O’neill Years 1963-69 Flashcards
Who was O’Neill
Leader of the official unionist party (OUP)
When was O’Neill voted the new PM of NI
1963
How many aims did O’Neill have
3
What were O’Neill‘s 3 MAIN aims
Improving the economy
Improving community relations
Improving relations between NI and the republic
Was unemployment a problem in NI
Yes it was
Catholics : 17.8%
Protestants : 6.6%
6 examples of O’Neill work to improve the economy
New public housing
New university set up in colreine
5 special economic zones where made
M1 was built
Government invest 900 million into the economy
New hospital built
Why did nationalists not approve of the new university
It should of been set up in the mixed city London-Derry rather than in the unionist town of colreine
Why did nationalists not like the new town craigavon
It was named after a unionist prime minister
Why did nationalists not like the new factories being built
They were often built around Belfast (east NI) and many nationalists lived in the west so missed out on these jobs
4 ways O’Neill tried to improve relations with northern nationalists
He offered condolences when Pope John XXIII died in 1963.
Increased funding for catholic hospitals i.e. Belfast mater hospital
Promised reform in voting system, housing, education
Carried out symbolic gestures such as visiting catholic schools and other institutions such as hospitals
A piece of evidence to show that nationalists were prepared to support O’neills work
The visit of lemass to Stormont was followed by the decision to the nationalist party to take up the ‘official opposition’ in stormont for the first time in history
What influences caused young, well educated nationalists to demain more from o’neills work
International influences like the civil rights for Blacks campaign in America, this successful campaign alongside other international movements in France, Germany and Israel served to encourage younger, well educated NI catholics and nationalists to try and achieve reform
What type of unionist supported o’neills work
The moderate unionist
What unionist leader disagreed with o’neills work
Ian Paisley
Why did Ian paisley not support o’neills work
Didn’t like the catholic faith
Worried o’neills support for nationalists could lead to a United Ireland
What did Ian paisley to try and stop O’Neill
He and his followers threw snowballs at Sean lemass during his visit to stormont
He formed a ulster constitution defence committee and encouraged ulster Protestant volunteers to resist o’neills reforms and went to prison for refusing to pay a fine for riotous behaviour
One of O’Neills OUP colleagues who thought his policies were too liberal
Harry west
What proved that O’Neill was aware that he didn’t have full support of his OWN party
In September 1965, there was an attempt to displace O’Neill involving half the unionist MPs at stormont
What did O’Neill hope would happen if he improved the relations with NI and the Republic of Ireland
He hoped it would improve both NI’s economy and the republic’s economy and boost his support from the nationalist community in NI
Who were the two Irish PMs to meet O’Neill
Sean Lemass: Jan 1965
Jack Lynch: Dec 1967
Why was the meeting between O’Neill and Lemass symbolic
First meeting between Irelands main leaders in 40 years of the state existing
What agreements were reached to improve relations between the two states after Lemass and O’Neills meeting
To supply electricity from the south and moves were started to cooperate in tourism but never discussed a United ireland
What were nationalists reaction to O’Neills efforts to improve relations between the north and south
Supported his work to improve relations with the republic
What were unionists reaction to O’Neills efforts to improve relations between the north and south
-Didn’t want closer ties with republic as they feared the reforms might undermine the position of unionism in NI
-they feared that if ties grew stronger that a United ireland could happen
Why did Unionists not want a United ireland
Felt British not Irish
Felt as thought they’d become a minority and face discrimination eg: in religion and politics
