On this episode of the Irish History Show we discussed the Economic War, also known as the Anglo – Irish Trade War. It lasted from 1932 to 1938. When Fianna Fáil were first elected to government in 1932 they refused to continue paying the Land Annuities to the British government. This led to a series of retaliatory tariffs from both governments.

The Fianna Fáil government used the dispute as an opportunity to build up domestic manufacturing behind these new tariffs. The economic war led to political instability and violence from sections of Irish society whose livelihoods were damaged by the trade war such as cattle graziers and exporters. It also led to the rise of the Blueshirts.

The Economic War was concluded by the Anglo – Irish Agreement in 1938.

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Intro / Outro music “Sliabh” from Aislinn. Licensed under creative commons from the free music archive.