troubles in northern ireland including Sunningdale Agreement Flashcards
What did Heath’s policy intend to do?
not only to try to defeat the IRA, as the unionists and loyalists wanted, but to look for a permanent political solution that would ensure peace
what did Heath’s policy lead to?
negotiations with the main Northern Irish political parties
two political parties in Northern Ireland
-unionist and loyalist parties
-nationalist and republican parties
unionist and loyalist parties
-Ulster Unionist party (UUP)
-Democratic Unionist party (DUP)
-Alliance
unionist and loyalist parties
Ulster Unionist party (UUP)
the only major unionist party in northern Ireland until the trouble
-ruled northern Ireland between 1921-1972
Ulster Unionist party (UUP)
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)
formed in 1971 by Reverend ian paisley + other unionists disillusioned with moderate unionists in the UUP , Paisley remained its leader until 2008
Ulster Unionist party (UUP)
Alliance
formed in 1970- to be moderate unionist party and aimed to gain support from both Catholics + protestants
-over time it has become neutral in its view about the future of Northern Ireland
Nationalist and republican parties
social democratic labour party (SDLP)
Sinn Fein
Nationalist and republican parties
Social Democratic Labour Party (SDLP)
formed in 1970 by nationalists such as John Hume to fight for civil rights for Catholics + a united Ireland by rejecting violent methods
Nationalist and republican parties
Sinn Fein
A republican party - dated back to 1905, although in 1970 it split, the new Sinn Fein party supported the provisional Irish republican army - it was excluded from negotiations
in 1973 what did Heath and Whitelaw negotiate?
the Sunningdale Agreement
-a complex plan for a power-sharingT gov with he support of the SDLP and the alliance and the leadership of UUP
The Sunningdale Agreement was named after hotel in Berkshire where the negotiations took place.
what did it propose?
(power sharing)
-power-sharing executive of both nationalists and unionists-both sides would be guaranteed representation
The Sunningdale Agreement
what did it propose?
(how northern Ireland assembly elected)
- a new Northern Ireland Assembly elected under system of proportional representation
The Sunningdale Agreement
what did it propose?
(council of Ireland)
a council of Ireland that would have some input from the republic of ireland
who denounced Sunningdale as a sell-out?
extremists, both republicans and loyalists
who were opposed?
both the UVF and UDA were opposed
what did the UUP vote to do in January 1974?
voted to pull out in January 1974 and Brian Faulker , head of executive replaced as leader of the UUP by Harry West who was opposed to the agreement
prospects of a settlement further undermined by?
problems that were ongoing in mainland Britain= miners’ strike and the Feb 1974 general election
those parties opposed to Sunningdale put up?
a single candidate in each constituency of Northern Ireland
what was split?
pro-sunningdale votes
how many constituencies returned candidates and opposed the agreement
11 out of 12
concern about the Sunningdale agreement meant that the conservative party could not rely on the support of?
the UUP as might have been expected, preventing conservatives from continuing in government
