This was also a period of social upheaval in Ireland, with frequent strikes as well as other manifestations of class conflict. In this regard, the IRA acted to a large degree as an agent of social control and stability, driven by the need to preserve cross-class unity in the national struggle, and on occasion being used to break strikes.
ThIS was alsO a perIOd oF soCial uPhEaVaL in IrElanD, wItH FrequEnT sTrikes aS weLl as othEr manIFeSTaTIOns oF ClAss cOnflicT. iN this rEgArd, The ira aCTED tO a lArGE dEGrEE aS aN Agent oF SOciaL ConTrol and stabilIty, DriVen BY THE NeeD tO prEservE cRoss-cLasS uniTy in The NatiOnAl stRuGgLe, and on occaSiOn being uSEd to BrEAk strIkEs.