Northen Island Heath

Question 1

The problem

Answer 1

The government’s prestige was further damaged by their handling of Northern Ireland. There were growing sectarian clashes between Catholics and protestants in Ulster and regular bombings and attacks throughout the UK. At first Heath backed the UUP leader who led the Belfast government.

Question 2

Maudling’s Polices

Answer 2

The home secretary tried to respond with a tough approach as in 1971 he introduced internment without trail which was to separate the ‘men of violence’ from the peaceful majority of Catholics. Yet this was a repeat of the errors that Gladstone had made in the 1880s.

Question 3

bloody sunday

Answer 3

January 1972 in Derry there was a civil rights march that had been prohibited, this led to clashes with troops of the Parachute Regiment Army, as a result 26 unarmed civilians were shot, 13 catholic civilians were dead and many were wounded. after bloody Sunday the British Embassy in Dublin was burned down and because of the support of the IRA grew they were able to raise funds to rebuild it.

Question 4

Bloody Sunday stats

Answer 4

1382 explosions, 10,628 shooting, 480 people died

Question 5

Direct Rule from Westminster

Answer 5

1972, Heath suspended the Northern Ireland government altogether. He reversed the policy of Lloyd George in the 1920 period which brought peace. There was direct rule from Westminster with William Whitelaw to serve as Sectary for Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland became increasingly tense and polarised as the British troop came under verbal and literal fire. The IRA continued to escalate its campaign of violence

Question 6

Direct rule

Answer 6

it is when an imperial or central power takes direct control over the legislature, executive and civil administration of an otherwise largely self-governing territory.

Question 7

Sunning dale agreement

Answer 7

December 1973, Whitelaw was able to negotiate power sharing, this gave the Catholics for the first time since 1920 a direct role i governing as power sharing executive meant both sides were represented. A new Assembly of Northern Ireland was elected under a system of proportional representation. the basic problems had been solved. Extremist on both sides denounced Sunningdale and the pro Sunningdale votes were split.