AFL Mark Scheme: Post War Eire, 1945 – 1948

Austerity

Eire suffered a prolonged period of hardship after the end of the Second World War. This hardship is usually termed ‘austerity’. The situation was so bad that de Valera introduce a ‘state of emergency’. All this was at a time when Northern Ireland was enjoying the new benefits of the Welfare State.

Consequences People were very unhappy. They had no welfare state to look after them, people had to pay for their own medical care. This meant Fianna Fail (de Valera’s party) became unpopular and lost the 1948 general election. This meant a coalition government took power. It was made up of lots of different political parties:  The largest party was Fine Gael It was led by General Richard Mulcahy

 There were two different Labour parties, who opposed one another.

 Farmers were represented by Clann na Talmham.

 Clann na Poblachta was a Republican and socialist party, led by Sean MacBride

who had been Chief in Staff for the IRA.

 There were also 12 independent TDs (members of Dáil Eireann).

Who should have been Taoiseach? Mulcahy

Why? He was the leader of the largest party

Who became Taoiseach? John A Costello

Why? MacBride wouldn’t accept Mclcahy as leader.

Questions page 134

1. How well did the Eire economy perform in the post-war period? Why was

this?

There was a severe economic depression in Eire. This was because Britain

was dissatisfied with Eire’s decision to remain neutral during the war.

2. How did this situation differ from Northern Ireland both economically

and socially?

Northern Ireland has benefited from Labour’s modernising policies and

the Welfare State. In Eire benefits were almost non-existent and people

had to pay for their own medical care.

3. Why did de Valera lose power in 1948?

De Valera declared that Eire remained in a ‘State of Emergency’. This was

very unpopular.

4. What type of Government took over from Fianna Fail in 1948?

A coalition government took over. This was made up of a range of political

parties.

5. What economic policies did the inter-party government introduce during

its term of office?

 Industrial Development Authority- to revitalise the economy

 Coras Trachtala- to increase trade with North America

 12,000 houses were built

 Land reclamation and electrification

 The signing of the 1948 trade agreement with Britain