Ch17. NI 1949-1963 Flashcards
When did the Irish Free State leave the British Commonwealth and severe all connections with the King of England?
April 1949
What was the impact that the declaration of the Republic have on the connection between NI and UK?
It strengthened the union between the two
What govt was in power in Britain at the time of the declaration of the Republic? And who was its PM?
The Labour Govt; Clement Attlee
What was the response of the British govt for NI after the declaration of the Republic?
Labour Govt, led by Clement Attlee , Gave a guarantee to the unionists in NI
- passed Ireland Act 1949
Ireland Act 1949
Stated that NI would remain part of the UK unless the Belfast Parliament would vote against the Union.
(Extremely unlikely as unionists had a huge majority)
What sort of mentality did the Unionists in NI have?
A sieges mentality
Never felt secure and free from internal and external threats to their rule
Who was Sir Basil Brookes and what is he famous for saying?
Minister of Agriculture in NI
Later PM
Encouraged businessmen not to employ Catholics , 99% of whom are disloyal
Government of Ireland Act 1920
Divided Ireland into two self-governing states, introducing partition
Under the Government of Ireland Act 1920, what areas did the Imperial Parliament in London have control over regarding NI?
War and peace
Foreign affairs
Taxation
What was the Home Rule style parliament in NI responsible for under the Govt of Ireland Act 1920?
Day to day running of the state Law and order Education Health Local government
What two things made up the NI parliament ?
Senate
House of Commons
How many MPs were in the House of Commons and how many of them were usually unionists?
52; at least 40 were usually unionists
How much of the NI population was Unionist?
Two thirds
Name three controversial steps the Unionist Govt took to secure it’s place within the UK.
- The Special Powers Act 1922
- Establishment of B-Specials who assisted the Royal Ulster Constabulary
- The abolition of proportional representation (PR) in elections
The Special Powers Act 1922
- gave extensive emergency powers to the government
- internment without trial
- police could arrest and detain you under suspicion, with no proof needed
- used primarily against the Nationalist com.
Proportional representation (PR) Which system was it fairer than?
PR allows minorities to be in politics and get seats in parliament, getting as many seats as the % of votes they got.
Fairer to minorities than the “First Past the Post” systems
Who coined the phrase “A Protestant state for a Protestant people?”
Sir James Craig, First PM of NI
When did NI suffer economic depression?
1920s and 1930s
What was at a very low standard during the NI economic recession?
Healthcare
Housing
Social welfare
Give the fact about immigration due to unemployment during the NI economic recession
Between 1926 and 1937
50,000 people emigrated
What happened during the 1930s in Belfast as a result of the economic recession?
Riots , mixed
Give the fact about the average income in NI compared to Britain during the depression
In 1938, average income of a person in NI was 56% of that of a person in Britain
Which sectors of the economy of NI benefited from its involvement in WW2?
- food production
- Harland and Wolff shipyard—— warships
- Shortts aircraft —- fighter planes
- engineering
- textile — parachutes &linen for uniforms
How did NI help in a strategic way in WW2 ?
Its ports and runways were used as a landing base and a strategic point for US involvement in WW2.