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Total Categories: 5
Ireland's policy of neutrality during World War II was primarily instigated by its President, rather than the Taoiseach.
Answer: False
The policy of neutrality was instigated by Taoiseach Éamon de Valera, not the President.
In 1939, Ireland was fully independent and had no remaining nominal links to the British Empire or Commonwealth.
Answer: False
In 1939, Ireland was nominally a Dominion of the British Empire and a member of the Commonwealth, with its final links severed only in 1949.
The Statute of Westminster 1931 was crucial in allowing the Irish Free State the option of remaining neutral in 1939, as it meant Britain's entry into war no longer automatically included its Dominions.
Answer: True
The Statute of Westminster 1931 provided the legal framework that allowed the Irish Free State to choose neutrality in 1939, unlike in World War I.
The 'Supreme Command' of the Defence Forces under Ireland's 1937 Constitution was vested in the Taoiseach.
Answer: False
Under the 1937 Constitution, the 'Supreme Command' of the Defence Forces was vested in the President of Ireland.
Joe Walshe, Secretary of the Department of External Affairs, justified Ireland's neutrality in 1941 by stating that small nations had a duty to defend all just causes, not just their own.
Answer: False
Joe Walshe justified neutrality by arguing that small nations could only defend their own causes, prioritizing national survival above all other considerations.
For de Valera, the primary purpose of maintaining a neutral stance during World War II was to preserve Irish independence.
Answer: True
De Valera's central motivation for Irish neutrality was to safeguard the nation's independence.
De Valera believed that an independent Ireland's safety was intrinsically linked to Britain's, suggesting mutual self-interest would make them allies in times of national danger.
Answer: True
De Valera articulated a belief that an independent Ireland's security was intertwined with Britain's, implying a future alliance based on shared national interest.
At the League of Nations in 1936, de Valera argued that small states should actively intervene in conflicts to maintain global peace.
Answer: False
De Valera argued that small states could only resolve not to become tools of great powers and resist being forced into war, rather than actively intervening.
What was Ireland's official policy during World War II, as instigated by Taoiseach Éamon de Valera?
Answer: Neutrality
What was Ireland's political status in relation to Britain at the beginning of World War II in 1939?
Answer: A Dominion of the British Empire and a member of the Commonwealth
What legal change provided the Irish Free State with the option of remaining neutral in 1939, unlike in World War I?
Answer: The Statute of Westminster 1931
When was Ireland's final nominal link with the British Crown severed?
Answer: 1949, with the British Ireland Act
Under Ireland's 1937 Constitution, who was vested with the 'Supreme Command' of the Defence Forces?
Answer: The President of Ireland
How did Joe Walshe, Secretary of the Department of External Affairs, justify Ireland's neutrality in 1941?
Answer: By stating small nations could not defend just causes except their own, necessitating neutrality for survival.
What was the primary purpose of Éamon de Valera's neutral stance during World War II?
Answer: To preserve Irish independence.
The period of World War II in Ireland was officially referred to as 'the Emergency' due to a constitutional article used to suspend normal governance.
Answer: True
The period was known as 'the Emergency,' a designation derived from the constitutional article invoked to suspend normal governance during the war.
The Emergency Powers Act, 1939, granted the Irish government limited powers, primarily focused on controlling wartime propaganda.
Answer: False
The Emergency Powers Act, 1939, granted the government sweeping executive powers for public safety, state preservation, and control of essential services, far beyond just propaganda.
During 'the Emergency,' de Valera's cabinet implemented censorship, including halting weather forecasts to prevent inadvertent assistance to warring aircraft or ships.
Answer: True
Censorship during 'the Emergency' included halting weather forecasts to avoid providing strategic information to belligerent forces.
Social and economic conditions in Ireland during 'the Emergency' were generally prosperous, with stable wages and abundant supplies.
