deteriorating situation 1969-72 Flashcards
What concerns did the Stormont government have in summer 1969
they were concerned if their security forces would be able to handle increased violence as they were already stretched
What concerns did the London government have in summer 1969
They were concerned enough and then established a cabinet committee on NI
What concerns did the Dublin government have in summer 1969
They were concerned for the safety of minors and sent an intelligence officer to NI to keep watch
Why did armed groups start to form
- Loyalists were angry about what they saw as concession after concession to nationalists.
- Republicans were apprehensive at their own ability to protect nationalist
What happened in summer 1969
Violence broke out in Belfast and spread to Derry.
- Belfast violence took place in the form of burning houses forcing people to leave
- Derry violence began after the apprentice boys parade
When was the apprentice boys parade
12th of August 1969
Why was calm restored in summer 69
It calmed as a small number of troops requested by nationalist politicians came in
Violence during August 1969 was seen as:
- Responsible for the need of British army in NI on the 14th-15th of August
- The eventual reemergence of the IRA
What happened on August 19th
Chichster-Clark travelled to London to meet British PM Harold wilson
What resulted from the meeting between the NI pm and the British Pm
Resulted in the publishment of the downing street declaration
How did the downing street declaration aim to reassure nationalist communities
- Nationalists were told that every citizen of NI is entitled to the same equal treatment and should not be discriminated irrespective of political views or religion
How did the downing street declaration aim to reassure Unionist communities
- Unionists were told that Ni shouldnt cease to be part of the UK without consent from the people of NI
- What other reforms were announced following the downing street declaration (first 4)
- The intro of one man one vote
- End gerrymandering
- Establishing committee on policing under Lord Hunt (A british official)
- Stormont government announced the setting up of the Scarman Tribunal to investigate recent disturbances
- What other reforms were announced following the downing street declaration (Last 3)
- A single housing authority was established taking over from local councils
- Measures to prevent discrimination in public employment were announced
- A ministry of community relations was created.
What improvements happened to the economy
- A £2 million programme of work-created schemes
- Increased investment grants
What was the Hunt Report recommending
- Disarming the RUC (Royal ulster constabulary
- Disbanding b-specials and replacing them with the Ulster defence Regiment (A part time force under army control
What were the 2 groups that the IRA split into
- The Official IRA focused on establishing a socialist Ireland with violence still being used until a ceasefire called in May 1972
The movement split again with the emergence of the Irish Republican Social party and the Militant Irish Nationalist Liberation Army (INLA)
- The provisional IRA that claimed itself as the defender of the Nationalist community
What was the new IRA Provisional movement objectives on Easter 1970
- Achieving civil rights
- Defending the catholic population
- Destroying Stormont government
- Removing British Imperialism from Ireland
What was the reasoning for the Falls road curfew
When the IRAs campaign started to take off in then middle of 1970 the British army moved to protect itself . In July a 34 hour curfew was put on the lower falls area.
What happened during the falls road curfew
- A house-to-house search for weapons was carried out with a number of weapons being found.
- This damaged the armys previously good relationship with Nationalists and helped increase IRA membership.
Why did the UVF re-emerge and when
- Loyalists wanted an end to the Stormont Regime and return to unionist domination
- It sought to oppose the actions of the IRA and ensure NI remained apart of the UK
- Re-emerge in the mid 1960s and had grown
Why did the UDA form and when
- It formed to fill a gap in the defences of the loyalist community.
- For most of its existence it remained a legal organisation and saw itself as a defensive group that protects unionist areas and resist Republic aggression
- It was viewed as too large to ban
- It was formed in September 1972
What group formed within the UDA
- The Ulster freedom fighter was formed.
- Members of the group carried out paramilitary attacks causing the UFF to be outlawed in 1973
when and why did Chichester-Clark resign
- As violence increased between 1970-1971, Stormont government demanded a bigger response from Britians new Conservative government.
- Chichester-Clark resigned in despair of Londons inactions.
- He resigned on the 20th of march 1971
Who replaced Chichester-Clark as PM
Brian Faulkner
What happened summer of 1971
- Violence was at a high during marching season
- The government reintroduced the ability to arrest and detain without trial of those suspected of working for the destruction of the state.
When was Internment introduced
9th of august 1971
Why did Internment fail
Intelligence was outdated
0 out of the 450 men arrested were leading member in the Provisional IRA
Unionist responses to Internment
- Unionists were happy at first but support dropped after violence was still a high
- They saw it as essential to ending IRA violence against Protestants
Nationalist responses to Internment
- They saw it as one sided as a result of IRA increased membership
- As the army was involved in the introduction of Internment, it increased poor relations with Nationalist communities
What were the responses to Internment
- Violence and destruction followed leading to many deaths
- The SDLP called for people to withhold payment of rents and rated, and for a withdrawl from local government in protest to Internment
Explain Blood sunday
- In the aftermath of another march in Derry, a riot 8 days later developed on the 30th of January 1972
- In response to this riot troops from the Parachute Regiment were sent into the Bogside and shot thirteen men and injured 13 more, one who died from wounds.
- An inquiry headed by Lord Widgery failed to provide an explanation but said everyone who had died had been carrying a weapon when shot
Unionist responses to Bloody Sunday
- There was continued support for the government who saw the march as illegal and proactive. Some thought IRA was involved in the organisation of the march.
- This resulted in increased violence which the government failed to end leading to the formation of the Ulster Vanguard headed by William Craig. in February 1972
- Vanguard was described as a coordinating body for the loyalist groups.
Nationalist responses to Bloody Sunday
- Given the belief all victims were innocent and that the attack was unprovoked, Nationalist hostility to the state increased. This symbolised by riots and Burning down the British Embassy in Dublin
- IRA membership crew and bombing campaign increased.
- Britain faced international condemnation for the role it was playing in NI
What were the reasons for the fall of Stormont
- Faulkner wants to rearm the RUCE and bring back the B-specials but refused to sign control of law and order and justice over to Edward Heath (Britain)
- On the 22nd of March 1972 senior Stormont members travelled to London to discuss the situation of NI
What changes did Edward heath inform senior members of stormont on the 22th of march 1972
- The transfer of security control to Westminster
- A referendum on the future of the border
- A gradual removal of internment
- A secretary of state for NI
- Talks with other parties in NI to establish a community government
Why was there an introduction of Direct rule
- The Ni government resigned unable to accept the loss of control on the security policy.
- On the 24th of march Heath suspended stormont and introduced direct rule
What was Unionist reactions to Direct rule
- Unionists hated the removal of Stormont as they seen it as a barrier against a United Ireland.
- A series of massive strikes and shutdowns organised by Ulster Vanguard in protest, this shut down the life of NI for 2 days but didnt get stormont back
- Increased support for Loyalist paramilitaries and sectarian killings and support for DUP increased
What was Nationalist reactions to Direct rule
- The SDLP and Dublin government welcomed chances for new beginnings.
- The IRA stated its opposition of direct rule
- NICRA stated its campaign for civil rights would continue
