Changes

The party was borne out of the supporters of the [[1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty]] which ended the Irish War of Independence and established an Irish Free State. The treaty caused the split of the old Sinn Féin party (not to be confused with the current party of the same name), with the pro-treaty wing establishing a new party, ''Cumann na nGaedheal'' (Clan of the Gael). Cumann na nGaedheal was elected to government in 1922, and under the leadership of [[William T. Cosgrave]] it played a vital role in reconstructing an island that had been devastated by years of war. Among the Cosgrave government's achievements were successfully establishing a national power grid, successfully and quickly establishing a new national police force, the Garda Síochána (guardians of the peace), and building a new Irish economy - though the Crash of 1929 hindered this ambition.

The party was borne out of the supporters of the [[1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty]] which ended the Irish War of Independence and established an Irish Free State. The treaty caused the split of the old Sinn Féin party (not to be confused with the current party of the same name), with the pro-treaty wing establishing a new party, ''Cumann na nGaedheal'' (Clan of the Gael). Cumann na nGaedheal was elected to government in 1922, and under the leadership of [[William T. Cosgrave]] it played a vital role in reconstructing an island that had been devastated by years of war. Among the Cosgrave government's achievements were successfully establishing a national power grid, successfully and quickly establishing a new national police force, the Garda Síochána (guardians of the peace), and building a new Irish economy - though the Crash of 1929 hindered this ambition.

The party lost the general election of 1932 to Fíanna Fáil, a party established by the anti-treaty branch of the old Sinn Féin. During its years in opposition, Cumann na nGaedheal underwent a number of changes, merging with the Catholic Centre Party and the newly-formed National Guard to form the new ''Fine Gael'' party in 1934, under the new leadership of Eoin O'Duffy. This was the same decade that [[fascism]] experienced a huge growth throughout Europe, and it had been observed that O'Duffy's National Guard had been emulating some superficial fascist elements - most notably the use of uniforms that saw them nicknamed Blueshirts. O'Duffy's experimentation in fascism did not meet well with Cosgrave and other party figures, and he was dismissed from the party. Fine Gael remained a party dedicated to democracy.

The party lost the general election of 1932 to Fíanna Fáil, a party established by the anti-treaty branch of the old Sinn Féin. During its years in opposition, Cumann na nGaedheal underwent a number of changes, merging with the Catholic Centre Party and the newly formed National Guard to form the new ''Fine Gael'' party in 1934, under the new leadership of Eoin O'Duffy. This was the same decade that [[fascism]] experienced a huge growth throughout Europe, and it had been observed that O'Duffy's National Guard had been emulating some superficial fascist elements - most notably the use of uniforms that saw them nicknamed Blueshirts. O'Duffy's experimentation in fascism did not meet well with Cosgrave and other party figures, and he was dismissed from the party. Fine Gael remained a party dedicated to democracy.

The 1940s and 1950s saw the party return to government as components of so-called "Inter Party" coalitions containing other parties such as the [[Labour Party]] and the short-lived Clann na Poblachta (Republican Party). It was a Fine Gael [[Taoiseach]], [[John A. Costello]], who formally declared Ireland a republic in 1949.

The 1940s and 1950s saw the party return to government as components of so-called "Inter Party" coalitions containing other parties such as the [[Labour Party]] and the short-lived Clann na Poblachta (Republican Party). It was a Fine Gael [[Taoiseach]], [[John A. Costello]], who formally declared Ireland a republic in 1949.