- The document discusses Belfast during World War 2, including its strategic importance due to its naval facilities and shipbuilding industry, and the devastating Belfast Blitz of April 1941 where German bombing killed over 1,100 people. - During two nights of bombing in April 1941, waves of German planes dropped high explosives and incendiary bombs across Belfast, especially hitting working class areas and an air raid shelter, causing widespread damage and casualties. - The Blitz had long term effects of consolidating Northern Ireland's position within the UK and further distancing the neutral Republic of Ireland, as well as stimulating postwar rebuilding efforts and investment.

1. Belfast Blitz 1941 Leaving Cert History Case Study Sovereignty and Partition 1912-1949

2. Belfast Blitz 1941 N. Ireland during World War 2 Industry Strategic Importance Belfast Blitz - Introduction Events of the Blitz 1941 Results of Blitz Partition Consolidated 1945 British General Election

3. N. Ireland during World War 2 Unionists happy to be able to show loyalty Turned to shock at Churchill’s offer of unity The government of NI were old and did little to prepare Conscription not extended to NI Nationalists joined up as there were no jobs 700 IRA interned - IRA killed 5 RUC 1940 100,000 British troops stationed in NI in case of a German invasion Rationing & Blackout James Craig died in 1940 – replaced by JM Andrews – nothing changed

4. Harland and Wolfe shipyard produced 140 warships Short’s built 1200 Stirling bombers Linen industry boomed Lots of engineering parts supplied from Northern Ireland Agriculture did well Industry

5. Germans controlled the sea, south of Ireland, so the northern route to the US important A naval and air base in Derry patrolled for German U-boats After 1941 Americans were based in NI to prepare for the North African campaign 250,000 arrived for D-Day The German U-boat fleet were made surrender in Derry in recognition of it’s role in the war Strategic Importance

6. Events of the Blitz 1941 7 th and 8 th of April 1941 Harbour area hit 13 killed and not much damage Only 3000 responded to government calls for evacuation

7. 15 th and 16 th April 90 Junkers and Heinkels came in waves. Flares dropped first. Then high explosives, incendiaries and parachute mines Smoke screens in the docklands led to the Germans missing their targets and hitting working class areas such as New Lodge, Lower Shankill and Antrim Road 30 died when a parachute bomb hi t an air raid shelter At least 900 died. Many not identified Attempt made to bury Catholics and Protestants separately DeValera sent 70 fire-fighters north but the water mains had been cut Half the cities population left, many sleeping in ditches Events of the Blitz 1941

8. 5 th May Clear night H arland and W olfe shipyard destroyed and did not resume production for 6 months Not as many casualties Events of the Blitz 1941

9. Results of Blitz Most severe except for London Stopped as the Germans turned their attention to USSR 1100 dead People outside the city who offered refuge were shocked at the poverty of the people

10. Partition Consolidated By being part of the war, NI strengthened its position in the UK Neutrality had distanced the South further from the UK

11. 1945 British General Election Clement Atlee and Labour came to power Wartime leader Churchill defeated The Beverage Report and the Welfare State brought a flow of money to N. Ireland Catholics benefited, as they were poorer In 1947 free secondary education and generous third level grants Catholics made good use of this as many could not get jobs anyway

12. Presentation prepared by: Dominic Haugh St. Particks Comprehensive School Shannon Co. Clare Presentation can be used for educational purposes only – all rights remain with author