UNIT 1- The O’Neill Years Flashcards
The O'Neill Years
How much did O’Neill invest in the economy of Northern Ireland?
£900 million
How many economic zones did O’Neill establish?
5
To drive forward the modernisation of the economy, what ministry did he create and who was it under?
Ministry of Development under Brian Faulkner
Which new city did he establish and where?
Craigavon, between Lurgan and Portadown
To provide a skilled workforce, what was created and where?
A new university in the market town of Coleraine
With government grants, what did O’Neill attract and why?
New multinational firms to try and solve Northern Ireland’s unemployment problem
Which specific brands accepted these grants? Name 4:
Michelin, Grundig, ICI, DuPont
What did O’Neill do to try and improve Northern Ireland’s infrastructure?
Modernise the road and railway network
Who did O’Neill cooperate with, whose support was important for economic development?
The Irish Trades Union Congress
What type of refinery was opened in Belfast?
An oil refinery
What was under development at Aldergrove?
A new airport
Economic links with who lead to an agreement on what?
Economic links with the Irish Republic lead to an agreement on electricity supply
Why were these economic measures taken?
To try and improve the economy of Northern Ireland and combat the high unemployment rate, which was close to double that of the rest of the UK
What was the result of government grants to multinational firms?
Many firms took advantage of these grants and opened factories in Northern Ireland which generated more employment opportunities.
In total, how many jobs were created during the 1960s?
35,000
How many jobs were lost in ailing traditions such as linen making?
20,000
Between 1963-69, which company did the government have to provide money to in order to keep them afloat?
Harland & Wolff
Where did the unemployment rate average?
Between 7 and 8%
Where did several companies refuse to open factories and why?
West of the River Bann as it was seen as too remote
Why did the lack of employment opportunities in the west harm nationalist’s opinions of the government?
This fed already circulating allegations of bias in government and favour towards unionists.
What was the unemployment rate west of the Bann?
12.5%
Why did O’Neill take steps to improve relations in Northern Ireland?
Soon, O’Neill had realised that his economic policies alone would not change Northern Ireland and he decided to take many social actions in attempt to reduce hostility and modernise politics to end discrimination and help Nationalists identify ore strongly with the state.
Who was the spiritual leader of Ireland’s Catholics that O’Neill visited?
Cardinal Conway, Archbishop of Armagh
What did O’Neill do to support Catholics during June 1963?
Offer official condolences to the Catholic Church on Pope John XXIII’s death
Where did O’Neill visit and increase financial support for?
Catholic schools and churches, including Assumption Grammar in Ballynahinch
What were the public’s reactions to O’Neill’s political actions?
The Nationalist community appreciated these steps and saw them as courageous. However, whether the government would go far enough for one community or be seen as too much for the other was et to be addressed.
What was the “Hand of Friendship” and when did it take place?
January 14th 1965, the first meeting of Ireland’s main leaders in 40 years, when O’Neill met Taoiseach Sean Lemass at Stormont
How did O’Neill defend his meeting with Lemass on television?
He claimed both parts of Ireland had “the same rivers, the same mountains and some of the same problems”
What did Faulkner say about the 14th January 1965 meeting?
He claimed O’Neill never consulted his cabinet about the visit, showing division within the OUP
What topics were discussed in further meetings between Northern and Southern meetings?
Non-political tics such as tourism and electricity link up
Who visited in December 1967 and what did this imply?
Jack Lynch, this visit had been agreed in the cabinet which showed acceptance of this the of visit
When did O’Neill visit Dublin?
4 weeks after his first meeting with Lemass
Who was Reverend Ian Paisley?
Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church
What did Paisley do to illustrate his ongoing opposition when Lynch visited?
Snowballed his car and carried placards [alongside his supporters] which described O’Neill as a “Lundy”
Why did support for Paisley grow?
Many unionists had come to fear the implications of O’Neill’s policies and resented their failure to improve their own lives.
What suggested many were happy with O’Neill’s policies?
The result of the November 1965 general election where the OUP won 38 out of 52 seats
What did the backbenchers try to do in 1966?
Replace O’Neill, it failed.
What did polls indicate in 1967?
Unionists’ support was drifting towards Paisley.
What did William Craig do which aggravated nationalists?
Name the new town between Lurgan and Portadown “Craigavon” after NI’s first PM.
What about the new university confused nationalists?
It was situated in Coleraine rather than NI’s second largest city of Derry
There was no significant efforts to improve Catholic membership of what bodies?
Health and education
What was a consequence of Lemass’ Stormont visit?
The Nationalist Party taking up the role of official opposition for the first time in its history.
