De Valera the Neutral

De Valera the Neutral

1932-1948

1932-1948

Hulton Getty

Even though there seems to be some ill ideas about De Valera, he does deserve the benefit of the doubt. He stated multiple times that his purpose for neutrality was to keep Ireland safe. De Valera stated, “We are fully aware that this policy does not guarantee the country immunity from attack. There is always the possibility of attack should one side or the other decide, during the progress of the war, that the circumstances are such that the resultant advantages to the hostile invasion need be feared from one side only. But, so long as we are neutral, there is a possibility that the danger of attack may be averted; whilst, if we invite military assistance from one side, immediate attack by the other side, with al it consequences, will be almost inevitable” (Keogh 114-115). It is confusing to decipher De Valera’s true intentions during the war; his actions often sway hard one way or the other.
De Valera’s actions were the object of much scrutiny and laughter. It can be seen in things such as this political cartoon, that one can see what the rest of the world thought. They felt that he would overlook the human rights of other countries just to keep his own country afloat. It is difficult to discuss De Valera without being swayed to feel one way or the other about him. This is obvious in literature about him. The important thing is to try to understand why he may have acted the way he did. Perhaps then, can we understand the actions of De Valera.

Jackson, Alvin. Ireland, 1798-1998. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishers, 1999.

Second World War in Northern Ireland. "Belfast Blitz Then & Now." 2014. http://www.ww2ni.webs.com/belfastblitzthennow.htm (accessed 25 Feb 2014).

Keogh, Dermot. Twentieth-century Ireland. New York, N.Y.: St. Martins, 1994.

Lydon, James F. The Making of Ireland. London: Routledge, 1998.

Politics

Hulton Getty

Kelsie Cagle

Photograph

Political Cartoon