Resumen de Irish Economic Policy in the 1930s and the Authority of Eamon de Valera

Tereza Pusova

• The 1930s proved to be particularly difficult years in Irish history.

  The electoral victory of Eamon de Valera s Fianna Fáil party in February 1932 brought a change of government and of economic policy.

  It also signaled the reopening of unresolved financial and constitutional issues with Great Britain, eventually resulting in the so-called Economic War. De Valera led his party and his country towards independence and self-sufficiency under the banner of protectionism.

  This article assesses the authority and influence of de Valera in making Irish economic policy in the 1930s, in view of its long-term consequences. After a brief introduction, the article is organized into two main sections, the first describing the crucial disputes with Britain and the British positions, the second examining the economic performance of Ireland in 1930s. A concluding section summarizes.