17,394
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 1:
Line 1: + + + + + + − + Line 9:
Line 15: − + + + + − + − +
add
[[Image:Eamon de Valera.jpg|right]]
[[Image:Eamon de Valera.jpg|right]]
'''Éamon de Valera''' (New York, October 14, 1882 - Dublin, August 29, 1975) was an Irish politician, Prime Minister (Taoiseach) of [[Ireland]] from 1951-1959 and President from 1959-1973. He was an important figure in the [[Easter Rising]], the Irish War for Independence (from Britain), and the Irish Civil War. De Valera as party leader and sometimes as Taoiseach (prime minister) dominated post-independence Irish politics for forty years.
'''Éamon de Valera''' (New York, October 14, 1882 - Dublin, August 29, 1975) was an Irish politician, Prime Minister (Taoiseach) of [[Ireland]] from 1951-1959 and President from 1959-1973. He was an important figure in the [[Easter Rising]], the Irish War for Independence (from Britain), and the Irish Civil War. De Valera as party leader and sometimes as Taoiseach (prime minister) dominated post-independence Irish politics for forty years.
A revolutionary who narrowly escaped execution by the British in 1917, he was a leading figure in the struggle for Irish independence. Although he repudiated the treaty that established the independent Irish Free State in 1922, de Valera relented in 1927. He was prime minister from 1932 until 1948 and again from 1951 to 1954 and from 1957 to 1959. He refused to allow Ireland to help in any way Britain or the United States against Germany in World War II.
In the 1930s his work in establishing Ireland as an independent state guaranteed his place in history in Irish, although one tarnished in American eyes by his blind spot toward Nazi Germany
History focuses more on his failures, comparing him unfavorable to his great rival [[Michael Collins]]. Valera's duplicity and betrayal of the Treaty process, and his rejection of agreed upon democratic procedures led to civil war and nearly destroyed Ireland at birth, Liberals decry his conservative social policies and his close relationship with the Catholic bishops. He was morally certain to the point of arrogance with a keen eye for his own political self-preservation. Yet for all that, he remained a deeply committed republican, consistent in his dream of creating a truly Irish Ireland that the Gaelic revivalists of the early twentieth century would have approved. That he failed in this task remained perhaps his greatest disappointment.
== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==
De Valera was born in New York City to an Irish mother, Catherine Coll de Valera, who had immigrated from [[County Limerick]], and Vivion de Valera, a [[Spain|Spanish]] artist. Catherine and Vivion were married in September 1881 in Jersey City, NJ<ref>[http://aoh32.org/2006_09_01_archive.html Ancient Order of Hibernians]</ref>. Vivion died in 1885, and the young Éamon went to live in Ireland with his uncle in Bruree, Limerick. At 16, de Valera enrolled at Blackrock College in [[Dublin]], and won several scholarships and awards. In 1903 he was hired as a mathematics teacher at Rockwell College in [[County Tipperary]]. He later returned to teach at Blackrock College after earing a mathematics degree from the Royal University of Ireland.
De Valera was born in New York City to an Irish mother, Catherine Coll de Valera, who had immigrated from [[County Limerick]], and Vivion de Valera, a Spanish artist. The father died in 1885, and the young Éamon went to live in Ireland with his uncle in Bruree, Limerick. At 16, de Valera enrolled at Blackrock College in [[Dublin]], and won several scholarships and awards. In 1903 he was hired as a mathematics teacher at Rockwell College in [[County Tipperary]]. He later returned to teach at Blackrock College after earing a mathematics degree from the Royal University of Ireland.
== Initial Political Activity ==
== Initial Political Activity ==
== Easter Rising ==
== Easter Rising ==
When the Rising began, on April 24, 1916, de Valera's forces occupied Boland's Mill in Dublin. There have been conflicting reports as to his performance during Easter Week; supporters claim he showed excellent leadership skills and tactical ability, while detractors claim that he suffered a nervous breakdown<ref>Coogan, T. P. (1993). ''De Valera: Long Fellow, Long Shadow.'' London: Hutchison.</ref>. Following the rebels' surrender, de Valera was sentenced to death by the British. His sentence was commuted to life in prison largely as a result of his American citizenship and the fact that at the time the British were trying to convince the [[United States]] to join [[World War I]] and feared that his execution would inflame American public opinion. De Valera was released along with the other prisoners in June 1917.
