Britain 1983-1990 (KO) Flashcards
When and what was the murder of Airey Neave? What was its impact?
1979 - bomb in car of Thatcher’s intended northern Ireland secretary. This deepened resolve to resist terrorism.
When was the death of Bobby sands? What did it follow?
1981 - followed a refusal to make concessions.
When was the Brighton bombing?
1984
When was the Anglo-Irish agreement?
August 1985
When and what was the Enniskillen massacre?
1987 - IRA bomb at remembrance service killing 11. Brought doubt from both protestant and Catholics about whether it was worth it. IRA would not be deterred.
What was the Bobby sands situation?
Sands went on hunger strike due to not being recognised as a political prisoner. Thatcher firm stance against, and Sands died after 66 days without food, martyring him.
What happened with the Earl Mountbatten?
Killed by a bomb in August 1979, synchronised with detonation of two bombs in northern Ireland killing British soldiers.
What were the key points of the Anglo-Irish agreement?
- Northern Ireland recognised as constitutionally part of the UK.
- Two governments committed to cooperation over cross-border security.
- British gov assured it supported full civil rights for all in Ireland.
What happened in the Brighton bombing?
IRA bomb planted in Thatcher’s hotel during a tory conference. 5 were killed but Thatcher managed to survive and gave an impressive performance insisting the conference should go on.
Why did the Unionists oppose the Anglo-Irish agreement?
Objected to the involvement of the Irish government in Northern Ireland affairs, thinking it suggested a united Ireland under the rule of Dublin. Unionist MPs resolved not to attend Westminster to show bitterness.
Why did the republicans oppose the Anglo-Irish agreement?
It confirmed northern Irelands continuation as part of the UK. They pledged themselves to continue the ‘armed struggle’.
Why did Thatcher’s own government oppose the Anglo-Irish agreement?
Thought it could be interpreted as a concession to the men of violence in Northern Ireland. Ian Gow (housing minister) resigned over it, and was later killed by an IRA bomb.
When and what was ‘Death on a Rock’?
In Gibraltar, SAS men shot three IRA members before they had time to detonate a bomb, showing Thatcher’s uncompromising approach. At their funeral, three more were shot by a loyalist gunman. Three days later, two British soldiers mistakenly drove into an IRA parade and were dragged from the car and killed.
When and what was Thatcher’s broadcast ban?
Thatcher imposed a broadcast ban in 1989 on the IRA to deprive them of ‘the oxygen of publicity’
When and what was the Westland Affair?
1986 - Heseltine proposed to save an ailing British Helicopter company by making it part of the European consortium. Brittan suggested alternatively that it should be taken over by a US company. Thatcher opted for this, and Heseltine resigned, quickly followed by Brittan after it was found his department had been using pressuring tactics to get their way. Labour suggested this showed both Thatcher’s bullying of cabinet and her readiness to give in to US pressure.
