Changing relations Flashcards
what act established the state of Northern Ireland
1920 Government of Ireland act
What were the unionist reactions to the new state
Mostly were happy as the new state has protestant majority, their control was guaranteed.
proven in may 1921 with 40 seats out of 52 won.
What were the nationalists reaction to the new state
Mostly unhappy and wanted to be governed by Dublin parliament
Why did violence and discrimination start
Unionists didn’t trust nationalists resulting in sectarian murder
what was the response to the start of violence and discrimination
The London government responded by establishing the Ulster special constabulary populated by former UVF members
How did the new Northern Ireland government gain more power
They gained more power by passing the Special powers act in 1922
what was the special powers act in 1922
This act meant you were allowed to arrest and detain suspects without holding a trial
What were other political responses to Nationalism being seen as a threat.
- Getting rid of proportional representation for local elections meaning fewer nationalists elected for council.
- Gerrymandering, (Redrawing boundaries to ensure unionist control).
- Only people who paid rates could vote in local elections. (fewer nationalists were wealthy enough to pay rates).
How else were Catholics discriminated?
- Catholics were allocated fewer houses.
- The quality of houses were inferior.
- Catholics were less likely given jobs.
What happened on March in 1963
The prime minister of NI resigned leaving Terrance O’Neill to be prime minister
why was O’Neills leadership weak
many Official unionist partys Mps wanted Brian Faulkner as PM
- What economic policies did O’Neills put in place (first 4)
- 900 Million pound investment to update existing industries and attract new ones.
- Modernisation of road and railway networks.
- Co-operation with the Dublin-based Irish trades union congress.
- The establishment of an economic council under Brian Faulkner to drive forward modernisation of economy
- What economic policies did O’Neills put in place (last 3)
- The creation of the ministry of development to drive economic revival.
- the establishment of a new city called Craigavon
- The development of a new Uni in Coleraine to help develop skilled workforce
What were the successes of these economic policies.
- A number of firms such as Michelin took advantage of the investment grants to open factories.
- The construction of a motorway started
- An oil refinery was opened
- A new airport was under development
- Links with Republic resulted in signing an agreement on the supply of electricity from Republic
What were the failures of these Economic Policies
- 2000 Jobs were lost
- Between 1963-69 Government had to give money to Harland and Wolff to stay afloat
- Unemployment companies refused government grants to open factories west of the River Bann (Too remote)
How did O’Neill try improve relations with the nationalist community
- By visiting Archbishop of Armagh William Conway
- Offering condolences to the death of Pope John in June 1963.
- Visiting schools and hospitals ran by the Catholic church.
- Increasing the financial support provided for Catholic schools and hospitals.
How did O’Neill attempt to improve relations with Down South
- January 1965 he took a meeting with the Taoiseach (pm of ireland) Sean Lemass in Stormont.
Who showed objection to having links to Ireland
Reverend Ian Paisley
How did Ian Paisley show objection
Ian Paisley showed objection by snowballing the Irish PM car and describing O’Neill as a “Lundy”
How did Ian Paisleys support grow
It grew as Unionists feared the implications of O’Neills Policies and resented the failures of the policies, they wanted to better their own lives.
What happened in 1966
Violence broke out during the commemorations for the 50th anniversary of the easter rising resulting in 2 Catholics killed by the UVF
What resulted from the riot in 1966
O’Neill banned the UVF organisation
What weakened O’Neills party in 1966
The increase of Violence weakened his support with Ian Paisley gaining unionist support.
Why did people think O’Neills policies were favoured to protestants
- All places to undergo economic development were protestant areas.
- Unemployment was larger west of the River Bann.
- Northern Irelands second university was placed in a protestant town instead of Derry (NI second city).
- No big attempts were made to increase catholic membership of health and education bodies
