7 Internment, Bloody Sunday & Direct Rule Flashcards
Why had Chichester Clark resigned from his post?
Westminster did not respond strongly enough to the levels of violence in 1970-71
Who became the PM on 20th March 1971 ?
Brian Faulkner
When did Chichester Clark resign?
20th March 1971
Reason for internment
Brian Faulkner was unable to reduce the levels of violence and pressure from unionists
When did internment start?
9th August 1971
What was internment’s Codename?
Operation Demetrius
Success of internment
Internment was not successful because non of the men arrested were IRA members and violence increased in the republic with the formation of the UVF in 1971. Since the introduction of internment in 1971, 143 died through bombings and shootings.
Reason for the failure of internment
As the British army got involved it’s relations with the nationalist community deteriorated even further and caused more violence. IRA members also increased
Evidence of discrimination in internment
The evidence provided was out of date and those targeted for internment were nationalists or civil rights supporters
How did the nationalists react to internment in August 1971 ? Why?
Hostile to the army. They felt internment discriminated against them
Unionists reaction to internment
They believed that it had worked in the past and saw it as essential for ending IRA violence
Nationalists reaction to internment
Saw it as one sided in its application because the first loyalists were not interned until February 1973 and it was open to substantial abuse
SDLP reaction to internment
Established in August 1970 & led by Gerry Fitt. They planned to call for people to withhold payment of rents and rates and for a withdrawal from local government in protest
NICRA reaction to internment
Held a march in Londonderry on 30th January 1972 which became known as Bloody Sunday
Describe Bloody Sunday (3)
Date: 30th January 1972
How: in the aftermath of another NICRA march in Derry against internment, eight days later a riot developed
Who: Parachute Regiment were ordered to the bog side and shot thirteen Catholics dead. Thirteen more were injured, 1 died of his wounds.
Unionist reactions to Bloody Sunday (4)
Continued support for the government
They saw the march as both illegal and provocative
Some unionists believed the IRA was involved
Some of those killed have been armed
Nationalist reactions to Bloody Sunday (3)
- believed that all of the victims were innocent
- the parachute regiment attacks was unprovoked
- nationalist hostility to the state was increased
- IRA membership grew particularly in Derry / Londonderry
Reasons for a Direct Rule (2)
- Westminster concluded that the NI government was no longer capable of maintaining law and order
- it was becoming increasingly difficult to justify unionist domination
Faulkners demand ?
The power to rearm the RUC and re establish the B Specials
Britain’s PM demand?
Control of law and order and justice. Faulkner refused him this which led to the senior Stormont members travelling to London
What were Heaths proposed changes at London Talks 22nd March 1972? (5) (to get stars try revising)
- the transfer of security control to Westminster
- the gradual removal of internment
- a Secretary of State for NI
- talks with other parties in NI to establish a ‘community government’
- a referendum on the future of the border
How did Faulkners government respond to these changes?
The entire NI government resigned, unable to accept the loss of control over security policy
When was Direct Rule introduced?
24th March 1972. Heath responded to the NI government resignation by suspending Stormont for a year and introducing direct rule
What does Direct Rule mean?
NI would be governed directly by the British government in London
Unionist and loyalist paramilitaries reactions to Direct Rule
Most unionists were horrified, as they saw Stormont as a barrier against a United Ireland. Ulster vanguard provided a series of massive strikes and shutdowns
Two things that unionists and loyalist paramilitaries did in reaction to Heaths introduction of Direct Rule
- increased support for loyalist paramilitaries
- increased support for DUP and unionist parties
- strikes which shut down much of life in NI for two days
What nationalists thought about the end of Stormont
The SDLP and dublin government welcomed the changes for a new beginning. IRA stated it’s opposition to direct rule and announced its goal of achieving a United ireland.
When was the DUP set up?
30th September 1971
Who set up the DUP?
Ian Paisley
Who followed the DUP?
Unionists
Why was DUP set up?
They act as an opponent of OUP Stormont
Who was the first Secretary of State?
William Whitelaw
