n and a lasting association of mutual help? Of course this plea would fail. ONeil claims that De Valera was imperative in the growth and success of the United Nations. In September, 1938, De Valera was elected President of the Assembly again. This was amazing; De Valera had won recognition out of proportion to the size of his country. He had walked a path separate from that of the major superpowers and was successful in obtaining his goals, especially in that moment of major crisis. During World War II, Ireland remained neutral, though supportive of the British. De Valera, though not an isolationist, supported a neutral stance because as a small nation, Ireland had "everything to lose and nothing to gain." Through out the war there was almost constant pressure from both Britain and the U.S. for Ireland to give up its neutrality, but throughout Ireland led by De Valera remained firm. The leadership and presence of Eamon De Valera was so much that from 1937 to 1959 only two 3-year terms passed when he was not Prime Minister. As Prime Minister, he sought to bring Ireland forward industrially, educationally and socially. He introduced tariffs and supported Irish factories to reopen. New agriculture methods were introduced. Although a devout Catholic, he refused to support any anti-Protestant legislation, and he earned the respect of both Catholics and Protestants for his fairness. In 1959, he was elected president and served two 7-year terms, despite of his near blindness. Through out his life Eamon De Valera fought for Irish unity and independence and although he never saw his dream of a united Ireland, the consecration, emotion, fairness and courage with which he stood for what he believed in was imperative to Irelands success as a nation. North Ireland peace talks still continue. ...
