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[[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 [[History of Ireland|Ireland]] from 1932 until 1948 and again from 1951 to 1954 and from 1957 to 1959.  He was the ceremonial President from 1959-1973. De Valera was an important figure in the [[Easter Rising]] and the Irish War for Independence from Britain. After his release from prison in 1917, de Valera was elected president of Sinn Fein and in 1919 he became president of Dail Eireann, the revolutionary assembly.  His refusal to take part in the 1921 negotiations with Britain left the leadership to Arthur Griffith and [[Michael Collins]], who obtained independence with a minor acknowledgement of ties to the British Commonswealth.  Worse, the six protestant provinces remained part of Britain. That was too much of a concession for de Valera and his antitreaty forces; they were defeated in the legislature and in elections, but waged a civil war against the new government of Ireland.  The rebels were defeated in the ensuing civil war, but Collins was killed too.

'''Éamon de Valera''' (New York, October 14, 1882 - Dublin, August 29, 1975) was an Irish politician, Prime Minister ("[[Taoiseach]]") of [[History of Ireland|Ireland]] from 1932 until 1948 and again from 1951 to 1954 and from 1957 to 1959.  He was the ceremonial President from 1959-1973. De Valera was an important figure in the [[Easter Rising]] and the Irish War for Independence from Britain. After his release from prison in 1917, de Valera was elected president of Sinn Fein and in 1919 he became president of Dail Eireann, the revolutionary assembly.  His refusal to take part in the 1921 negotiations with Britain left the leadership to Arthur Griffith and [[Michael Collins]], who obtained independence with a minor acknowledgement of ties to the British Commonswealth.  Worse, the six Protestant provinces remained part of Britain. That was too much of a concession for de Valera and his antitreaty forces; they were defeated in the legislature and in elections, but waged a civil war against the new government of Ireland.  The rebels were defeated in the ensuing civil war, but Collins was killed too.

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.

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. He dominated post-independence Irish politics for forty years.  

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. He dominated post-independence Irish politics for forty years.  

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.

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.

In his devout Catholicism, his rejection of material ostentation, his determination to revive the Irish language, and his inability to comprehend Protestant Ulster's fears of Catholic domination, de Valera was representative of his generation in southern Ireland.   

In his devout Catholicism, his rejection of material ostentation, his determination to revive the Irish language, and his inability to comprehend Protestant Ulster's fears of Catholic domination, de Valera was representative of his generation in southern Ireland.   

== 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 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.

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.

== 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, ''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.

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.

The Easter Rising transformed Irish politics, making independence (rather than home rule under British supervision) the goal.

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 F&eacute;in]], who won 73 of 105 Irish seats.  In January 1919, the Sinn F&eacute;in representatives, who had refused to attend the House of Commons, formed an Irish parliament, D&aacute;il &Eacute;ireann, or Assembly of Ireland.  De Valera escaped from jail in February 1919, and in April was elected Pr&iacute;omh Aire, or prime minister, of the D&aacute;il.  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 F&eacute;in]], who won 73 of 105 Irish seats.  In January 1919, the Sinn F&eacute;in representatives, who had refused to attend the House of Commons, formed an Irish parliament, D&aacute;il &Eacute;ireann, or Assembly of Ireland.  De Valera escaped from jail in February 1919, and in April was elected Pr&iacute;omh Aire, or prime minister, of the D&aacute;il.  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 with Britain.  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, making the ridiculous argument that he was Irish head of state and should not participate unless the British head of state, [[King George V]], was also present (the king was a figurehead and de valera was not).  The Irish delegates [[Michael Collins]], [[Arthur Griffith]], and [[Robert Barton]] ultimately negotiated a treaty that gained independence with trivial links to the British Commonwealth. More important, , the treaty recognized the partition of Ireland into a Catholic South and a Protestant North.  De Valera rejected 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 D&aacute;il 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 D&aacute;il 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.

De Valera returned in January 1921 to an Ireland in the midst of war with Britain.  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, making the ridiculous argument that he was Irish head of state and should not participate unless the British head of state, [[King George V]], was also present (the king was a figurehead and de valera was not).  The Irish delegates Michael Collins, [[Arthur Griffith]], and [[Robert Barton]] ultimately negotiated a treaty that gained independence with trivial links to the British Commonwealth. More important, the treaty recognized the partition of Ireland into a Catholic South and a Protestant North.  De Valera rejected 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 D&aacute;il 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 D&aacute;il 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 ==

* Coogan, Tim Pat. ''De Valera: Long Fellow, Long Shadow'' (1995)

* Coogan, Tim Pat. ''De Valera: Long Fellow, Long Shadow'' (1995)

* Dunphy, Richard. ''The Making of Fianna Fail Power in Ireland, 1923-1948'' (1995) 346 pp. [http://www.questia.com/read/58750442?title=The%20Making%20of%20Fianna%20Fail%20Power%20in%20Ireland%2c%201923-1948 online edition]

* Dunphy, Richard. ''The Making of Fianna Fail Power in Ireland, 1923-1948'' (1995) 346 pp. [http://www.questia.com/read/58750442?title=The%20Making%20of%20Fianna%20Fail%20Power%20in%20Ireland%2c%201923-1948 online edition]

* Dwyer,, T. Ryle ''Big Fellow, Long Fellow: A Joint Biography of Collins and De Valera'' (2006) [http://www.amazon.com/Big-Fellow-Long-Biography-Collins/dp/0717140849/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263223590&sr=1-4 excerpt and text search]

* Dwyer, T. Ryle ''Big Fellow, Long Fellow: A Joint Biography of Collins and De Valera'' (2006) [https://www.amazon.com/Big-Fellow-Long-Biography-Collins/dp/0717140849/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263223590&sr=1-4 excerpt and text search]

*  Lee J. J. ''Ireland, 1912-1985: Politics and Society'' (1989).  

*  Lee J. J. ''Ireland, 1912-1985: Politics and Society'' (1989).  

* O'Carroll, J.P. and John A. Murphy, eds. ''De Valera and His Times'' (1993) [http://www.amazon.com/Valera-His-Times-J-P-OCarroll/dp/0902561448/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263223590&sr=1-8 excerpt and text search]

* O'Carroll, J.P. and John A. Murphy, eds. ''De Valera and His Times'' (1993) [https://www.amazon.com/Valera-His-Times-J-P-OCarroll/dp/0902561448/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263223590&sr=1-8 excerpt and text search]

== References ==

== References ==

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[[Category:Ireland]]

[[Category:Ireland]]

[[Category:British History]]

[[Category:British History]]

[[Category:Irish History]]

[[Category:Irish History]]

[[Category:British Empire]]

[[Category:British Empire]]