Ireland (3) - A deteriorating situation Flashcards
What events took place in august 1969 ?
- The deployment of the British army on the streets of NI ( 14th and 15th August)
- the eventual re-emergence of the IRA
When did Chichester-Clark travel to see Harold Wilson for the first time and what was the final result of this meeting ?
19 August 1969, Downing street declaration.
Initially what was the nationalist community told about the DSD ?
That every citizen of NI was to be treated fairly
Initially what was the unionist community told about the DSD ?
That NI would still be a part of the UK without the consent of the Northern Irish people.
What reform were also introduced with the DSD ?
- one man one vote
- end of gerrymandering
- a single housing authority was established
- ministry of community relations was created
What were the economic reforms of the DSD ?
- £2 million program of work creating schemes
- increases in investment grants
What did the Hunt report recommend ?
- disarming the RUC
- disbanding the B specials
In august 1969 what two parts did the IRA split into ?
- The official IRA
- The provisional IRA
By Easter 1970 what were the PIRA’s aims ?
- achieving civil rights
- defending the catholic population
- destroying the Stormont gov
- removing the ‘ British imperialism’ from NI
Briefly explain the Falls Road curfew.
In the middle of 1970 the BA set a 34 hour curfew on the Falls area. They also carried out house to house searches for weapons.
What were the reactions to the Falls Road curfew ?
It damaged the once good relationship between the BA and the nationalist community. And helped increase IRA membership.
When was the UDA set up ?
September 1971
What was the more violent sub-group of the UDA ?
UFF (Ulster freedom fighters) outlawed in 1973
When and why did Chichester-Clark resign as PM + who was he replaced by ?
20 March 1971, because of Westminster’s inaction towards the violence in NI. Brian Faulkner.
When did Faulkner reintroduce internment ?
9 August 1971
Why did internment fail ?
The intelligence was out of date. They interned 452 men and none of them were leaders of the IRA.
When was the first loyalist interned ?
Feb 1973
What did unionists think of internment ?
They were happy with it, but their support decreased as they saw no real decrease in violence
What did nationalists think of internment ?
Saw that it was unfair and as a result IRA membership grew.
What did people do to protest against internment ?
- The SDLP told people to stop paying their rates to the council
- civil rights marches were held
How many unarmed men died in bloody Sunday ?
13
Where did the events of Bloody Sunday take Place ?
The Bogside area of LDerry
When was Bloody Sunday ?
30 January 1972
What did unionists think of internment ?
- continued support for the gov, saw the march as illegal and provocative.
- Ulster Vanguard was set up
What did Nationalists think of internment ?
- nationalist hostility to the state increased
- IRA membership grew
- Britain faced international condemnation for the role it was playing in NI
When MPs visited Westminster on the 22 March 1972 what did they propose?
- the transfer of security to Westminster
- a referendum on the border
- removal of internment
- a secretary of state for NI
When was Direct Rule introduced ?
24th March 1972
What were the unionist reactions to Direct rule ?
They were horrified at the removal of Stormont. They organised a huge protest with over 100,000 people attending. There was also an increase in membership of loyalist paramilitaries.
What were the nationalists reactions to Direct rule ?
The IRA opposed Direct Rule. NICRA stated that its campaign for civil rights would continue. Overall most nationalists welcomed it.
