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How well did Ireland, North and South, deal with the social and
economic problems of World War Two?
WW2 had a major impact on Ireland socially and economically, North and South. By
securing the Treaty ports in the Anglo Irish Agreement of 1938 and introducing the
External Relations Act of 1936 DeValera was able to keep Ireland neutral for the
duration of the war. However in the North James Craig was quick to announce
allegiance to the crown “Ulster is ready when we get word and always will be"” Both
parts of the country had very different experiences of war. By the end of WW2 the
gap between North and South had widened politically, socially and economically.
The South used censorship to back up its neutrality. They hoped that wide ranging
censorship would discourage the old idea “England’s difficulty is Ireland’s
opportunity”. Anti-British feeling was still strong in the South and there was a fear
that if Ireland joined the British side during the war it might spark an IRA-German
alliance. Frank Aiken, Minister for Co-Ordination of Defence Measures was given the
task of overseeing censorship. Censorship was organised in three divisions postal,
telegraph and press. All letters to and from destinations outside Ireland were subject
to censorship. Telegraph censorship was extended to all telegrams both internal and
external. Press censorship included radio, newspapers, magazines and weather
reports. Although neutral Ireland in private Ireland assisted the Allies by forwarding
information and depriving the Germans of weather reports.
Rationing was part of the “Emergency” North and South. Sean Lemass was Minister
for Supplies and introduced rationing on goods such as petrol, coal and tea.
“Glimmerman” inspectors went from house to house to check that people weren’t
wasting fuel. Public and private transport was heavily restricted during the war. As
most of Ireland’s imports came from Britain supplies of coal, oil, fertiliser and tea
were low. This led to large queues outside shops and a growing black market.
Food supplies were adequate but consumer goods and electrical goods were almost
impossible to buy. There was a severe shortage of wheat. This prompted the
government to introduce a compulsory tillage of land order. This led to an increased
output of crops but due to lack of fertiliser the soil became less productive. Although
Ireland exported large quantities of food to Britain they did not experience the
economic boom they had in WW1. The Wages Standstill Order 1941 put a limit on
increasing wages. This meant wages did not rise with prices. While wages rose 13%
prices rose by a staggering 70%.
Until the war Ireland had been dependant on British ships for imports and exports.
During the state of emergency Britain needed all their ships for the war effort
resulting in a shortage of carriers for Ireland. In 1941 the government founded Irish
Shipping Ltd. The company bought eight ships and leased another five to bring goods
into and out of the country. The company proved to be highly successful and within
fifteen months Irish Shipping was making a profit. However the shortage of ships
resulted in a shortage of raw materials. In industry production fell and in turn
unemployment rose by 15%
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During the war Northern Ireland experienced an economic renaissance. The ship
building industry rose to meet wartime demands. Over 140 warships were constructed
in the North mainly in Harland and Wolff and the Shorts Bros. Flax was in high
demand, the North set aside 15,000 acres for growing it. There was a major boom in
the linen industry due to the need for parachutes and uniforms. Wheat production
increased as did cattle numbers. Northern farmers benefited from government grants
and guaranteed prices for produce.
However on the 7th of April 1941 Belfast witnessed its first raid, shattering their false
sense of security. Belfast were extremely unprepared for such and attack believing
“There is very little likelihood of any attack being made upon us” (Sir Wilfred
Spencer, 1939). In all 13 people were killed and 81 injured. The dockyards were
severely damaged during the attack. Just one week later the Luftwaffe launched its
second attack on Belfast. Over 76 landmines were dropped. The death toll was at least
900 with 600 injured. The last major attack on Belfast, known as the Fire Raid
occurred on the night of 4-5th may 1941. An estimated 100,000 bombs were dropped
on the city. Few people died but a huge chunk of the city’s infrastructure was badly
damaged including the Harland and Wolff shipyard.
The post-war years brought further economic problems to the South. Electricity and
house-building were hindered by the lack of essential resources. The South also had to
deal with increasing unemployment and emigration along with rising prices. In the
North they were put under the Welfare State which awarded sacrifices made by
ordinary people during the war. The gap between the North and south widened
considerably as a result of the social and economic problems of WW2.
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