The Emergency 1939 - 1945
1. When did Britain and France declare war on Nazi Germany?
2. Who was the Irish Taoiseach at the time?
3. What did the Taoiseach declare at the outbreak of World War II?
4. What is meant by the term ‘neutrality’?
5. Name 5 countries that were invaded by Germany.
6. Who was the prime minister of Britain at this time, and what did he ask Ireland to do?
7. How did the Taoiseach respond to this?
8. Why did the people of Ireland accept neutrality?
9. How do you think the sinking of British convoy ships by German U boats (submarines) would affect Ireland?
10. Comment on how Ireland prepared itself for German invasion.
11. What name was given by the Nazis for the planned invasion of Ireland?
12. Why did the Nazis want to invade Ireland?
13. What was the Battle of Britain?
14. When and why did the USA join the War?
15. How did the British prime minister try and persuade Ireland to join in the War?
16. Although Ireland did not join the war on the British side, describe 6 ways by which they secretly supported the
British.
17. Comment on the political exchanges between the British Prime Minister and the Taoiseach after the war was
over.
18. Do you think this was one of Eamon de Valera’s successes as Taoiseach? Explain why.
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Extra research questions:
1. Why were Irish newspapers censored during the Emergency in Ireland?
2. Due to Ireland’s neutrality, Britain refused to export goods such as tea to Ireland. Comment how the Irish
government tried to regulate the amount of food supplies in the country.
3. Fuel shortages were also a problem during the Emergency. Comment on how fuel supplies were regulated in the
country during the war years.
4. Did Germany ever bomb any part of the Republic of Ireland?
5. Comment on why the IRA was the main threat to neutrality and how de Valera responded to this threat.
6. Explain three results of World War II on Ireland.