Changes in Ireland before 1939 Cumann na nGaedheal Fianna Fáil
A change in government
Cumann na nGaedheal remained in power until 1932, having faced many challenges since the Civil War – not least restoring law and order after years of bitter confl ict. They set up an Garda Síochána in 1925. They also began to modernise the country by building a hydroelectric scheme at Ardnacrusha on the River Shannon in 1929, founding the ESB (Electricity Supply Board). However, they had become increasingly unpopular for a number of reasons:
• The country was still heavily reliant on agriculture and had little industry.
• From 1929, the economic Great Depression was to affect the whole Western world severely for over a decade, increasing unemployment, poverty and emigration.
• The party had made no progress in dismantling the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
• It continued to introduce unpopular Public Safety Acts to support law and order.
Fianna Fáil was set up by Éamon de Valera in 1926 after he left Sinn Féin. Other Sinn Féin members such as Frank Aiken and Seán Lemass joined him. Fianna Fáil were highly organised and on the rise. Kevin O’Higgins was assassinated in 1927 and W.T. Cosgrave introduced the Electoral Amendment Act. This act stated that all elected TDs had to take the oath of allegiance or give up their seats in the Dáil. De Valera and Fianna Fáil decided to take the oath of allegiance.
Fianna Fáil
Cumann na nGaedhael Labour Party Others
72 seats 56 seats 7 seats
18 seats Results of the 1932 General Election
Cosgrave called an election in 1932 and with the help of Labour, Fianna Fáil entered into government.
A 1932 election poster for Fianna Fáil 279 A 1932 election poster for Cumann na nGaedheal
