Historical background and key dates Flashcards
Why are these dates important
They help understand the political policies of each party between 1958 and 1998-
These are a summary of conflict and political agreements
1920 Government of ireland act
This was passed at Westminster to stop the anglo-irish war.
It allows for the establishment of TWO home rule parliaments (devolved) in ireland, one in southern counties and one in North.
The south fought this but unionists took advantage of it to set up a government in the North which would have control over the 6 counties
1968 Civil rights movement
Influenced by civil rights movement in USA this movement was led by nationalist politicians which were SDLP (SF hadnt been formed yet).
Republicans as a minority saw this as an opportunity for more radical programmes, this led to conflict that stormont wasnt able to deal with so the British government intervened and led to two controversial policies:
1971 Internment without trial
1972 bloody sunday.
1971 Internment without trial
this was disproportionately used against catholics causing them to be areested and held without charge or trial causing the republican ideas to seem more appealing among the catholic community
1972 Bloody sunday
British troops were brought in to deal with violence at the start focusing on loyalist violence in catholic areas of belfast
In January 1072 british troops shot and injured 28 protestors in Derry resulting in 14 deaths, this lead to the closing of stormont and direct rule from Westminster
30 March 1972
Direct rule was established and government was closed
1973 Sunningdale agreement
This was the first attempt to find a political solution to NI.
The British Government wanted to re-establish a local government with this agreement putting plans for 78 seat power sharing assembly in NI with a council of ireland to made up of representatives in the Dail and Stormont.
Unionists rejected this and the agreement failed
ulster workers council strike 1974
This was a coordinated strike in protest of the sunningdale agreement which causes large sections of the workforce to go on strike ending the sunningdale agreement
1985 Anglo-irish agreement
Brought by Margaret Thatcher this meant that the British and Irish government were agreeing a strategy for northern Ireland without relying on the support of northern ireland unionists.
This gave a rise to the “ulster says no” campaign which didnt end the agreement.
this agreement led to the foundations for the development of the talks which would eventually lead to the GFA
1988 Hume/Adams talks
The leader of the largest nationalist party, John Hume, set up a series of talks with the leader of SF, Gerry Adams, to persuade republicans to give up the armed struggle and look for a political solution
1991 Brooke initiative
in 1990 the then secretary of state for NI, Peter brooke said that Britian had no “Selfish strategic or economic interest in NI”
This was a momentous statement as it made it clear that the british government wouldnt object to unity by consent.
1993 Downing street declaration
this was a statement jointly issued by prime minister John Major and Irish prime minister Albert Reynolds appealing to both paramilitaries to lay down arms (ceasefire) and return to peaceful negotations
31 August 1994
IRA ceasefire announced
13 October 1994
Loyalist command ceasefire announced
1995 Framework document
Released by the british and irish government stressing the need to come to a peaceful agreement
