Northern Ireland and the troubles Flashcards
Describe Thatcher’s stance on the troubles in Northern Ireland.
Thatcher had strong unionist sympathies; in addition, she was determined not to give in to terrorism.
What did Thatcher face a crisis over?
Over the ongoing campaign for Special Category Status by IRA prisoners held in H-Block of the Maze prison in Belfast. They wanted to be recognised, and treated, as political prisoners.
When did the hunger strikes begin and who were they led by?
Hunger strikes, led by Bobby Sands, began in 1980 as a protest. The hunger strikes gained a lot of attention and support.
How many hunger strikers died before the protest was called off?
10 hunger strikers died before the protest was called off in October 1981, one of them including Bobby Sands.
What did Thatcher have to say about the hunger strikes?
Thatcher claimed the hunger strikes were a defeat for the IRA because their main aim, Special Category Status for IRA prisoners was not granted.
How did the hunger strikes impact Thatcher?
Thatcher’s intransigence meant that she became a hate figure for republicans in Northern Ireland, while Bobby Sands and the other strikers became republican heroes. Both unionists and republicans hardened their stances.
What happened in October 1984?
The IRA exploded a bomb in the Grand Hotel in Brighton during the Conservative Party conference. Thatcher survived but 5 people were killed and there was a national outrage in Britain.
What happened despite Thatcher’s stance of never negotiating with terrorists?
There were always secret contacts through go-betweens. At the same time the London and Dublin governments discussed proposals for a constitutional settlement in Northern Ireland
What was signed in November 1985?
- The Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed at Hillsborough.
- This set up permanent intergovernmental cooperation between the UK and enhance security cooperation between the Irish Republic and the UK.
- It also aimed to strengthen moderate nationalists against Sinn Fein and was supported by the SDLP and the Alliance.
Why did Republicans oppose the Anglo-Irish Agreement?
It conformed that Northern Ireland was part of the UK.
What caused a furious loyalist and unionist backlash?
The fact that the Hillsborough Agreement gave the Irish government an advisory role in Northern Ireland.
Describe the protest that took place in Belfast.
200,000 people attended a protest rally in Belfast where the leader of the DUP Iain Paisley, addressed the crowd:
- ‘where do the terrorists operate from? From the Irish Republic! Where do the terrorists return to for sanctuary? To the Irish Republic! And yet Mrs Thatcher tells us that the Republic must have some say in our Province. We say never, never, never, never!’
What was set up in response to the Anglo-Irish Agreement?
A new unionist paramilitary organisation, Ulster resistance, was set up in response in 1986. There was a series of atrocities on both sides. There seemed to be no way out of the cycle of violence and retaliation
