the Downfall of O’Neill

Question 1

Why was O’Neill not the popular choice as unionist party leader?

Answer 1

He was selected not elected

Question 2

Who did most unionist MPs want to be Unionist Party leader?

Answer 2

Brian Faulkner

Question 3

What undermined his whole rule?

Answer 3

The lack of widespread support within the OUP

Question 4

What were disliked by members of his government?

Answer 4

O’Neill’s policies, especially improved relations with the Republic of Ireland and concessions to nationalists

Question 5

Were there attempts to remove O’Neill?

Answer 5

1966, backbenchers

Question 6

What increased the pressure on O’Neill?

Answer 6

The violence following the NICRA march in Derry, October 1968

Question 7

Which ministers criticised O’Neill?

Answer 7

William Craig, Home Affairs Minister.

He condemned O’Neill’s television speech after his Five Point Reform Programme, arguing O’Neill was giving in to pressure from the British government and was dismissed

Question 8

What increased pressure on O’Neill to act more decisively?

Answer 8

The PD was hostile to the government of Northern Ireland and was determined to “smash Stormont» After the PD march in January 1969, violence became more widespread.

Question 9

Why did Faulkner resign?

Answer 9

Faulkner (Deputy Leader) and another cabinet member resigned after the Cameron Commission was established after Burntollet arguing that an inquiry, whatever its findings, could only make the situation worse.

Question 10

What was happening despite O’Neill’s willingness to set up an inquiry?

Answer 10

Catholics lost further confidence in the government and the RUC.

Question 11

Whose opinion was gaining support in the OUP?

Answer 11

Faulkner’s opinion of O’Neill seemed to be gaining support within the OUP, with 12 MPs calling for O’Neill’s resignation on 30 January 1969.

Question 12

What did O’Neill do instead of resigning?

Answer 12

O’Neill called a general election in an attempt to prove that public opinion was behind his efforts to modernise Northern Ireland.

Question 13

Crossroads Election in February 1969,

Answer 13

• O’Neill misjudged the situation when he called the Crossroads Election in February 1969,
• O’Neill failed to attract enough support from nationalists
• there was a reduction in unionist support and increased divisions within the OUP.

Question 14

How was the OUP was divided?

Answer 14

The OUP was divided as O’Neill lost the support of one-third of unionist MPs

Question 15

What meant it was difficult for him to get support with some sections of the Official Unionist Party?

Answer 15

O’Neill’s upper class background and aloof personality

Question 16

Who was popular?

Answer 16

Ian Paisley who stood against O’Neill in his Bannside constituency.

Question 17

What was the trigger that led to O’Neill’s resignation?

Answer 17

• April 1969 was a series of bombings including the bombing of the Silent Valley reservoir
• which appeared to be the work of the IRA were actually carried out by loyalists in the Spring of 1969
• forced O’Neill to resign on 28 April 1969. O’Neill claimed he was “bombed out of office”

Question 18

Who replaced O’Neill?

Answer 18

Major James Chichester-Clark, his cousin who had resigned when O’Neill promised to introduce “One-man-one-vote”. Now he declared he would continue with O’Neill’s reform programme.

Question 19

Nationalist reaction to Crossroads election

Answer 19

• O’Neill failed to attract enough support from nationalists

Question 20

Unionist reaction to crossroads election

Answer 20

• there was a reduction in unionist support and increased divisions within the OUP.