8 Power Sharing Experiment Flashcards
What events prompted Operation Motorman (4)
- Despite The introduction of internment and direct rule and existence of a two week IRA ceasefire, 1972 turned out to be the worst year of the Troubles
- by the end of the year 496 people had lost their lives in a series of appalling atrocities including
- 21st July when IRA detonated 20 bombs around Belfast. 9 civilians died and became known as Bloody Friday
- 31st July when an IRA bomb exploded in Derry/Londonderry. 9 civilians lost their lives
What event encouraged the British government to make moves towards a political settlement ?
The success of Operation Motorman on 31st July to allow the army and police to reclaim control of paramilitary controlled no-go areas
The reasons for and reactions to the introduction of a power-sharing Executive to Northern Ireland and a Council of Ireland in 1973 (3)
● The British government was looking for a new way to bring an end to the troubles
● The Irish Government showed support by acting against Sinn Fein, closing their
Dublin headquarters and imprisoning the head of the Army Council
● Internment was extended to loyalists resulting in 20 deaths during rioting.
Features of the plan proposed by the British government for the future of NI in 1973 (2)
- A new law making assembly (parliament) elected by proportional representation
- Not given control over security or justice
What did the British Government insist concerning power sharing?(2)
● Agreement would have to be reached first between nationalist and Unionist politicians about the system of government
● The Dublin Government must have some input into the system of government.
How did nationalists react?
Nationalist reactions were broadly positive and supportive.
How did unionists react? (3)
- Unionist reactions were very divided, some in the OUP supported Brian Faulkner (who advocated for power sharing) but many opposed including the DUP, New Vangaurd, UUP and the remainder of the OUP.
- They saw the proposals as undemocratic and believed that power should not be shared with those disloyal to the Union
- Anti power-sharing unionists far outweighed pro power-sharing unionists and it cast doubt on the future of power sharing.
What happened on 21st November 1973?
- William Whitelaw announced that the membership of a power-sharing executive had been agreed
When were the discussions about the Council of Ireland and who was there?
6th December 1973
Politicians from Britain, Ireland and NI however there were no-anti-power sharing politicians present
When was Sunningdale Agreement agreed on?
9th December 1973
Name the six terms of agreement for the Sunningdale Agreement
- London agreed not to oppose Irish unification if a majority of the Northern Ireland population wanted it
- Dublin accepted that the Irish unity could only ever be achieved peacefully and with the consent of the majority of people in Northern Ireland
- A council of ministers with 14 members was to be established to help coordination
- A 60 member Consultative Assembly would be elected by the Dáil and the assembly
- Control over internal security issues would be returned to the assembly at Stormont
- approval of the decisions made at Sunningdale was to take place at a future conference
SDLP reactions to the agreement
The SDLP saw the agreement as paving the way to having closer ties between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
How did Faulkner react to the agreement ?
Faulkner saw it as a Dublin accepting Northern Ireland being a part of the UK
When did the N Ireland power sharing executive take place?
1st January 1974
Two problems with the executive
- The Ulster unionist council on 4th January voted to reject the Sunningdale agreement
- Faulkner immediately resigned as party leader and was replaced by Harry West
