Topic Three - Northern Ireland 1965-1985 [9] Flashcards
Study Source B [9 marks]
Supporters holding placards; the placards read:
• CIVIL RIGHTS NOW!
• CIVIL RIGHTS NOT CIVIL WAR
• HOME SECRETARY INTERVENE NOW!
• DISARM B. SPECIAL POLICE IN NORTHERN IRELAND
(A photograph showing Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, NICRA, campaigners, February 1967)
Using Source B, and your own knowledge, explain the main demands of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA)
The source explicitly outlines some of the aims of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association after its establishment in January 1967. It calls for the disarming of the B-Specials and NICRA wanted to go further and to disband the B-Specials altogether.
The source also demands Civil Rights and not civil war which is an allusion to the dangers faced if civil rights are not granted. Further the source demands intervention from the government in order to address their grievances.
NICRA also had other demands, they wanted an end to plural voting in local government elections which was awarded on property franchise. This meant that those who owned property had more votes than others and these were disproportionally Unionist. This was summed up by the slogan, ‘One Man ; One Vote!’.
They also sought the repeal of the 1922 Special Powers Act which gave the government and police force wide ranging powers.
NICRA also wanted an end to gerrymandering which allowed for the artificial manipulation of electoral boundaries to influence the result of elections.
Civil rights campaigners also made demands for the creation of an Ombudsman’s office to deal with complaints and also the fair allocation of government jobs to end discrimination in that area.
Finally, they also wanted local government housing to be awarded on a points system based on need so that it too would be fair.
