Assessment 3 Flashcards
Reactions to the Five Point Programme
O’Neil, Faulkner and Craig were called to Westminster to meet labour prime minister Harold Wilson
Five point programme was announced November 22nd
The programme introduced many aims that NICRA were campaigning for
Many unionists were opposed to this as they felt their position would be threatened
Some nationalists were happy their demands were being met but others were annoyed not all their issues were being solved
The unsatisfied nationalists formed the People’s Democracy (PD)
The PD marched 1st-4th January 1969
Reasons for the emergence of Civil Rights Movements
The introduction of the welfare state led to the formation of NICRA in 1967
Its aims were one man one vote, fair house allocation, end gerrymandering, prevent discrimination in employment, remove Special Powers Act 1922, disband the B specials and establish a formal complaint system
Its marches were peaceful but police were violent to the marchers
The limits of the 5 Point Programme led to the PD forming
The PD were similar to to NICRA but they also wanted Stormont government tested
At the PD’s burntollet march the police ambushed them at the bridge
Unionist government & RUC reactions to Civil Rights Movements
Modern Unionist supported NICRA but many others thought it was an attempt at undermining protestant position
Counter marches were frequently organised by the unionists like the Apprentice Boys
24th August 1968 NICRA’s second march the government banned them
The march happened anyway and the violence between the police and marchers was broadcasted
The PD marched through Burntollet resulting in the police ambushing them at the bridge
Success of O’Neils economic policies
O’Neils introduced £900 million investment for businesses to open factories in NI
Many didn’t accept this due to cost of transportation which led to false rumors that O’Neil didn’t want to bring employment to Catholic areas
O’Neils modernised railways and roads to improve the trade routes
He constructed a university in Colraine & established the city Craigavon
Unemployment levels rose to 7-8%
Oil refinery and airport were both planned to be built
Aims of the Civil Rights Movements
NICRA one man one vote, fair house allocation, end gerrymandering, prevent discrimination in employment, remove Special Powers Act 1922, disband the B specials and establish a formal complaint system
In late 1968 the PD was formed
The PD had very similar aims to NICRA but they also wanted to test the Stormount government and force the British Government to reconsider the Ireland question
