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Fianna Fáil became the dominant party in the Dáil after the 1932 general election, and de Valera was appointed prime minister.  He quickly initiated an economic war against the UK that lasted until 1938, substantially damaging the Irish economy.  Fianna Fáil won general elections in 1933, 1937, 1938, and 1943.  His government generally worked toward dismantling the treaty with Britain.  In 1937, de Valera enacted a new Irish constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann, which resulted in a number of changes, including:  (1) the name of the state was changed from the Irish Free State to Éire; (2) it was claimed that the national territory included Northern Ireland; (3) an elected President of Ireland replaced the British governor-general; (4) the "special position" of the Roman Catholic Church was recognized; (5) divorce was outlawed; (6) Irish was declared the first official language.

Fianna Fáil became the dominant party in the Dáil after the 1932 general election, and de Valera was appointed prime minister.  He quickly initiated an economic war against the UK that lasted until 1938, substantially damaging the Irish economy.  Fianna Fáil won general elections in 1933, 1937, 1938, and 1943.  His government generally worked toward dismantling the treaty with Britain.  In 1937, de Valera enacted a new Irish constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann, which resulted in a number of changes, including:  (1) the name of the state was changed from the Irish Free State to Éire; (2) it was claimed that the national territory included Northern Ireland; (3) an elected President of Ireland replaced the British governor-general; (4) the "special position" of the Roman Catholic Church was recognized; (5) divorce was outlawed; (6) Irish was declared the first official language.

== Later Years ==

==Catholic social policy==

De Valera and the Dáil nearly unanimously believed that neutrality during [[World War II]] was the best policy. The government refused to allow Ameircan or British forces to use its airports or seaports. In 1945, de Valera was the only head of any state to extend condolences following Hitler's death.

He led his party Fianna Fáil to adopt conservative social policies, since he belived devoutly that the Catholic church and the family were central to Irish identity. He added clauses to the constitution of 1937 to "guard with special care the institution of marriage" and outlaw divorce. His constitution also recognised "the special position" of the Catholic Church, whilst guaranteeing the religious freedom of all citizens. His policies were welcomed by a largely devout, conservative and rural electorate. The articles in the constitution which reinforced the traditional view that a woman's place was in the home further illustrate the direction in which Ireland was moving. An act of 1935 prohibited the importation or sale of contraceptives. The most rigorous censorship laws in western Europe complete the picture.

Fianna Fáil was replaced in 1948 by a coalition government, but regained control in 1957.  De Valera remained as Taoiseach (prime minister) until 1959, when he was elected President, an office from which he retired in 1973 at age 90.  His son, [[Vivion de Valera]], served in the Dáil, as did his granddaughter [[Sile de Valera]].  A grandson, [[Eamon O Cuiv|Éamon Ó Cuív]] is a current TD.

 

Fianna Fáil was replaced in 1948 by a coalition government, but regained control in 1957.   

 

 

De Valera remained as Taoiseach (prime minister) until 1959, when he was elected President, a ceremonial office without power fromm which he retired in 1973 at age 90.

== See also ==

== See also ==