Answer: False
Social and economic conditions during 'the Emergency' were harsh, marked by stagnating wages, rising prices, and severe shortages of fuel and foodstuffs.
The Irish government was concerned that the war might reopen the wounds of the Irish Civil War, given the existence of pro- and anti-fascist movements and the IRA's continued agenda.
Answer: True
The government feared the war could reignite civil war tensions due to existing political factions and the IRA's ongoing activities, and also feared IRA actions could provoke a British invasion.
De Valera responded to the IRA's bombing campaign in Britain by offering them amnesty in exchange for their cooperation during the war.
Answer: False
De Valera responded to the IRA's bombing campaign by enacting the Offences against the State Act, 1939, treating subversive activity as a threat to state security.
Ireland's shipping infrastructure was robust and well-maintained at the outbreak of World War II, ensuring reliable supply lines.
Answer: False
At the war's outset, Ireland's shipping infrastructure was neglected, with only 56 ships, making it highly dependent on foreign vessels.
The Irish Mercantile Marine, despite flying the Irish tricolour and painting 'EIRE' on their ships, was attacked predominantly by Allied powers.
Answer: False
The Irish Mercantile Marine faced attacks from both Allied and Axis powers, but predominantly from the Axis, despite efforts to identify as neutral.
How was the period of World War II commonly referred to in Ireland?
Answer: The Emergency
What legislative action did the Dáil take on September 1, 1939, in response to the German invasion of Poland?
Answer: Declared an immediate state of emergency, culminating in the Emergency Powers Act.
Which of the following was a key provision of the Emergency Powers Act, 1939?
Answer: Granted the government sweeping executive powers for public safety and state preservation.
How did de Valera's cabinet control information during 'the Emergency'?
Answer: By implementing censorship of radio newscasts and halting weather forecasts.
What characterized the social and economic conditions in Ireland during 'the Emergency'?
Answer: Stagnating wages, rising prices, and serious shortages.
What was de Valera's response to the IRA's escalating violence and bombing campaign in Britain prior to World War II?
Answer: He enacted the Offences against the State Act, 1939.
What was the state of Ireland's shipping infrastructure at the outbreak of World War II?
Answer: It had been neglected since independence, with only 56 ships.
Ireland strictly maintained its official neutrality throughout World War II without any unpublicized exceptions or cooperation with warring factions.
Answer: False
Despite official neutrality, Ireland engaged in unpublicized cooperation with the Allies, such as providing weather reports and allowing the use of the Donegal Corridor.
Malcolm MacDonald proposed to de Valera in 1940 that Britain would guarantee a united Ireland if the independent Irish state abandoned its neutrality and joined the war against Germany and Italy.
Answer: True
Malcolm MacDonald's 1940 proposal offered an undertaking for a united Ireland in exchange for Ireland abandoning neutrality and joining the Allied war effort.
De Valera rejected the British proposal to end partition in 1940 because he believed it would commit Ireland to an immediate abandonment of neutrality without a firm guarantee of a united Ireland.
Answer: True
De Valera rejected the proposal due to the lack of a firm guarantee for a united Ireland and the immediate requirement to abandon neutrality.
The lack of Irish 'treaty ports' significantly benefited British military capabilities during the war, as it allowed them to focus resources elsewhere.
Answer: False
The absence of Irish treaty ports posed a serious disadvantage to British fighting and trade capabilities, increasing the risk of invasion if the disadvantage became too great.
Lord Craigavon, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, urged Winston Churchill to invade 'southern Ireland' and install a Governor-General for the entire island.
Answer: True
Lord Craigavon indeed proposed to Churchill that British forces should overrun 'southern Ireland' and establish a Governor-General for the whole island.
Winston Churchill fully supported Lord Craigavon's proposal to invade 'southern Ireland' and immediately ordered the necessary military preparations.
Answer: False
Churchill rejected Craigavon's invasion proposal but did order plans to seize specific Irish ports for naval bases.
