Campaign for civil rights

Question 1

What does NICRA stand for

Answer 1

Northern Ireland Civil Rights Act

Question 2

When was NICRA established and by who

Answer 2

It was established in 1967 by Paddy Devlin

Question 3

What was the reason for the emergence of NICRA

Answer 3

Inspired by the civil rights campaign for equality for blacks in the USA, it was set up as a non-sectarian movement to end abuse in the existing political system

Question 4

1. What were NICRAs aims (First 4)

Answer 4

1. To achieve One man, one vote
2. To ensure Fair allocation of housing
3. To end Gerrymandering.
4. To prevent discrimination in the allocation of government jobs.

Question 5

2. What were NICRAs aims (Last 3)

Answer 5

1. To remove special powers act of 1922
2. To Disband the B-specials
3. To Establish a formal complaints procedure against local authorities

Question 6

What were the Catholic responses to NICRA

Answer 6

• Support came from mainly New Generation Catholics,
  as these were the first to benefit from free education in the 1940s.
• Catholics had a growth in self-confidence.
• Catholics were happy with NICRA as they didn’t like their Nationalist party led by Eddie McAteer as they seemed to only want the ending of the partition.

Question 7

What were the Protestant responses to NICRA

Answer 7

• Liberal Protestants sympathised with some NICRA aims as it would make NI fairer and would undermine demands for a united Ireland.
• But there was also suspicion within Unionist community as they felt its intent was to cause trouble and was only interested in Catholics and would undermine protestant position.

Question 8

When was the first peaceful march in NI

Answer 8

24th of August 1968

Question 9

What was the reason for the march in August between Tyrone and Dungannon

Answer 9

• It took place because of the decision made in Dungannon to give a council house in Tyrone to a 19 year old Protestant girl over a Nationalist family

Question 10

When was the second march held

Answer 10

5th of October 1968, March was suggested by Austin Currie (Nationalist Mp)

Question 11

What was the response to the second March in October

Answer 11

Unionist Apprentice Boys threatened a rival march

Question 12

What was the response to this rival march

Answer 12

The Stormont government banned the holding of any marches East of the River Foyle or within the historic walls.

Question 13

Did NICRA go by this ban of marches

Answer 13

No

Question 14

How did NICRA worsen the situation of NI and cause violence

Answer 14

• As the marches were seen as proactive especially through Protestant areas
• NICRA marches were coming into contact with Unionist counter demonstrations.

Question 15

Why was the Five-Point reform programme introduced

Answer 15

it was introduced as a result of increased violence

Question 16

When was the Reform announced and when was it to commence

Answer 16

November 22nd and to be set in place by the end of 1971

Question 17

What were the 5 main proposals of the Reform

Answer 17

1. The allocation of Council housing through a points system
2. The replacement of a Derry Corporation with a development commission.
3. The removal of parts of the Special power act of 1922.
4. Reforms within local government including the end of extra votes for business owners.
5. The appointments of an Ombudsman to investigate complaints

Question 18

What were other problems that NI faced after protests stopped

Answer 18

• The reforms upset Unionists who opposed Concessions to the threat of violence and felt their position was under threat.
• O’Neill faced opposition from his own party with home affairs minister William Craig who was later fired.

Question 19

Was NICRA effective

Answer 19

NICRA needs being achieved would suggest it was effective

Question 20

What were the reasons for the emergence of the peoples democracy

Answer 20

This group formed out of anger at the violence that NICRA faced and the desire to disrupt Stormont administration

Question 21

What were the people democracy demands

Answer 21

• One man one vote
• Fair boundaries
• Houses on need
• Jobs on merit
• Free speech
• Repeal of the special powers act

Question 22

What happened between the 1st and the 4th of January 1969

Answer 22

Ambush at Burntollet

Question 23

What happened during the Ambush at Burntollet

Answer 23

• As the march went through Protestant areas it forced police to enforce different routes to avoid confrontation.
• On the third day violence started as the marchers were the target of an ambush at Burntollet Bridge, Police did little to deflect.
• Later in the night police in Derry rampaged through Nationalist areas.

Question 24

What were the responses to the Ambush

Answer 24

• NICRA called off its marches in response to O’Neills reforms but started to march again created violence.
• O’Neill established the Cameron Commission to investigate increased violence.
• Faulkners opinion on O’Neills lack of strength gained support.
• O’Neill called general election called “Crossroads election” to prove public opinion was behind his motions to modernise NI.

Question 25

When did the crossroads election take place

Answer 25

24th of February 1969

Question 26

What were the reasons for the downfall of O’Neill

Answer 26

• There was reduction in Unionist support and increased division in loyalty of the UUP Mps elected.
• There was little evidence for the support from Catholic voters.
• O’Neill never faced an opponent which was Ian Paisley

Question 27

When did O’Neill resign

Answer 27

28th of April 1969

Question 28

What was the last reason for the downfall of O’Neill

Answer 28

A series of Bombings that were seemed to be the work of the IRA but was a Loyalist attack to force O’Neill out.

Question 29

Who was O’Neill succeeded by

Answer 29

He was succeeded by his cousin Major James Chichester-Clark who resigned from the government less thank a week before the council elections in protest of O’Neills introduction of One man One vote