A Just Cause Irish Neutrality in the Second World War

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Harvey, David

Keywords

Ireland, Neutrality, WW II, World War II, De Valera, Eamon

Area of Concentration

History

Abstract

This thesis examines Ireland�s policy of neutrality during the Second World War, focusing on the motivations behind that policy and the effect it had on Ireland�s domestic and foreign political situation. The extent to which Ireland could have realistically contributed to the war efforts of either the Axis or Allied powers is also analyzed. This work argues that Ireland�s Fianna F�il government attempted to use neutrality to maintain stability domestically as well as promote Irish independence internationally. Similarly, despite its neutrality, Ireland�s relations with Great Britain, the United States, and Germany during the war shifted at various times according to the perceived outcome of the conflict. Ultimately the thesis concludes that due to relative military insufficiencies, internal divisions caused by severe economic crisis, and the island�s geographical orientation, Ireland realistically had no option other than neutrality.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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