Later in World War II, Irish ports became even more vital for the Allies due to increased submarine activity.
Answer: False
Later in the war, Irish ports became less vital for the Allies due to advancements in submarine-detecting technology and the establishment of bases in Iceland.
'Plan W' was a British plan to invade Ireland without invitation, to secure its ports against a German threat.
Answer: False
'Plan W' was a contingency plan for British troops to occupy Ireland at de Valera's invitation in the event of a German landing, not an uninvited invasion.
The Cranborne Report, presented in February 1945, detailed various ways Ireland had covertly assisted the Allied war effort despite its official neutrality.
Answer: True
The Cranborne Report documented numerous instances of covert Irish-British collaboration, demonstrating Ireland's assistance to the Allied war effort despite its neutral stance.
Ireland interned all German fighting personnel but allowed Allied service personnel to depart freely and assisted in recovering damaged aircraft.
Answer: True
Ireland interned German military personnel but, after negotiations, permitted Allied service personnel to leave and aided in aircraft recovery.
Which of the following was an unpublicized instance where Ireland's official neutrality was contravened?
Answer: Supplying weather reports from Blacksod Bay to the Allies
What did British envoy Malcolm MacDonald propose to Ireland in 1940 regarding the partition of Ireland?
Answer: An undertaking to accept 'the principle of a United Ireland' if Ireland abandoned neutrality.
Why did Éamon de Valera reject the British proposal to end partition in 1940?
Answer: He believed there was no guarantee of a united Ireland and it would abandon neutrality immediately.
What was the impact of Ireland's lack of 'treaty ports' on British military capabilities during the war?
Answer: It provided a serious disadvantage to British fighting and trade capabilities.
Who proposed to Winston Churchill that Scottish and Welsh troops should overrun 'southern Ireland' and install a Governor-General for the entire island?
Answer: Lord Craigavon
How did Winston Churchill respond to Lord Craigavon's proposal to invade 'southern Ireland'?
Answer: He rejected the invasion but directed plans to seize Cork and Queenstown for naval bases.
What factors made Irish ports less vital for the Allies later in World War II?
Answer: Advancements in submarine-detecting technology and bases in Iceland.
What was 'Plan W'?
Answer: A contingency plan for British troops to occupy Ireland at de Valera's invitation in case of a German landing.
What was the purpose of the Cranborne Report, presented to the British War Cabinet in February 1945?
Answer: To detail Irish-British collaboration and covert assistance to the Allied war effort.
Which of the following was NOT listed in the Cranborne Report as an instance of Irish-British collaboration?
Answer: Direct deployment of Irish troops to fight alongside British forces.
Elements of the Irish Republican movement sided with the Third Reich at the onset of World War II, hoping a German victory would lead to a United Ireland.
Answer: True
Some elements of the Irish Republican movement believed a German victory could facilitate the unification of Ireland.
Seán Russell, an IRA leader, successfully returned to Ireland after obtaining arms and support from Germany as part of Operation Dove.
Answer: False
Seán Russell died on a submarine while attempting to return to Ireland as part of Operation Dove, after seeking German support.
By 1943, the IRA had largely ceased to exist, as German intelligence realized they had overestimated its capabilities.
Answer: True
German intelligence quickly apprehended their agents in Ireland and by 1943, recognized the IRA's limited capabilities, leading to its decline.
Joe Walshe, Secretary of External Affairs, privately expressed 'great admiration for the German achievements' in mid-June 1940, contrasting with Ireland's official neutrality.
Answer: True
Joe Walshe's private admiration for German achievements in 1940 indicated a personal sentiment that diverged from Ireland's official neutral stance.
By 1944, German Minister Hempel noted that the Irish Government had become more cooperative and agreeable in its relations with Germany.
Answer: False
By 1944, German Minister Hempel observed that the Irish Government had become 'unhelpful and evasive' towards Germany, as a German victory seemed unlikely.
