books for certain products
Gas was rationed and petrol was scarce
Many factories closed because of lack of fuel
Why were the LDF set up during Ww2 in Ireland
Aimed to train young people in case of invasion
What were the results of WW2 in Ireland
Escaped death and destruction of war
Economy suffered
British unionists are more loyal to britain, widened gap between north and south ireland
When and what was the first inter party government
1948-1951
Its was a coalition government formed including Fine Gael, Labour, Clann naPoblachta and others
Led by John A Costello
What were the first inter party government’s Acheivements
Declared Ireland a republic in 1949, free from commonwealth
Secured better prices for agricultural exports
Electricity to rural areas
Explain the mother and child scheme
It was a plan to provide free medical treatment to children under 16 and mother. Brought about by minister for health Noel Browne but scheme never was introduced
What were the main issues in Ireland during the 1950s
High unemployment
Many people emigrated for work
Population declined
De Valera resigned and was president but who took over the government
Seán Lemass
What did Lemass introduce to modernise the country economically?
The First Programme for Economic Expansion
What were the main points of Lemass’s First Programme for Economic Expansion
Under this plan, protectionism (placing taxes/tariffs on imported goods) ended and he set out promoting exports and encouraging foreign investment
What were the results of the First Programme for Economic Expansion
Less emigration and more employment created. Population steadily increased
How did Lemass improve education
His Minister for Education Donagh O’Malley introduced the free secondary school
education to improve education levels in Ireland
How did Lemass improve relations between the north and south of Ireland
Lemass stopped attacking the partition and visited Belfast at Terence O Neill’s (prime minister) invitation
What were the social changes in Ireland during the 1960s under Sean Lemass
RTE was set up, brought new ways of thinking to Irish homes through debates, news
Catholic church was modernised under Pope John XXIII
When did Ireland join the EEC
1973 under Jack Lynch
What were the benefits of joining the EEC for Ireland
● Common Agricultural Policy - farmers got more for their produces and higher standard of living
● EEC grants to building better roads and schools to improve education
● Charter of Human Rights enabled women to receive equal pay
● Foreign companies from countries such as America expanded their companies in Ireland
● Provided aid and employment
What was the Arms trial
Two ministers were accused of importing arms for IRA during the troubles using public money. They were not found guilty
What were the problems faced in Irish 1970s
World oil crisis
Inflation
Unemployment
Explain the celtic tiger 1990
A phase used to describe Ireland during the period of rapid economic growth that began in the 1990s
