Power-Sharing Flashcards
Nationalist response to power-sharing executive
Supported p-s executive SDLP
Some Unionists response to PS
- Supported PS executive
- OUP Brian Faulkner
British Gov response to power-sharing
Supported e.g William Whitelaw
Alliance party response to P.S
Supported
Unionist response to power-sharing
DUP Ian Paisley opposed bc Irish dimension

Harry West Unionist response to P.S
Opposed
Ulster Vanguard William response to PS
Opposed
What groups joined together to form the United Ulster Unionist council UUUC?
- remainder of OUP not loyal to BF
- DUP
- new Vanguard unionist Progressive Party- W Craig
Who was the leader of the power-sharing executive?
Brian Faulkner 
Deputy leader of power-sharing executive?
Gerry Fitt
Power-sharing executive ministries
11
How many ministries did unionists hold in power-sharing executive
Six
How many ministries did nationalists hold in the power-sharing executive?
Four
How many ministries did the alliance party hold in the power sharing executive?
One
Who stated agreement of the power-sharing executive?
William Whitelaw, secretary of state 
When did William Whitelaw state agreement of membership of P S. Executive?
November 1973
Bloody Friday 21 July 1972
IRA detonated 20 bombs across Belfast, one hour, nine civilians dead and 130 injured
Claudy bomb 31 July 1972
- Bomb
- detonated village of Claudy
- nine civilians died
How many people died in Northern Ireland in 1972 as a result of paramilitary violence?
496 (almost 500)
1972 the worst year of the troubles despite?
- interment, 1971
- Direct rule 1972
- 2 week IRA ceasefire
Causes of operation motorman
British gov reacted to increasing violence
Aims of operation motorman
allow British army and police to retain control of paramilitary controlled no-go areas Belfast and Derry
How many British soldiers used in operation motorman?
28000 
Consequences of operation motorman
- successes encouraged the British gov to make moves towards a political settlement in NI
- British gov wanted to establish a cross-community government.
Why was political progress needed at the start of 1973
- Violence increased
- loyalists began to be interned 
What did British gov do March 1973? (Also a consequence of operation motorman.)
Published proposals
What was British gov political proposal one March 1973?
- New law making assembly
- elected by proportional representation
- not the old system of first past the post
British gov political proposal two March 1973 
New law-making assembly not have control over security or justice
What would happen for British gov proposals march 1973 to work?
- Power-sharing.
- The ‘ Irish dimension’
Power-sharing
Power-sharing between Catholics and protestants
The Irish dimension
- role for RoI in NI
- through creation of council of Ireland
What would the council of Ireland allow?
Discussion of interest shared between Belfast, Dublin and UK
Why were June 1973, NI elections a problem to power-sharing executive
Unionism split over power sharing majority oppose
Future of power-sharing in NI far from certain
What are the different beliefs that made them a problem to power-sharing?
- unionist
- nationalist
Unionist view on ps
- mere token
- Way to get RoI to accept NI as part of UK
Nationalist view on PS
- step towards creation closer ties NI and RoI
- potentially United Ireland
Why was the British government a problem PS
Failed define areas and control which the council of Ireland would have
Why were Republicans a problem to power-sharing?
Not overly happy with power-sharing, not a united Ireland
Why were loyalist paramilitaries a problem to power-sharing?
December 1973 – UDA and UVF announced formation of Ulster army council resist any Irish dimension
What was the aim of the Ulster army council?
Resist any Irish dimension
PIRA problem, PS
Set off a series of bombs, December 1973 in London
Feb 1974 general election problem. PS
- Unionists saw as opportunity to show opposition to PS
- UUUC received 80% vote, won 11 of 12 seats
Feb 1974, general election results
Majority of NI opposed to Sunningdale call for new NI assembly elections by UUUC rejected
Internal OUP problems: problem to power-sharing
- 4 jan 1974 0UP ruling body Ulster Unionist council voted to reject Sunningdale agreement
- 427 to 374 votes
- irish dimension ruined BF persuading unionists to accept PS
What did internal problems in OUP cause BF to do?
Resign as leader replaced by Harry West remained leader of power-sharing executive
Who replaced BF as OUP leader
Harry West
Causes of Ulster workers council strike
- 14 May 1974, NI assembly voted: continue support SA
Aim of UW council strike
Show unionist opposition to SA
UWC
- Ulster Workers Council
- Group of Protestant trade unionists
UWCS event
- Lacked support initially
- UDA and Ulster Vanguard intimidated workers
- insured NI came to a standstill
Consequences of UWC strike
- food at low levels ⬇️🍎
- industries closed down 🏢⬇️
- electricity blackouts ⚫️⚡️
- fuel supplies limited and controlled by paramilitaries ⬇️⛽️
- hundreds of road blocks 🧱🛣️🧱 made travel almost impossible 🚫🚗
What was the next step in Dec 1973, after forming the power-sharing executive in November 1973?
An agreement on the form and powers of the Council of Ireland 🇮🇪
What would the Sunningdale agreement be? ☀️
An agreement on the form and powers of the council of Ireland
Where did the Sunningdale agreement discussions take place?
Sunningdale in England
Who was present at the Sunningdale agreement discussions?
- British PM T Heath
- Taoiseach L. Cosgrove
- OUP leader B. Faulkner
- SDLP leader G. Fitt
- Alliance leader O. Napier
Who was not present at Sunningdale agreement discussions?
Anti-power-sharing politicians
What did B. Faulkner do 28 May 1974?
Resigned as leader of PS executive
Why did BF resign as leader of PS executive?
Saw no other option ➡️ UWC strike
What ended the PS executive?
B. Faulkner’s resignation
What happened when PS ended?
- UWC strike ended the next day
- DR returned to NI
Who were responsible for the 17 May 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings?
UVF
How many people died in the 17 May 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings?
32 people died
What angered the UWC strikers further?
British PM, Wilson going on TV and calling them “spongers”
What were the British army not willing to do to the end the strike?
Use the British army
Why were the British soldiers hesitant to prevent the UWC strikers?
Argued that it was a political event, not a terrorist one
What did the British government do to try and re-gain some control during the UWC strike?
Trying to take over fuel supplies ⛽️
What did the UWC call for?
A total shutdown of Northern Ireland
What was the British governments term of agreement to the Sunningdale agreement?
Agreed not to oppose Irish unification of a majority wanted it
RoI government terms of agreement, Sunningdale agreement
Accepted Irish unification could only be achieved with consent of majority NI
What was one of the terms of agreement of the Sunningdale agreement?
Control over security would return to Stormont
Council of ministers terms of agreement, Sunningdale agreement
14 members would help develop cooperation in Northern Ireland and the Republic
Terms of agreement sunningdale agreement, 60 member consultative assembly
30 members from Northern Ireland and 30 from the Republic
