Ireland in the 1930s and 1940s

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Ireland in the1930s and 1940s

• Source Muckross Research Library, Kerry, Ireland

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Ireland-1930s and 1940s
British Oppression / Anti-British Sentiment

• The Irish Free State came into being at the end
  of 1922, following the signing of a Treaty with
  England in December 1921. (Ended the War of
  Independence, which had commenced against the
  British in 1919)
• Then Civil War between those who supported and
  those who opposed the Treaty until May 1923. The
  anti-Treaty faction opposed the Treaty on the
  grounds that it did not grant full Irish
  Independence.

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Ireland-1930s and 1940s

• EXTREME POVERTY
• Ireland in the early 20th century was a poor
  country. The great majority of the people were
  living in the countryside, or in country towns
  and villages.
• In 1930, the majority of Ireland's population
  occupied small agricultural holdings.
• U.S. depression no market for crops
• Big rains affected wheat crops ? bread rationing
• Slums overcrowding, unsanitary conditions (raw
  sewage, fleas, rats, lice)

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Ireland-1930s and 1940s

• Diphtheria and typhoid fever were rampant.
  Patients were treated in fever hospitals run by
  nuns.
• Irish Catholicism was strict.