NICRA and 5 Point Reforms Flashcards
What does NICRA stand for?
Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association
when was NICRA set up?
1967
who were the leaders of NICRA?
Paddy Devlin, Eamonn McCann and Michael Farrell
name a key influence on NICRA and their similarities
American civil rights movement led by MLK Jr
similarities - placards, marching, peaceful protest, singing
name the other influences on NICRA
French student demonstrations 1968
JFK becoming US President (1st RC)
New generation of university-educated Nationalists
Nationalist party at Stormont hadn’t done much work
What were NICRA’s aims?
One man, One vote end gerrymandering end special powers act end 'B' specials fair allocation of council houses fair allocation of govt. jobs create a formal complaints procedure
NICRA was a ____ organisation
divisive
who were NICRA’s supporters?
nationalist community
moderate unionists
trade unions
who were NICRA’s opponents?
many unionists - thought they were the IRA in disguise, thought they discriminated against working class Unionists, thought their secret 8th aim was a United Ireland
give the dates of two of NICRA’s marches
24th August 1968
5th October 1968
why did NICRA march on 24th August 1968?
decision of Dungannon rural district council to give a council house in Caledon to a 19 year old Protestant woman rather than a Nationalist family
why did NICRA march on 5th October 1968?
to highlight seeming inequalities in Derry’s corporation’s housing policy
what was the reaction to NICRA’s 24th August 1968 march?
Nationalist MP Austin Currie squatted in the house and suggested holding a protest march
what was the reaction to NICRA’s 5th October 1968 march?
RUC banned march due to Unionist Apprentice Boys the same day to prevent conflict
what was the outcome of NICRA’s 24th August 1968 march?
demonstration was prevented from entering Dungannon town centre by police - alternative rally at police barricade
what was the outcome of NICRA’s 5th October 1968 march?
4 MPs appeared at the march with RTÉ camera crew, showing the world the heavy-handed tactics by the police.
When were the 5 point reforms issued?
22nd November 1968
what were the aims of the 5 point reforms?
to try and end discrimination in jobs, housing, voting and society
what were the 5 point reforms?
allocation of council housing on a points system
replacement of Londonderry corporation with a Development Commission
removal of parts of the Special Powers Act
reforms within local government including the ending of extra votes for business owners
the appointment of an ombudsman to investigate complaints
what were the two NICRA reforms not granted in the 5 point reforms?
one man, one vote and disband the ‘B’ Specials
how did NICRA react to the 5 point reforms?
they weren’t initially happy as they hadn’t fulfilled all of their wishes. They protested against it.
how did unionists react to the 5 point reforms?
they didn’t like them because they thought they favoured the nationalist community
How did O’Neill face opposition from the government after the 5 point reforms?
Home Affairs Minister William Craig - condemned speech and argued the PM was acting under pressure from the British. Craig was fired
