The Sunningdale Agreement

Question 1

What was Whitelaw looking for?

Answer 1

For possible avenues to re-establish government in Northern Ireland following the introduction of direct rule

Question 2

What was the name of the documents produced by Whitelaw?

Answer 2

‘The future of Northern Ireland’

Question 3

What ideas did the ‘Future of Northern’ include?

Answer 3

The ideas of power-sharing + council of Ireland

Question 4

How did Whitelaw look to reassure Unionists that the union would not be broken?

Answer 4

By holding a referendum on the border on the 8th of March 1973

Question 5

What was the referendum called?

Answer 5

The Border Poll

Question 6

What happened when the referendum was held?

Answer 6

Nationalists boycotted it, whilst Unionists turned out in huge numbers

Question 7

What did the referendum represent?

Answer 7

Unionist opposition (99% voted for NI to remain part of Britain)

Question 8

What did the White paper guarantee?

Answer 8

It guaranteed that NI would remain as part of the UK, should the majority want it

Question 9

What did the Whitepaper propose?

Answer 9

Proposed a new assembly (parliament) in Ireland

Question 10

What is power-sharing?

Answer 10

Where all political parties are represented

Question 11

What would the new government (in NI) deal with?

Answer 11

Internal issues such as housing + healthcare

Question 12

What would the government in London deal with?

Answer 12

Policing/legal system (very controversial/contenscious issues)

Question 13

What Unionist group was established to resist power-sharing + the establishment of a Council of Ireland?

Answer 13

The United Ulster Unionist Council (UUUC)

Question 14

Why was the United Ulster Unionist Council established to do?

Answer 14

To resist power-sharing + the establishment of a Council of Ireland

Question 15

What did The Council of Ireland encourage?

Answer 15

Co-operation between the North and South of Ireland

Question 16

What happened when the Sunningdale Agreement was announced?

Answer 16

-A meeting was called by the Ulster Council
-motion opposing the Council of Ireland was passed

Question 17

What was Brian Faulkner forced to do following the announcement and motion?

Answer 17

To resign as leader of the Unionist Party

Question 18

Why was Faulkner forced to resign?

Answer 18

Because he supported the Sunningdale Agreement

Question 19

Why was the workforce of important industries almost all Protestant?

Answer 19

Because of systematic discrimination

Question 20

What was the Ulster Workers Council?

Answer 20

A loyalist section of the workforce

Question 21

What did the UWC suggest to oppose the Sunningdale Agreement + power-sharing?

Answer 21

A strike

Question 22

Who became involved in the strikes?

Answer 22

Loyalist paramilitary groups

Question 23

What did the loyalist paramilitary groups establish?

Answer 23

-Roadblocks
- sent men into factories to ‘suggest’ they close

Question 24

What happened to the electricity?

Answer 24

It was cut by strikers

Question 25

What impact did the strike have on NI

Answer 25

Brought the whole country to a standstill (homes without electricity, sewage plants in danger of failing, people’s lives threatened)

Question 26

How did the British Army and RUC react to the strike?

Answer 26

They watched it while it took place + took no action to stop it

Question 27

what did the success of the strike demonstrate?

Answer 27

the power and strength of the unionists strong political influence