 The weak economy of the Free State suffered during the Great Depression.Nonetheless, it came as a surprise when Cumann na nGaedheal was defeated by Fianna Fáil in the general election of February 1932, winning only 57 seats to Fianna Fáil's 72.Having spent its entire existence prior to 1932 in government, Cumann na nGaedheal was ill-prepared for a role in opposition.