Political developments In Twentieth Century Ireland 1939-2000

Question 1

When was the emergency/WW2

Answer 1

1939-1945

Question 2

Why did Ireland choose neutrality

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Explain the emergency powers act

Answer 3

Ensured Irish neutrality- decisions were made quick and easily during this period

Question 4

Explain neutral

Answer 4

A country that doesn’t take part in a war, favours no side

Question 5

Explain the IRA threat to neutrality and how De Valera ended it

Answer 5

Feared IRA activities risked Ireland being attacked by Britain. He imprisoned many IRA members without trial

Question 6

Explain how Ireland was effected by food and fuel shortages during war

Answer 6

People were given ration books for certain products
Gas was rationed and petrol was scarce
Many factories closed because of lack of fuel

Question 7

Why were the LDF set up during Ww2 in Ireland

Answer 7

Aimed to train young people in case of invasion

Question 8

What were the results of WW2 in Ireland

Answer 8

Escaped death and destruction of war
Economy suffered
British unionists are more loyal to britain, widened gap between north and south ireland

Question 9

When and what was the first inter party government

Answer 9

1948-1951
Its was a coalition government formed including Fine Gael, Labour, Clann naPoblachta and others
Led by John A Costello

Question 10

What were the first inter party government’s Acheivements

Answer 10

Declared Ireland a republic in 1949, free from commonwealth
Secured better prices for agricultural exports
Electricity to rural areas

Question 11

Explain the mother and child scheme

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What were the main issues in Ireland during the 1950s

Answer 12

High unemployment
Many people emigrated for work
Population declined

Question 13

De Valera resigned and was president but who took over the government

Answer 13

Seán Lemass

Question 14

What did Lemass introduce to modernise the country economically?

Answer 14

The First Programme for Economic Expansion

Question 15

What were the main points of Lemass’s First Programme for Economic Expansion

Answer 15

Under this plan, protectionism (placing taxes/tariffs on imported goods) ended and he set out promoting exports and encouraging foreign investment

Question 16

What were the results of the First Programme for Economic Expansion

Answer 16

Less emigration and more employment created. Population steadily increased

Question 17

How did Lemass improve education

Answer 17

His Minister for Education Donagh O’Malley introduced the free secondary school
education to improve education levels in Ireland

Question 18

How did Lemass improve relations between the north and south of Ireland

Answer 18

Lemass stopped attacking the partition and visited Belfast at Terence O Neill’s (prime minister) invitation

Question 19

What were the social changes in Ireland during the 1960s under Sean Lemass

Answer 19

RTE was set up, brought new ways of thinking to Irish homes through debates, news
Catholic church was modernised under Pope John XXIII

Question 20

When did Ireland join the EEC

Answer 20

1973 under Jack Lynch

Question 21

What were the benefits of joining the EEC for Ireland

Answer 21

● 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

Question 22

What was the Arms trial

Answer 22

Two ministers were accused of importing arms for IRA during the troubles using public money. They were not found guilty

Question 23

What were the problems faced in Irish 1970s

Answer 23

World oil crisis
Inflation
Unemployment

Question 24

Explain the celtic tiger 1990

Answer 24

A phase used to describe Ireland during the period of rapid economic growth that began in the 1990s