Ireland's Engagement with the League of Nations: Path to Independence
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How did Ireland engage with the League of
How did Ireland engage with the League of
Nations?
Nations?
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How did this tie in with movements
How did this tie in with movements
towards Irish independence?
towards Irish independence?
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How has Ireland engaged on the world
How has Ireland engaged on the world
stage since the League of Nations?
stage since the League of Nations?
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Ireland, then known as the Irish Free
Ireland, then known as the Irish Free
State, joined the League of Nations
State, joined the League of Nations
in September 1923 (Pictured)
in September 1923 (Pictured)
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It was an early statement of Ireland’s
It was an early statement of Ireland’s
independence as it was just
independence as it was just
emerging from the War of
emerging from the War of
Independence & subsequent Civil
Independence & subsequent Civil
War
War
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Seeking to show Ireland’s independence, their
Seeking to show Ireland’s independence, their
travel documents were in Irish, they used the Irish
travel documents were in Irish, they used the Irish
forms of their names and communicated in French,
forms of their names and communicated in French,
Irish and only finally in English
Irish and only finally in English
” – Irish Times
” – Irish Times
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Ireland now joined the other nations on the world
Ireland now joined the other nations on the world
stage
stage
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“Addressing the assembly, Cosgrave began in Irish,
“Addressing the assembly, Cosgrave began in Irish,
and moved to English, concluding that Ireland
and moved to English, concluding that Ireland
“resolved to play her part” in making “this great
“resolved to play her part” in making “this great
institution for peace as complete and efficient as
institution for peace as complete and efficient as
possible
possible
.” – Irish Times
.” – Irish Times
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Cosgrave wanted to affirm Ireland’s independence
Cosgrave wanted to affirm Ireland’s independence
through membership of the League of Nations
through membership of the League of Nations
◼
Ireland became a member of the League in
Ireland became a member of the League in
September 1923, as a dominion of the British
September 1923, as a dominion of the British
Commonwealth
Commonwealth
◼
Cosgrave had the Treaty registered as an international
Cosgrave had the Treaty registered as an international
treaty between two states, against the protests of the
treaty between two states, against the protests of the
British government which argued that it was in
British government which argued that it was in
internal British treaty
internal British treaty
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Mr. DE VALERA, speaking in Irish, said it was fitting that the Dáil should
Mr. DE VALERA, speaking in Irish, said it was fitting that the Dáil should
make a solemn pronouncement on the League of Nations, thus
make a solemn pronouncement on the League of Nations, thus
demonstrating that Ireland was not selfish or self-absorbed, recognising
demonstrating that Ireland was not selfish or self-absorbed, recognising
no obligation to anyone else. They were eager to take part in every great
no obligation to anyone else. They were eager to take part in every great
world-undertaking that the peoples of the world should impose upon
world-undertaking that the peoples of the world should impose upon
themselves for the good of all, and to undertake the full duties of a free
themselves for the good of all, and to undertake the full duties of a free
nation. They were ready to enter any League of Nations in which each
nation. They were ready to enter any League of Nations in which each
nation would be under the obligation not to resort to arms against
nation would be under the obligation not to resort to arms against
another nation in the League without first submitting the matter at issue
another nation in the League without first submitting the matter at issue
to a Court of Arbitration. But they were not prepared to enter the League
to a Court of Arbitration. But they were not prepared to enter the League
as it was appearing at present
as it was appearing at present
.” – Oireachtas.ie
.” – Oireachtas.ie
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Mr. M. COLLINS stated that the motion the Ministry wished to have adopted was:
Mr. M. COLLINS stated that the motion the Ministry wished to have adopted was:
"The elected Parliament and Government of the Irish Republic pledged the active
"The elected Parliament and Government of the Irish Republic pledged the active
