The new Fianna Fáil Government's approach was very different to that of the previous administration, and, by the mid 1930s, the State was engaged in an unnecessary and crippling economic war with Britain.

Unemployment and emigration soared, and the Second World War, in which Ireland remained neutral, added to the country' s economic woes.

In 1933, Cumann na nGaedheal, the smaller Centre Party and the Army Comrades' Association merged to become Fine Gael.

While the economy was in severe decline, the mood of the nation was one of narrow nationalism directed against Britain.

This ran contrary to Fine Gael' s ethos of pluralism and tolerance, and consequently, the new party suffered in elections. By 1944, Fine Gael had just 30 seats in the Dáil.