Cumann na nGaedheal faced significant economic challenges when it came to power in 1922, inheriting a backward economy burdened by debt from the Civil War. It focused on agriculture given Ireland's rural nature but faced problems with small farm sizes and declining prices. While policies aimed to improve standards, outcomes were limited with little change in outputs or exports. Industry was not a priority and economic growth remained slow under Cumann na nGaedheal's conservative policies of low taxation and balanced budgets.