7 Internment, Bloody Sunday & Direct Rule

Question 1

Why had Chichester Clark resigned from his post?

Answer 1

Westminster did not respond strongly enough to the levels of violence in 1970-71

Question 2

Who became the PM on 20th March 1971 ?

Answer 2

Brian Faulkner

Question 3

When did Chichester Clark resign?

Answer 3

20th March 1971

Question 4

Reason for internment

Answer 4

Brian Faulkner was unable to reduce the levels of violence and pressure from unionists

Question 5

When did internment start?

Answer 5

9th August 1971

Question 6

What was internment’s Codename?

Answer 6

Operation Demetrius

Question 7

Success of internment

Answer 7

Internment was not successful because non of the men arrested were IRA members and violence increased in the republic with the formation of the UVF in 1971. Since the introduction of internment in 1971, 143 died through bombings and shootings.

Question 8

Reason for the failure of internment

Answer 8

As the British army got involved it’s relations with the nationalist community deteriorated even further and caused more violence. IRA members also increased

Question 9

Evidence of discrimination in internment

Answer 9

The evidence provided was out of date and those targeted for internment were nationalists or civil rights supporters

Question 10

How did the nationalists react to internment in August 1971 ? Why?

Answer 10

Hostile to the army. They felt internment discriminated against them

Question 11

Unionists reaction to internment

Answer 11

They believed that it had worked in the past and saw it as essential for ending IRA violence

Question 12

Nationalists reaction to internment

Answer 12

Saw it as one sided in its application because the first loyalists were not interned until February 1973 and it was open to substantial abuse

Question 13

SDLP reaction to internment

Answer 13

Established in August 1970 & led by Gerry Fitt. They planned to call for people to withhold payment of rents and rates and for a withdrawal from local government in protest

Question 14

NICRA reaction to internment

Answer 14

Held a march in Londonderry on 30th January 1972 which became known as Bloody Sunday

Question 15

Describe Bloody Sunday (3)

Answer 15

Date: 30th January 1972
How: in the aftermath of another NICRA march in Derry against internment, eight days later a riot developed
Who: Parachute Regiment were ordered to the bog side and shot thirteen Catholics dead. Thirteen more were injured, 1 died of his wounds.

Question 16

Unionist reactions to Bloody Sunday (4)

Answer 16

Continued support for the government
They saw the march as both illegal and provocative
Some unionists believed the IRA was involved
Some of those killed have been armed

Question 17

Nationalist reactions to Bloody Sunday (3)

Answer 17

• believed that all of the victims were innocent
• the parachute regiment attacks was unprovoked
• nationalist hostility to the state was increased
• IRA membership grew particularly in Derry / Londonderry

Question 17

Reasons for a Direct Rule (2)

Answer 17

• Westminster concluded that the NI government was no longer capable of maintaining law and order
• it was becoming increasingly difficult to justify unionist domination

Question 18

Faulkners demand ?

Answer 18

The power to rearm the RUC and re establish the B Specials

Question 19

Britain’s PM demand?

Answer 19

Control of law and order and justice. Faulkner refused him this which led to the senior Stormont members travelling to London

Question 20

What were Heaths proposed changes at London Talks 22nd March 1972? (5) (to get stars try revising)

Answer 20

• the transfer of security control to Westminster
• the gradual removal of internment
• a Secretary of State for NI
• talks with other parties in NI to establish a ‘community government’
• a referendum on the future of the border

Question 21

How did Faulkners government respond to these changes?

Answer 21

The entire NI government resigned, unable to accept the loss of control over security policy

Question 22

When was Direct Rule introduced?

Answer 22

24th March 1972. Heath responded to the NI government resignation by suspending Stormont for a year and introducing direct rule

Question 23

What does Direct Rule mean?

Answer 23

NI would be governed directly by the British government in London

Question 24

Unionist and loyalist paramilitaries reactions to Direct Rule

Answer 24

Most unionists were horrified, as they saw Stormont as a barrier against a United Ireland. Ulster vanguard provided a series of massive strikes and shutdowns

Question 25

Two things that unionists and loyalist paramilitaries did in reaction to Heaths introduction of Direct Rule

Answer 25

• increased support for loyalist paramilitaries
• increased support for DUP and unionist parties
• strikes which shut down much of life in NI for two days

Question 26

What nationalists thought about the end of Stormont

Answer 26

The SDLP and dublin government welcomed the changes for a new beginning. IRA stated it’s opposition to direct rule and announced its goal of achieving a United ireland.

Question 27

When was the DUP set up?

Answer 27

30th September 1971

Question 28

Who set up the DUP?

Answer 28

Ian Paisley

Question 29

Who followed the DUP?

Answer 29

Unionists

Question 30

Why was DUP set up?

Answer 30

They act as an opponent of OUP Stormont

Question 31

Who was the first Secretary of State?

Answer 31

William Whitelaw