The Campaign for Civil Rights

Question 1

When was NICRA established and what is its objectives?

Answer 1

1967 and its objective was to push for changes and end abuses that had been ongoing in NI since its creation. It was inspired by the civil rights campaign in America

Question 2

What does NICRA stand for?

Answer 2

Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association

Question 3

How were younger catholics politically active?

Answer 3

1. Changes in the 1960s caused by the intro of the Welfare State were having an impact and producing a first wave of grads
2. A belief that Catholics should have more of a part to play in the lift of the province
3. In 1934 the campaign for social injustice was formed in Dungannon by Dr McCluskey and aimed to end discrimination in jobs and housing, this developed into NICRA

Question 4

Why did catholics support NICRA and what was their hopes?

Answer 4

They supported them because they felt they were being discriminated against and they now had confidence to protest for equal rights

Question 5

What did moderate unionists think of NICRA and what were their hopes?

Answer 5

They believed if it becomes a fairer society then they hoped demands for a united Ireland would lose support

Question 6

What did suspicious unionists think of NICRA?

Answer 6

They saw it as a ‘front’ for the IRA and that itt red intention was to achieve united ireland and they it threatened the existence of NI

Question 7

What were NICRAs tactics?

Answer 7

They practised a policy of civil disobedience e.g. sit-ins, peaceful marches and the media

Question 8

What was the first action in June 1968?

Answer 8

Squatting in caledon - sit-in in newly built council houses staged by nationalist MP Austin Currie as the council allocated houses to Protestant women instead of nationalist families

Question 9

What was NICRAs second action in Aug 1968?

Answer 9

Dungannon march - 1st civil rights movement in NI, instigated by Austin Currie, protest against unfair allocation of housing. The marchers (2,500) were aiming to get to Dungannon Town Sq but were blocked by the RUC

Question 10

What was NICRAs third action in oct 1968?

Answer 10

Londonderry march - 2nd civil rights march, similar motivation at Dungannon march, aim was to march to city centre. Apprentice Boys (unionist organisation) threatened to hold a rival protest. William Craig banned both marches. NICRA did not heed this warning

Question 11

What was NICRAs fourth action in Jan 1969?

Answer 11

Newry march - civil rights march begins peacefully. Protesters singing, then the march decency from a passive protest to violence. Moderates in NICRA losing some control

Question 12

What were the NICRA campaigner actions?

Answer 12

Quite often violence resulted from NICRA marches because NICRA had being going ahead with marches that the government has banned and the marches were seen as provocative, especially one through Protestant areas

Question 13

What was O’Neils five point reform programme?

Answer 13

1. The allocation of council housing on a points system.
2. The replacement of ‘rigged’ Londonderry corporation by a new development commission.
3. The review of the special powers act.
4. Reforms within local government, including the ending of extra votes for businesses owners
5. The appointment of an Ombudsman to investigate complaints

Question 14

What was Unionists reaction to the reform programme?

Answer 14

1. Many unionists felt their position was under threat.
2. Unionists were angry as the reforms appeared (to them) as concessions to the threat of violence.
3. Craig criticised O’Neil’s TV appearance and claimed O’Neil was giving into NICRA and British government pressure

Question 15

What was nationalist reactions to the reform programme?

Answer 15

1. They were disappointed at the failure to make key concessions.
2. The B specials were not abolished and ‘one man, one vote’ had not been granted
3. NICRA leaders decided to give the reforms a chance

Question 16

What was the people’s democracy?

Answer 16

Led by Michael Farrell and Bernadette Devlin. They felt that while NICRA had done some good work in highlighting the problems faced by catholics in NI, they wanted more radical action from O’Neil. They decided to force the issue by staging a march

Question 17

What was the PD march?

Answer 17

From Belfast to Londonderry planning to go through many Protestant areas, they avoided loyalist encounters until Burntollet Bridge as loyalists ambushed them with stones and beat them with sticks and cudgels

Question 18

What was the Cameron commission?

Answer 18

It was a British independent report that found the RUC guilty of assault and misconduct

Question 19

What was O’Neils reaction to the Cameron commission?

Answer 19

1. Brain Faulkner resigned from cabinet as he believed O’Neil was too weak to control the situation
2. William Morgan resigned from Cabineg
3. William Craig argued that the police had conducted themselves properly and that marches were linked with IRA growth

Question 20

What happened when O’Neil tried to introduce ‘One man, one vote’?

Answer 20

22MP were against and 28MPs were in favour showing how divided the unionist party divided

Question 21

What were the main reasons for O’Neils resignation?

Answer 21

1. O’Neil was unpopular in his party - he was selected not voted
2. Some of his own ministers criticised him and resigned over the Cameron commission
3. Nationalists optimism gave way to frustration
4. With loyalist bombings in early 1969 O’Neil claimed he was bombed out of office
5. In the “crossroads election” he failed to attract the support he needed
6. By 1969 violence was widespread and this put pressure on O’Neil