Northern Ireland: Hunger Strikes 1980-81 Flashcards
What were the two Westminster Government Policies designed to defeat the paramilitary campaigns
Ulsterisation
Criminalisation
What is Ulsterisation
increasing size of UDR and RUC while reducing numbers of British army on streets of NI
What was Criminalisation
Ending special category status for those convicted of terrorist crimes after March 1976. Anyone convicted after date would be treated in same way as other criminals. Sent to new prison
What was Special Category status
Those convicted of crimes related to the troubles were acting for political reasons not criminal and were POW. came with privileges like own clothing in prison
Why did the Republican Prisoners hate criminalisation
viewed themselves as freedom fighters rather than criminals
What did the republican prisoners do to oppose criminilisation
Wore blankets rather than clothes
1978 started to smear excrement on walls of their cells.
Why did the republican prisoners decide to start the first hunger strike
No action resulted in the ending of criminalisation despite nearly 40% of all republican prisoners involved in protests. On 27th October 1980 seven republican prisoners started the first hunger strike. It ended 52 days later
Why did the first hunger strike end
Wrongly believed that an agreement had been made with the government relating to wearing of non-prison issue clothes.
When did the second hunger strike begin
1st March 1981 when PIRA prisoners Officer Commanding, Bobby Sands refused food.
What was the plan for the second Hunger Strike
sands began the strike, he was then to be joined by a new hunger striker each week.
Sands did this as they believed the strike would lead to a prisoner dying each week thus increasing pressure on BG to end criminalisation
Why did Bobby Sands run for MP of Fermanagh-South Tyrone
No law precluding prisoners becoming an MP so saw this as chance to increase pressure on the British
What day of the second Hunger Strike was Bobby Sands elected for MP
The Fortieth day
When did Bobby Sands die?
5th May 1981, 100,000 people attended his funeral
How many people died overall due to the second hunger strike
71
When was the second Hunger Strike called off
3rd October
What Concessions were granted a few days after the end of the second Hunger Strike
Prisoners could wear own clothes
More prison visits would be allowed
Prisoners would be allowed to spend more time together during the day.
Reinstate the 50% reduction in length of sentence. Concession had been lost by those prisoners involved in protests against criminalisation
Results of the Hunger Strikes
Greater level of nationalist hostility towards British Government
Increase in support for PIRA
Increase in levels of paramilitary violence
What groups were putting pressure under Thatchers Government
Unionists
Dublin Government
How did the unionists put pressure on Thatcher
Believed Thatcher wasn’t doing enough to stop either the growth in PIRA membership or levels of violence.
how did the Dublin Government put pressure on Thatcher
Believed a new political solution was needed to bring PIRA campaign to an end
When did Sinn Fein adopt the Armalite and Ballot Box strategy
November 1981
What was the Armalite and Ballot Box Strategy
Using both politics and violence to achieve aims
What were the SDLP concerns about Sinn Fein rise
Concerned that Sinn Fein may become largest nationalist party if something wasn’t done
How did Sinn Fein appear to be increasing in popularity
Won seats and more votes in elections including:
Elections for a new assembly (October 1982)
1983 General Election (Gerry Adams elected MP)
Local Government Elections in 1985
