Unit 3: Search for a Solution

Question 1

How did Unionists react to the proposals of Power Sharing made by the British Government in March 1973?

Answer 1

Some Unionists were supportive of Whitelaw’s plans. Although other Unionists were against Power Sharing, and so created the UUUC ( The United Ulster Unionist Council )

Question 2

How did Nationalists react to the proposals of Power Sharing made by the British Government in March 1973?

Answer 2

Nationalists were broadly supportive of the Power Sharing

Question 3

In the June 1973 elections, what did the results reveal about the support for Power Sharing?

Answer 3

They revealed that the majority of Unionists were against Power Sharing, but a large number of Unionists were Pro Power Sharing

Question 4

When was the Power Sharing Executive Formed?

Answer 4

November 1973

Question 5

When and where did discussions about the Council of Ireland begin?

Answer 5

December 1973 in Sunningdale

Question 6

Give the 5 terms of the Sunningdale Agreement?

Answer 6

• London agreed not to oppose Irish Unification if a majority wanted it
• Dublin accepted Unity could only be achieved peacefully
• A council of Ministers was to be established
• A Consultative Assembly would be elected
• Control of Internal Issues would return to Stormont

Question 7

Why did problems arise very early after the agreement?

Answer 7

Nationalists and Unionists thought they were agreeing to something very different.

Question 8

What did the SDLP think the Sunningdale Agreement was doing?

Answer 8

They thought it was creating closer ties between North and South

Question 9

What did the Unionists think the Sunningdale agreement was?

Answer 9

They thought it was means of getting Dublin to accept that NI is apart of the UK

Question 10

How did Unionists react to the Sunningdale agreement?

Answer 10

Loyalist paramilitaries created an Ulster Army Council to resist any Council of Ireland

Question 11

How did Nationalists react to the Sunningdale Agreement?

Answer 11

IRA set off lots of bombs in London before Christmas

Question 12

What 3 proposals were made for Northern Ireland by the British government in March 1973?

Answer 12

• A new law making assembly elected by proportional representation
• Sharing of power between Catholics and Protestants
• Creation of a Council of Ireland