1. Review of Ireland 1923-1932 Presentation prepared by: Dominic Haugh
St. Particks Comprehensive School
Shannon
Co. Clare
Presentation can be used for educational purposes only – all rights remain with author

2. Review of Ireland 1922-1939 Political Parties 1922
Cumann na nGaedheal (pro-Treaty Sinn Fein)
Sinn Fein (anti-Treaty)
Labour Party
Farmers Party

3. Cumann na nGaedheal 1923-32 General Election August 1923
Sinn Fein refuses to attend Dail (abstention)
Cumman na nGaedheal has majority
William T. Cosgrave (President of Executive)

4. Issues Facing Government
Consolidating the State
Law and Order
Economic Difficulties
Foreign Policy

5. Consolidating the State
The ‘New’ Civil Service
The Civic Guard (the Gardai)
The Courts
Local Government
Founding of Fianna Fail (1926)

6. Law and Order Civic Guard (the Gardai) Dealing with IRA
The Army Mutiny 1924
The Assassination of Kevin O’Higgins
New Laws force Fianna Fail to take the Oath of Allegiance
The Red Scare 1929

7. Economic Difficulties
Economic Recession (began 1921)
Economic problems from war
Laissez-Faire policies
Emphasis on Agriculture
Balance the books
Ultimate Financial Agreement 1926
Government to continue paying land annuties

8. Specific Measures
1923 – cuts in pay for civil servants, teachers and gardai
1924 – cuts in old age pension
1924 – cuts taxes
1927 – ACC established
1927 – Building of Shannon Scheme

9. Foreign Policy Participation in League of Nations
Participation in Imperial Conferences
1925 – The Boundary Commission
1931 – Statute of Westminster

10. Questions to Ask?? How successful were Cumann na nGaedheal in Power?
Consolidating the New State?
Law and Order?
Economic Policy?
Foreign Policy?

11. Fianna Fail in Power 1932-1939 Elected with help of Labour in 1932
1933 – Snap election – win overall majority
Threats to the State (Law and Order)
1937 Constitution
Foreign Policy
Economic Policies

12. Threats to the State IRA DeValera releases IRA men from jail
By 1936 uses the same powers to re-arrest them again
Threats from the Blueshirts

13. New Constitution Dismantling the Treaty
1932 – Abolished the Oath of Allegiance
1932 – Undermined the Governor General
1936 – Constitutional Amendment Act and External Relations Act
1937 – New Constitution

14. Foreign Policy
Tied to –
Dismantling of the Treaty
Economic War

15. Economic Policy More government involvement in Economy
More spending on housing and services
Drive to develop industry
Implementation of a policy of Protectionism
DeValera wants to break economic links with Britain
Drive for self-sufficiency

16. Economic War 1932 – July – DeValera refuses to pay land annuities
Sparks Economic War with Britain
Both sides impose tariffs on imports
‘Burn everything British but it’s coal’
1935 – The Coal-Cattle Pact
1938 – The Anglo Irish Agreement

17. Questions to Ask?? How successful were Fianna Fail in Power?
Law and Order?
Foreign Policy?
Economic Policy?
Did deValera make Ireland ‘self-sufficient’?

18. Main Topics for Questions
Success or failure of different policies
Comparing CnanG and FF in different policy areas
Comparing success or failure of Cosgrave and deValera

19. Homework
Take each policy topic and outline one reason why you feel the government of the time were a success or failure
4 for Cummann na nGaedheal
4 for Fianna Fail