Ireland (2) - The campaign for civil rights Flashcards
Which American politician inspired the formation of NICRA ?
Martin Luther King Jr
What does NICRA stand for ?
Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association
When was it formed and by who ?
The start of 1967 and Paddy Devlin was a founding member
What were NICRA first aims ?
- one man one vote
- fair allocation of council
- end gerrymandering
- prevent discrimination of government jobs
- remove the special powers act
- disband the b specials
- establish a formal complaints procedure
How did Catholics react to NICRA ?
The new generation of Catholics enjoyed NICRA’s aims
How did liberal protestants react to NICRA ?
they sympathised with some of NICRA’s demands and believed that making NI fairer would stop a united Ireland.
What were non-liberal unionists reaction to NICRA ?
They believed that it was just a front for the IRA to act. And they also believed that NICRA only cared for Catholic rights. Also they thought NICRA wanted a united Ireland.
What caused and when was the first peaceful march held by NICRA ?
24th August 1968
the gov had given a council house to a single protestant woman instead of a catholic family
When was NICRA’s second march ?
5 OCtober 1968
Why was the march on 5th October strange ?
Stormont had banned marches east of the river foyle and NICRA rejected this. Although the crowd was small they were accompanied by 2 powerful allies.
Who were the 2 powerful allies that accompanied NICRA ?
4 Westminster Mp
RTE Tv crew
Why were the RTE crew so important ?
They broadcasted the heavy handed tactics the police used to break up the march. The world witnessed the trouble beginning in NI
What were the reforms in the five-point plan ?
- allocation of council houses on a points system
- swapping LDerry coporation with a development commission
- removal of parts of the special powers act
- end extra votes for business owners
- appointment of an ombudsman
What were the reactions to the FPP among NICRA ?
Demonstrations continued
What were the reactions to the FPP among unionists ?
It had caused dismay among them, who opposed the reforms.
Were NICRA successful ?
Probably, they have the FPP to prove it. But the emergence of PD would suggest otherwise.
What were PD demands ?
- one man, one vote
- fair boundaries
- houses on need
- jobs on merit
- free speech
- revoke the special powers act
When and where was PD first march ?
Between Belfast and Derry. 4th January 1969
What happened on the PD march ?
They were ambushed on Burntollet bridge. The police seemed to do little to deflect the attack aswell
What happened in Derry on the night of the Burntollet bridge ambush ?
Police rampaged through Nationalist areas of the city
What did NICRA do in reaction to Burntollet ?
They started to march again
What was O’Neil’s reaction to Burntollet ?
started the Cameron commission to investigate the increasing violence. He called a General election to see what the public wanted
What were the results of the general election of Feb 1969 ?
- reduction in unionist support
- little or no evidence he wanted support from catholic voters
- O’Neil only polled 1,400 more votes than his rival
What date did O’Neil resign ?
28th April 1969
What final event really showed O’Neil was at his end in office ?
A series of bombings which were carried out by loyalists. “the bombings literally blew me out of office”
How was O’Neil succeeded by ?
His cousin, James Chichester-Clark