When the Rising began, on April 24, 1916, de Valera's forces occupied Boland's Mill in Dublin. There have been conflicting reports as to his performance during Easter Week; supporters claim he showed excellent leadership skills and tactical ability, while detractors claim that he suffered a nervous breakdown<ref>Coogan, ''De Valera: Long Fellow, Long Shadow.'' (1993)</ref>. Following the rebels' surrender, de Valera was sentenced to death by the British. His sentence was commuted to life in prison largely as a result of his American citizenship and the fact that at the time the British were trying to convince the United States to join [[World War I]] and feared that his execution would inflame [[Catholic Irish|Irish-American]] public opinion. De Valera was released along with the other prisoners in June 1917.
The Easter Rising transformed Irish politics, making independence (rather than home rule under British supervision) the goal.
== War of Independence ==
== War of Independence ==
In 1917 de Valera was elected to the [[House of Commons]] for East Clare in a special election to replace [[Willie Redmond]], who was killed in World War I. In May 1918 he was imprisoned again, but was reelected in 1919 as a member of [[Sinn Fein|Sinn Féin]], who won 73 of 105 Irish seats. In January 1919, the Sinn Féin representatives, who had refused to attend the House of Commons, formed an Irish parliament, Dáil Éireann, or Assembly of Ireland. De Valera escaped from jail in February 1919, and in April was elected Príomh Aire, or prime minister, of the Dáil. To raise money, seek official recognition of an Irish Republic, and obtain the support of the American people, de Valera visited the United States from June 1919 to December 1920. Though he raised $5.5 million, he was unable to secure official recognition from the US government.
In 1917 de Valera was elected to the British [[House of Commons]] for East Clare in a special election. In May 1918 he was imprisoned again, but was reelected in 1919 as a member of [[Sinn Fein|Sinn Féin]], who won 73 of 105 Irish seats. In January 1919, the Sinn Féin representatives, who had refused to attend the House of Commons, formed an Irish parliament, Dáil Éireann, or Assembly of Ireland. De Valera escaped from jail in February 1919, and in April was elected Príomh Aire, or prime minister, of the Dáil. To raise money, seek official recognition of an Irish Republic, and obtain the support of the American people, de Valera visited the United States from June 1919 to December 1920. Though he raised $5.5 million, he was unable to secure official recognition from the US government.
De Valera returned in January 1921 to an Ireland in the midst of war. However, a truce was declared in July, and de Valera met with [[David Lloyd George]], the British prime minister, on July 14, but a peace agreement could not be reached. Further negotiations took place from October through December 5, but de Valera did not participate, arguing that he was Irish head of state and should not participate unless the British head of state, [[King George V]], was also present. The Irish delegates [[Michael Collins]], [[Arthur Griffith]], and [[Robert Barton]] ultimately negotiated a treaty that proved controversial, as it made Ireland a dominion of the Commonwealth, and agreed that the King would be represented in Dublin by a Governor-General. Additionally, the treaty allowed for the partition of Ireland. De Valera was unhappy with the terms; he claimed that he had not participated in negotiations in order to better maintain control of extremists in Ireland, while others claimed that he knew the likely outcome and avoided participation in order to avoid responsibility. His two primary problems with the treaty were: (1) it required members of the Dáil to swear loyalty to the King; (2) it allowed Britain to retain control over several naval ports, potentially preventing Ireland from having an independent foreign policy. The treaty passed the Dáil 64-57, at which point de Valera and many like-minded TDs resigned.
De Valera returned in January 1921 to an Ireland in the midst of war. However, a truce was declared in July, and de Valera met with [[David Lloyd George]], the British prime minister, on July 14, but a peace agreement could not be reached. Further negotiations took place from October through December 5, but de Valera did not participate, arguing that he was Irish head of state and should not participate unless the British head of state, [[King George V]], was also present. The Irish delegates [[Michael Collins]], [[Arthur Griffith]], and [[Robert Barton]] ultimately negotiated a treaty that proved controversial, as it made Ireland a dominion of the Commonwealth, and agreed that the King would be represented in Dublin by a Governor-General. Additionally, the treaty allowed for the partition of Ireland. De Valera was unhappy with the terms; he claimed that he had not participated in negotiations in order to better maintain control of extremists in Ireland, while others claimed that he knew the likely outcome and avoided participation in order to avoid responsibility. His complained about two problems with the treaty: (1) it required members of the Dáil to swear loyalty to the King; (2) it allowed Britain to retain control over several naval ports, potentially preventing Ireland from having an independent foreign policy. The treaty passed the Dáil 64-57, at which point de Valera and many like-minded TDs resigned and rejected the democratic process. The real reason was the fact that Ulster had broken away to form [[Northern Ireland]] as part of Britain, and the radicals wanted it back, and were willing to rip the new nation apart.
== Civil War ==
== Civil War ==