support of the Irish Nation in translating into deeds the principles enunciated by the
support of the Irish Nation in translating into deeds the principles enunciated by the
President of the U.S. at Washington's tomb on July 4th, 1918, and whole-heartedly
President of the U.S. at Washington's tomb on July 4th, 1918, and whole-heartedly
accepted by the people of America during the war. We are eager and ready to enter a
accepted by the people of America during the war. We are eager and ready to enter a
World League of Nations based on equality of rights, in which the guarantees
World League of Nations based on equality of rights, in which the guarantees
exchanged neither recognise nor imply a difference between big nations and small,
exchanged neither recognise nor imply a difference between big nations and small,
between those that are powerful and those that are weak. We are willing to accept all
between those that are powerful and those that are weak. We are willing to accept all
the duties, responsibilities, and burdens which inclusion in such a League implies
the duties, responsibilities, and burdens which inclusion in such a League implies
.” –
.” –
Oireachtas.ie
Oireachtas.ie
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Heads of state such as W.T. Cosgrave & Eamon de
Heads of state such as W.T. Cosgrave & Eamon de
Valera used the League of Nations as a staging
Valera used the League of Nations as a staging
ground to cultivate stronger relations & ties with
ground to cultivate stronger relations & ties with
other countries around the world, both big & small
other countries around the world, both big & small
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As an equal nation in the League Ireland played a key
As an equal nation in the League Ireland played a key
role in several international events
role in several international events
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Ireland was elected to the Council of the League for a
Ireland was elected to the Council of the League for a
three year term in 1930
three year term in 1930
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On behalf of Ireland, one of the oldest and yet one of the
On behalf of Ireland, one of the oldest and yet one of the
youngest nations, and speaking for the Irish government
youngest nations, and speaking for the Irish government
and the Irish delegation, I thank this assembly of the
and the Irish delegation, I thank this assembly of the
League of Nations for the unanimous courtesy and
League of Nations for the unanimous courtesy and
readiness with which our application to be admitted to
readiness with which our application to be admitted to
membership of the League has been received and
membership of the League has been received and
approved
approved
.” – W.T. Cosgrave on Ireland joining the League
.” – W.T. Cosgrave on Ireland joining the League
of Nations, 10
of Nations, 10
th
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September, 1923
September, 1923
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We shall return to our own country to take part with our own patriotic
We shall return to our own country to take part with our own patriotic
people in the enormous work of national construction and consolidation.
people in the enormous work of national construction and consolidation.
The kind welcome, the cordial words of understanding, that have greeted
The kind welcome, the cordial words of understanding, that have greeted
us here on the part of every nation whose representatives we have met,
us here on the part of every nation whose representatives we have met,
will not be forgotten. They will cheer and sustain us in that work, and they
will not be forgotten. They will cheer and sustain us in that work, and they
will remind us, too, that as the life of a man is bettered and fructified
will remind us, too, that as the life of a man is bettered and fructified
beyond measure in the harmonious society of men, so must the life of
beyond measure in the harmonious society of men, so must the life of
nations reach a much fuller liberty and a much fuller dignity in the
nations reach a much fuller liberty and a much fuller dignity in the
harmonious society of nations.
harmonious society of nations.
” – W.T. Cosgrave on Ireland joining the
” – W.T. Cosgrave on Ireland joining the
League of Nations, 10
League of Nations, 10
th
th
September, 1923
September, 1923
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Michael MacWhite (1883-1958), a
Michael MacWhite (1883-1958), a
former teacher, French Foreign
former teacher, French Foreign
Legionnaire and journalist born in
Legionnaire and journalist born in
Glandore, Co Cork, was one of
Glandore, Co Cork, was one of
Ireland’s first diplomats.
Ireland’s first diplomats.
•
He was Ireland’s first permanent
He was Ireland’s first permanent
delegate to the League of Nations
delegate to the League of Nations
(1923-9).
(1923-9).