Taoiseach Éamon de Valera personally visited German Ambassador Hempel to express official condolences on Adolf Hitler's death, following standard diplomatic protocol.
Answer: True
De Valera personally visited Ambassador Hempel to offer official condolences on Hitler's death, adhering to diplomatic protocol for a head of state of a country with a legation in Ireland.
Ireland's official condolences on Hitler's death were widely mirrored by other Western European democracies, indicating a shared diplomatic approach.
Answer: False
No other Western European democracies followed Ireland's example in offering official condolences on Hitler's death, leading to international protest.
De Valera denounced reports of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp as 'anti-national propaganda' because he genuinely disbelieved the atrocities.
Answer: False
De Valera's denouncement of the Bergen-Belsen reports was not due to disbelief, but because the Holocaust undermined the moral equivalence underpinning Ireland's neutrality narrative.
Ireland maintained an open-door policy for Jewish refugees fleeing Europe during World War II, welcoming those in need.
Answer: False
Ireland maintained a skeptical stance towards Jewish refugees, often turning away applicants with justifications such as overcrowding or potential antisemitism.
What was the belief of some elements of the Irish Republican movement at the onset of World War II regarding a German victory?
Answer: It might lead to a United Ireland.
What was the fate of Seán Russell, an IRA leader who sought German support during World War II?
Answer: He died on a submarine while returning to Ireland as part of Operation Dove.
By what year had the IRA largely ceased to exist, partly due to German realization of their overestimated capabilities?
Answer: 1943
What controversial action did Taoiseach Éamon de Valera take upon the death of Adolf Hitler?
Answer: He personally visited German Ambassador Hempel to express official condolences.
How did de Valera react to reports of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp?
Answer: He denounced them as 'anti-national propaganda' because they undermined Ireland's neutrality narrative.
What was Ireland's general position on Jewish refugees fleeing Europe during World War II?
Answer: They maintained a position of skepticism, often turning away applicants.
While Irish neutrality was supported by its population, a significant number of Irish citizens chose to serve in the British armed forces during the war.
Answer: True
Despite popular support for neutrality, at least 50,000 Irish citizens served in the British Army, with others joining the Merchant Navy and Royal Air Force.
Members of the Irish Defence Forces who deserted to fight with the Allies were immediately pardoned after the war and reinstated with full benefits.
Answer: False
Deserting members of the Defence Forces faced discrimination, lost pensions, and were barred from government jobs, with a formal pardon only issued in 2013.
Ireland's neutrality policy led to its immediate acceptance into the United Nations after the war, as it was seen as a non-aligned nation.
Answer: False
Ireland's neutrality policy resulted in a significant delay in its UN membership, with applications vetoed by the Soviet Union for nearly a decade.
The Soviet Union's primary reason for vetoing Ireland's UN membership was Ireland's strong diplomatic ties with the Axis powers during the war.
Answer: False
While stated reasons included lack of diplomatic presence and non-assistance to Allies, Ireland's anti-communist stance was likely the more significant, unstated reason for the Soviet veto.
Ireland was finally accepted into the United Nations in 1955, almost a decade after its initial application.
Answer: True
Ireland's application for UN membership in 1946 was finally accepted on December 15, 1955, after years of Soviet vetoes.
Approximately how many Irish citizens served in the British Army during World War II, despite Ireland's neutrality?
Answer: At least 50,000
What were the consequences for members of the Irish Defence Forces who deserted to fight with the Allies after World War II?
Answer: They faced discrimination, lost pensions, and were barred from government jobs.
How did Ireland's neutrality policy affect its membership in the United Nations?
Answer: It resulted in a considerable delay, with applications vetoed by the Soviet Union.
What was the probable, rather than stated, reason for the Soviet Union's veto of Ireland's UN membership application?
Answer: Ireland's anti-communist stance.
When was Ireland finally accepted into the United Nations?
Answer: 1955