CUMANN NA nGAEDHEAL IN

POWER 1923-1932

3
rd
Year History
Learning outcomes
After looking at the end of the civil war we
are going to analyse Cumann na
nGeadeal government (the first of the irish
state)
We are going to look at their aims and how
successful they were in fulfilling these
After the civil war
Sinn Fein split into two
political parties
The pro-treaty side kept the
name Sinn Fein led by De
Valera
The anti-treaty side formed
a new political party called
Cummann Na nGaedheal
led by W.T Cosgrave a
non-military diplomat.
Why???
William T Cosgrave: Cummann Na
nGaedheal leader 1923 - 1932
Aims:

Establish law and order
Rebuild the economy
Manage relations with Britain
The Constitution and the
Oireachtas
CnG wrote the first official constitution of
Ireland. (rules on the running of the state)
They established the Oireachtas (houses
of parliament)
Why did Sinn Fein refuse to enter the
Dail?

Law and Order

Irish Free State member of Commonwealth
Oireachtas: Dail and Seanad set up.
Oath of Allegiance to King required.
Governor General (Lived in Phoenix Park)
Garda set up (unarmed)
Courts (copied British Model)

There was still a threat though posed by
the IRA
WHY?
Kevin OHiggins the minister for defence
assasinated
Public Safety Act (wide powers of arrest)
The Army Mutiny (dissatisfaction with
redundancy and progress to republic)
Richard Mulcahy (defence) resigned and
leaders arrested. Important to control army

The Economy

Concentration on agriculture (loans to farmers, better
breeding)
Farmers Taxes kept low
The Shannon Scheme (ESB)
Little development of Irish industry.
Poor still lived in slums and extreme poverty.

Relations with Britain

The Boundary Commission
1931 Statute of Westminster (allowed members to
change any laws made for them by the British
parliament)
Reasons Decline of Cumann na
nGaedhael

Blamed for the failure of the Boundary
Commission
Great Depression 1929 destroyed
ecomony.
Cut in pay for teachers and garda
Cut old age pension.
Popularity of Fianna Fail
Using your books
Write a paragraph on the aims, successes
and failures of the C na G government