3. Outbreak of violence in 1969 Flashcards
What broke out in summer 1969 in NI?
Tensions in Belfast rose to the extent that serious rioting broke out in the summer of 1969.
What were the worries of the 3 governments?
As the summer marching season approached there were worries that tensions could spill over into violence.
● The Government in London was so worried about the deteriorating situation in Northern Ireland that it had
set up a special Cabinet Committee on Northern Ireland.
● The Dublin administration sent an intelligence officer to Northern Ireland to report what was happening to
the minority nationalist community.
● The Stormont Government feared that any more increases in the levels of unrest/violence would overwhelm
the police.
When did violence break out in NI and what did people do?
In July 1969 violence broke out in Belfast and
soon spread to Londonderry.
➢ Violence in Belfast often took the form of
Loyalist mobs burning houses and trying to
force Catholics out of certain areas.
What happened to Bombay Street in 1969?
In August
1969 Bombay Street in West Belfast was set
alight destroying scores of houses.
How many people were killed and wounded over summer 1969 in NI?
As the violence increased seven
people were killed and a hundred more
wounded across the summer.
What was the Battle of the Bogside and its events?
Violence erupted in Londonderry after the 12th August Apprentice Boys march. Bogside residents had feared another
occupation as had happened after Burntollet, and had prepared petrol bombs and barricades.
Tension was further
raised when the Taoiseach Jack Lynch moved Irish troops to the border.
The violence would go on in the city for fifty
hours. In the end police were so exhausted that the British government ordered a small number of troops to restore
order. Initially the soldiers were welcomed by the Nationalist residents of Derry as they saw them as protectors from the
violence of the police.
What were the consequences to the violence in 1969?
The army could be used to stop the violence in the short term. But the British government now needed to consider a
long-term strategy for dealing with NI, which they had for so long ignored. On 19th August, the NI Prime Minister,
James Chichester-Clark travelled to London to meet the British PM, Harold Wilson.
The outcome of this meeting was the Downing Street Declaration.
What statements were in the Downing Street Declaration?
The outcome of this meeting was the Downing Street Declaration. This made statements to reassure both communities.
Nationalists were told that ‘every citizen of NI is entitled to the same rights and freedom from discrimination as exists
in the rest of the UK irrespective of religion or political view.
Unionists were told that NI would not cease to be part of the UK without the consent of the people of NI.
What 7 reforms did the British Government create alongside the Downing Street Declaration?
Alongside the declaration there were also additional reforms;
● The introduction of one man one vote for local elections.
● An end to gerrymandering.
● The establishment of a committee to investigate policing in Northern Ireland (this committee was chaired by
Lord Hunt).
● The creation of a Tribunal led by Lord Scarman to investigate recent disturbances in Northern Ireland.
● The setting up of a new housing authority to look after the housing functions previously undertaken by local
councils.
● The implementation of a range of measures aimed at preventing discrimination in public employment.
● The creation of a Ministry of Community Relations.
What actions to improve NI’s economy were created after Chichester-Clark’s visit to Harold Wilson?
A number of actions designed to improve Northern Ireland’s economy were revealed. These
included:
● Additional investment grants.
● New work creation schemes costing £3 million
What was the unionist reaction to the Downing Street Declaration and reforms?
Many members of the Unionist community were not
satisfied by the reassurances contained within the
Downing Street Declaration.
Instead they focused on what they viewed as more and
more concessions to nationalists.
They were confirmed in their suspicions when the report
of the committee set up to investigate policing was
published.
The Hunt Committee Report recommended that:
● The RUC became an unarmed police force.
● The B Specials were disbanded and replaced by
a new force – the Ulster Defence Regiment
(UDR). This new part-time force would be
controlled by the British Army.
Some unionists were so angered by the Hunt Report that
rioting broke out in the Shankill Road area of Belfast.
What was the nationalist reaction to the Downing Street Declaration and reforms?
The nationalist response to the reforms announced was
more positive.
Following the frustrations of the O’Neill period, it finally
seemed as if the reforms sought by NICRA and other
groups were now within their grasp.