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Sean Lester was an Irish diplomat & by 1929
Sean Lester was an Irish diplomat & by 1929
hew was Ireland’s representative to the
hew was Ireland’s representative to the
League of Nations
League of Nations
•
He ultimately became the Secretary General
He ultimately became the Secretary General
of the League of Nations, although he would
of the League of Nations, although he would
turn out to be it’s last as it was dissolved
turn out to be it’s last as it was dissolved
after World War II to make room for the
after World War II to make room for the
United Nations
United Nations
•
“And so that first step of joining the League of Nations in 1923
“And so that first step of joining the League of Nations in 1923
and the decision to take a principled, independent approach in
and the decision to take a principled, independent approach in
multilateral affairs continues to find expression in Irish foreign
multilateral affairs continues to find expression in Irish foreign
policy today. As our team walks the same halls of the Palais des
policy today. As our team walks the same halls of the Palais des
Nations in Geneva, those same objectives and values inform our
Nations in Geneva, those same objectives and values inform our
everyday work- a commitment to multilateralism, peaceful
everyday work- a commitment to multilateralism, peaceful
settlement of disputes, disarmament, human rights and the rule
settlement of disputes, disarmament, human rights and the rule
of law
of law
.” – Department of Foreign Affairs Website
.” – Department of Foreign Affairs Website
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In 1932 Ireland was chair of the League of Nations and de Valera
In 1932 Ireland was chair of the League of Nations and de Valera
used this platform to further Irish independence
used this platform to further Irish independence
◼
He called out the League for failing to protect the rights of smaller
He called out the League for failing to protect the rights of smaller
nations;
nations;
◼
“People are saying that the equality of States does not apply here
“People are saying that the equality of States does not apply here
in the things that matter, that the smaller States whilst being
in the things that matter, that the smaller States whilst being
given a voice have little influence in the final determination of
given a voice have little influence in the final determination of
League action”
League action”
◼
De Valera used the League to establish friendly relations with
De Valera used the League to establish friendly relations with
other nations, which Ireland would need during the Economic
other nations, which Ireland would need during the Economic
War, and to boost his profile at home as a ‘world statesman’
War, and to boost his profile at home as a ‘world statesman’
◼
He cultivated relations with small nations which would garnish
He cultivated relations with small nations which would garnish
support for the dismantling of the Treaty in the future
support for the dismantling of the Treaty in the future
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“However it may be disguised, it can only be with a feeling of bitter
“However it may be disguised, it can only be with a feeling of bitter
humiliation that each successive speaker has during these days come to this
humiliation that each successive speaker has during these days come to this
Tribune.
Tribune.
•
Over fifty nations pledged themselves to one another in the most solemn
Over fifty nations pledged themselves to one another in the most solemn
manner each to respect the independence and to preserve the integrity of the
manner each to respect the independence and to preserve the integrity of the
territories of the others. One of these nations turned its back on its pledges
territories of the others. One of these nations turned its back on its pledges
freely given, and was adjudged almost unanimously by the remainder to
freely given, and was adjudged almost unanimously by the remainder to
have been an aggressor, and now, one by one, we have come here to confess
have been an aggressor, and now, one by one, we have come here to confess
that we can do nothing effective about it.
that we can do nothing effective about it.
•
Over fifty nations we banded ourselves together for collective security. Over
Over fifty nations we banded ourselves together for collective security. Over
fifty nations we have now to confess publicly that we must abandon the
fifty nations we have now to confess publicly that we must abandon the
victim to his fate.
victim to his fate.
•
It is a sad confession, as well as a bitter one. It is the fulfilment of the worst
It is a sad confession, as well as a bitter one. It is the fulfilment of the worst
predictions of all who decried the League and said it could not succeed.
predictions of all who decried the League and said it could not succeed.
•
As has been said already, we are all of us in some measure responsible for
As has been said already, we are all of us in some measure responsible for
this pitiable position, some much more responsible than others. Read the
this pitiable position, some much more responsible than others. Read the
speech delivered here by the Emperor of Ethiopia. Does any delegate deny
speech delivered here by the Emperor of Ethiopia. Does any delegate deny
that, so far as it relates to what has happened here, there is to his knowledge
that, so far as it relates to what has happened here, there is to his knowledge
truth in every line of it?
truth in every line of it?
