alternatehistory.com

Like him or loath him, Eammon De valera aka the chief, was by far the most significant political figure in Ireland since O'Connel. He was spared execution in 1916 despite being a rebel leader during that rebellion due to his American citizenship and The U.S. was not in WW1 yet. It has been speculated that he was 'turned' during interrogation to became a British spy but that doesn't stand to reason at all. He founded what became the major party of government in the Republic - Fianna Fail, he kept Ireland neutral in WW2, but is chided for having an insular catholic world view and it's often claimed by clinging onto power to long , he held Ireland back! Also he played a negative role in the Irish civil war and it's speculated that he had some sly role in the death of his nemisis, Michael Collins during it. BTW I'm in a sense trading Collins surviving to a ripe old age for an executed Dev! So what changes?
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