The O’Neill Years Flashcards
What were O’Neills priorities
To make NI economically stronger and prosperous
To build bridges between the two traditions in the NI community
Improve relations with the Irish republic
How did O’Neill get the job of 1st minister
He was chosen by a few senior officers of the OUP even though many people wanted it to be Brian Faulkner.
Why didn’t people like O’Neill very much?
Unionists disliked him as he lived in England most of his life and had a heavy English accent. He was also very wealthy and apart if the aristocracy.
He was a liberal reformer and wanted to change NI. He wanted to try and create strong relationships with the republic so many unionists didn’t like him.
What is gerrymandering
The fixing of electoral boundaries to ensure that local elections become foregone conclusions
What economic success did O’Neill have?
He offered allowances to big multinational companies
Constructed the M1
Oil refinery was opened in Belfast
New airport in Aldergrove
He made links with the Republic of Ireland, shared electricity
Made a new university in coleraine
How was offering tax allowances to big multinational firms successful?
A number of firms such as Michelin, DuPont, Goodyear, ICI and Grundig opened factories in NI offering many new jobs
How was constructing the M1 an economic success
It linked Belfast to the west a majority nationalist area.
What economic failures did O’Neill have?
Unemployment rose to 8%
New companies didn’t want to open west of the bann a natioanlsit area, as they thought the west was too remote
The government gave many loans to Harland and Wolff as they needed millions to survive as a company, they had a big workforce which needed payed.
Many west of the bann felt that the government weren’t doing enough as the unemployment rate there was 12.5%
Construction of Craigavon, many didn’t want to move and live there
Why did O’Neill want to improve relations with nationalists
He believed he could take religion out of politics and be more inclusive so that nationalists felt more attached and apart of Northern Ireland.
How did he improve relations with nationalists
- He visited cardinal William Conway, the leader of the Irish Catholic Church
- O’Neill sent condolences on the death of Pope John XXII in June 1963
- O’Neill visited schools and hospitals ran by Catholics. Furthermore he increased state funding in these areas
- He met with Taoiseach Sean Lemass.
Why did O’Neill want to improve relations with The Republic of Ireland
He hoped improving relations with ROI and NI would improve relations between nationalists and unionists. He also recognised the economic benefits.
How did O’Neill improve relations with ROI
1.In Jan 1965 O’Neill met the Taoiseach
2. Return visit to Dublin where they held talks on economic cooperation, electrical link-up and tourism
3. Agreed electrical link up
4. Taoiseach Jack Lynch visited NI
5. O’Neill cooperated with the Dublin based Irish trade Union.
Why did many unionists dislike O’Neill
He never had full support from OUP leadership.
Ian paisley became an outspoken O’Neill critic
Orange order disliked him. Orange order had a great influence on unionism
Who criticised O’Neill in 1969
William Craig publicly criticised O’Neills television appearance after his 5 point reform.
Brian Faulkner resigned in January 1969 saying O’Neill wasn’t strong enough.
James Chichester resigned over O’Neills intention to introduce one man one vote.
Why did nationalists dislike O’Neill
Initially nationalists were pleased as they took up the role of official opposition in stormount when originally they didn’t see the point.
This eventually gave way as they felt O’Neill left a trail of broken promises.
He was less successful at attracting business wets of the Bann where unemployment rate was 12.5%.
The decision to name the new town after NI’s founder Lord Craigavon didn’t go down well.
They wanted the new uni to be built in Catholic city Derry not a small town like coleraine.
No significant attempts were made to increase Catholic membership of health and education bodies.