.” – Eamon de Valera to the League of Nations
.” – Eamon de Valera to the League of Nations
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How did Ireland engage with the League of
How did Ireland engage with the League of
Nations?
Nations?
•
How did this tie in with movements
How did this tie in with movements
towards Irish independence?
towards Irish independence?
•
How has Ireland engaged on the world
How has Ireland engaged on the world
stage since the League of Nations?
stage since the League of Nations?
Source: https://www.nationalarchives.ie/article/april-document-month/
Seated (l-r): Hugh Kennedy (Attorney General), William T Cosgrave (President of the Executive Council) and Eoin MacNeill (Minister for Education).
Standing (l-r): Michael MacWhite (Permanent Representative of Ireland to the League of Nations); Desmond FitzGerald (Minister for External Affairs); The Marquis MacSwiney of Mashonaglas (Substitute Delegate); Kevin O’Sheil (Assistant Legal Adviser); Ormond Grattan Esmond TD (Delegate); Diarmaid O’Hegarty (Cabinet Secretary) and Gearóid McGann (Secretary to the President of the Executive Council).
Ireland's entry into the League of Nations in 1923 marked a significant step towards independence after the War of Independence and Civil War. Through joining the League and asserting its independence, Ireland demonstrated its readiness to participate in global initiatives for peace and cooperation. This decision was reinforced by the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the country's commitment to international treaties. The debate in Dail Eireann highlighted Ireland's willingness to engage with the international community while upholding its sovereignty.
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Presentation Transcript
Ireland & Ireland & the league the league of Nations of Nations
How did Ireland engage with the League of Nations? Today s Today s Lesson Lesson How did this tie in with movements towards Irish independence? How has Ireland engaged on the world stage since the League of Nations?
Joining the League Joining the League Ireland, then known as the Irish Free State, joined the League of Nations in September 1923 (Pictured) It was an early statement of Ireland s independence as it was just emerging from the War of Independence & subsequent Civil War
Joining the League Joining the League Seeking to show Ireland s independence, their travel documents were in Irish, they used the Irish forms of their names and communicated in French, Irish and only finally in English Irish Times Ireland now joined the other nations on the world stage Addressing the assembly, Cosgrave began in Irish, and moved to English, concluding that Ireland resolved to play her part in making this great institution for peace as complete and efficient as possible. Irish Times
The Anglo The Anglo- -Irish Treaty Irish Treaty Cosgrave wanted to affirm Ireland s independence through membership of the League of Nations Ireland became a member of the League in September 1923, as a dominion of the British Commonwealth Cosgrave had the Treaty registered as an international treaty between two states, against the protests of the British government which argued that it was in internal British treaty
Dail Debate, Friday 19 Dail Debate, Friday 19th thApril 1919 April 1919 Mr. DE VALERA, speaking in Irish, said it was fitting that the D il should make a solemn pronouncement on the League of Nations, thus demonstrating that Ireland was not selfish or self-absorbed, recognising no obligation to anyone else. They were eager to take part in every great world-undertaking that the peoples of the world should impose upon themselves for the good of all, and to undertake the full duties of a free nation. They were ready to enter any League of Nations in which each nation would be under the obligation not to resort to arms against another nation in the League without first submitting the matter at issue to a Court of Arbitration. But they were not prepared to enter the League as it was appearing at present. Oireachtas.ie
Dail Debate, Friday 19 Dail Debate, Friday 19th thApril 1919 April 1919 Mr. M. COLLINS stated that the motion the Ministry wished to have adopted was: "The elected Parliament and Government of the Irish Republic pledged the active support of the Irish Nation in translating into deeds the principles enunciated by the President of the U.S. at Washington's tomb on July 4th, 1918, and whole-heartedly accepted by the people of America during the war. We are eager and ready to enter a World League of Nations based on equality of rights, in which the guarantees exchanged neither recognise nor imply a difference between big nations and small, between those that are powerful and those that are weak. We are willing to accept all the duties, responsibilities, and burdens which inclusion in such a League implies. Oireachtas.ie
