Chapter 5 Flashcards
Active Service Units (ASU)
Small and secretive terror cells that operate autonomously
Black and Tans
British paramilitary force recruited to assist the Royal Irish Constabulary; members wore black and tan uniforms
Good Friday Agreement
Plan for devolved government in Northern Ireland signed on April 10, 1998; included terms of early release of prisoners and decommissioning of weapons
HCD
Independent International Commission to oversee the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons under the provisions of the Northern Ireland Peace Accord
Internment
Confinement, often used in wartime; in this case, used in Northern Ireland during the 1980s to combat Irish republican terrorism
Orange Order
Originating in the 17th century, this is the largest Protestant organization in Northern Ireland and regards itself as defending civil and religious liberties of Protestants and seeks to uphold the rule and ascendancy of a Protestant monarch in the United Kingdom
Sinn Fein
Led by Gerry Adams- left-wing Irish republican political party that seeks an end to British rule in Northern Ireland
Special Category Status
A de facto prisoner-of-war status for Irish prisoners convicted during the Troubles
Irish Republican Army (IRA) did what in 2005?
formally renounced violence and instructed its active units and volunteers to cease all activities and “assist the development of purely political and democratic programs through exclusively peaceful means” The long-term effects of this on Northern Ireland will be apparent only with the passage of time.
What did William (a Dutchman from the House of Oranges) do with his Dutch army?
Invaded England and was victorious in a bloodless coup. James II was captured while fleeing, but William ensured his safe passage to France where he remained in exile.
The Orange Lodges were named after who? How did they celebrate their victory?
William of Orange; hold annual marches and celebrations in the Protestant regions on July 12.
How many seats out of 105 did they win for Ireland?
73, although they never took their seats in the House of Commons in London and, instead, pledged to constitute themselves as the legislature of an independent Ireland.
What does Sinn Fein mean?
We ourselves
What was the starting point for the Anglo-Irish War of 1919-1921 (Irish War of Independence)
The British attempt to subvert and destroy the Sinn Fein government
What did the War for Independence led to?
The formation of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) , the Dail Eireann’s militia. Collins was made commander of the new force.
On November 20, 1920, what act did Collins commit that placed him at the top of Britain’s most wanted list?
The execution of 19 British agents (the “Cairo Gang”)
Why were the militia force, Black and Tans, established?
As a means of combating the growing dissention in Ireland.
Where the Black and Tans terrorists?
No
How long did the Black and Tans last?
From 1920-1921
What were the Black and Tans described as?
An auxiliary to the Royal Irish Constabulary
What was known as the First Bloody Sunday?
The Black and Tans surrounded a Gaelic football match in Croke Park Dublin, and when shooting broke out, 12 spectators and players were killed and a further 60 were injured.
The Government of Ireland Act 1920 was welcomed in the north, but not the south. Why?
They continued to call for full independence from Britain.
What did the Anglo-Irish Treaty do?
Established the Irish Free State as a dominion within the British Commonwealth and partitioned Northern Ireland from the rest of the country.
Granted 26 countries greater independence and regarded it as a stepping stone to full independence
The IRA’s Cathal Brugha found 3 fatal flaws about the treaty. What were they?
(1) Excluded 6 countries in Ulster, thereby abandoning Catholics and nationalists in that part of Ireland;
(2) Didn’t establish a truly independent Republic, only a semiautonomous state in which Britain controlled harbors in times of emergency; and
(3) Required an oath of fidelity to the Crown from elected officials
A provisional government was formed with Collins as chairman but was obstructed by
The anti-treaty faction, which formed a rival government led by Eamon de Valera
They promptly commandeered the Four Courts building as IRA headquarters and immediately formed a permanent “Irish Free State” government
The anti-treaty IRA units under Brugha
How did the Irish Civil War immediately begin?
The Free State government bombarded the IRA headquarters with artillery fight borrowed from Britain
How was Collins killed? When did he die?
Killed by a ricochet bullet at West Cork; August 22, 1922. He was the only fatality.
When the Civil War end?
May 24, 1923
What were “The Troubles”?
Term for fighting between Catholics and Protestants
Who was considered more of a nuisance than a terrorist threat to Ireland?
The Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA)
How long did The Troubles last?
From 1968-1998
How many died in the 30+ years of “The Troubles”?
More than 3,000 on both sides have been killed; if one were to do a comparison based population size with a comparable terrorist campaign in the United States, the resulting death toll would have reached over 600,000.
The first Catholic death of the “Troubles” was a teenager, struck on the head by a baton wielded by what member?
Member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), also a Protestant
Religion and discrimination have been the battleground, stemming from centuries of social injustice. What did this led to?
Discrimination against Catholics in almost every facet of everyday life, from finding employment to housing.
The Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland set up in what year?
1998
What led to the rebirth of the RUC as the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)? What date?
The Police (Northern Ireland) Bill of May 2000; November 4, 2001.
What other changes came into effect at the end of the 20th century?
Removal of the word “Royal” from the police department’s title as well as other recommendations unpopular with the Unionists