Ireland in the League Ireland in the League of Nations of Nations Heads of state such as W.T. Cosgrave & Eamon de Valera used the League of Nations as a staging ground to cultivate stronger relations & ties with other countries around the world, both big & small As an equal nation in the League Ireland played a key role in several international events Ireland was elected to the Council of the League for a three year term in 1930
Joining the League Joining the League On behalf of Ireland, one of the oldest and yet one of the youngest nations, and speaking for the Irish government and the Irish delegation, I thank this assembly of the League of Nations for the unanimous courtesy and readiness with which our application to be admitted to membership of the League has been received and approved. W.T. Cosgrave on Ireland joining the League of Nations, 10thSeptember, 1923
Joining the League Joining the League We shall return to our own country to take part with our own patriotic people in the enormous work of national construction and consolidation. The kind welcome, the cordial words of understanding, that have greeted us here on the part of every nation whose representatives we have met, will not be forgotten. They will cheer and sustain us in that work, and they will remind us, too, that as the life of a man is bettered and fructified beyond measure in the harmonious society of men, so must the life of nations reach a much fuller liberty and a much fuller dignity in the harmonious society of nations. W.T. Cosgrave on Ireland joining the League of Nations, 10thSeptember, 1923
Irelands First Ireland s First Diplomat Diplomat Michael MacWhite (1883-1958), a former teacher, French Foreign Legionnaire and journalist born in Glandore, Co Cork, was one of Ireland s first diplomats. He was Ireland s first permanent delegate to the League of Nations (1923-9).
Sean Lester Sean Lester Sean Lester was an Irish diplomat & by 1929 hew was Ireland s representative to the League of Nations He ultimately became the Secretary General of the League of Nations, although he would turn out to be it s last as it was dissolved after World War II to make room for the United Nations
And so that first step of joining the League of Nations in 1923 and the decision to take a principled, independent approach in multilateral affairs continues to find expression in Irish foreign policy today. As our team walks the same halls of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, those same objectives and values inform our everyday work- a commitment to multilateralism, peaceful settlement of disputes, disarmament, human rights and the rule of law. Department of Foreign Affairs Website
De Valera as Chair of De Valera as Chair of the League of Nations the League of Nations In 1932 Ireland was chair of the League of Nations and de Valera used this platform to further Irish independence He called out the League for failing to protect the rights of smaller nations; People are saying that the equality of States does not apply here in the things that matter, that the smaller States whilst being given a voice have little influence in the final determination of League action De Valera used the League to establish friendly relations with other nations, which Ireland would need during the Economic War, and to boost his profile at home as a world statesman He cultivated relations with small nations which would garnish support for the dismantling of the Treaty in the future
However it may be disguised, it can only be with a feeling of bitter humiliation that each successive speaker has during these days come to this Tribune. Abyssinian Abyssinian Crisis, 1936 Crisis, 1936 Over fifty nations pledged themselves to one another in the most solemn manner each to respect the independence and to preserve the integrity of the territories of the others. One of these nations turned its back on its pledges freely given, and was adjudged almost unanimously by the remainder to have been an aggressor, and now, one by one, we have come here to confess that we can do nothing effective about it. Over fifty nations we banded ourselves together for collective security. Over fifty nations we have now to confess publicly that we must abandon the victim to his fate. It is a sad confession, as well as a bitter one. It is the fulfilment of the worst predictions of all who decried the League and said it could not succeed. As has been said already, we are all of us in some measure responsible for this pitiable position, some much more responsible than others. Read the speech delivered here by the Emperor of Ethiopia. Does any delegate deny that, so far as it relates to what has happened here, there is to his knowledge truth in every line of it?. Eamon de Valera to the League of Nations
How did Ireland engage with the League of Nations? Today s Today s Lesson Lesson How did this tie in with movements towards Irish independence? How has Ireland engaged on the world stage since the League of Nations?
