Anglo Irish Agreement Flashcards
(20 cards)
When was the angloirish agreement signed
November 1985
Who signed the Anglo Irish agreement
Garrett Fitzgerald and Margaret thatcher
Why did Margaret thatcher want to sign the agreement
To reduce paramilitary violence. The IRA’S attempt to kill her in 1984 made her realise that unless she dealt with the nationalist alienation in NI she wouldn’t be able to improve security
Why did both governments (constitutional nationalists and British govt) want to weaken Sinn Fein
As they might take over the SDLP and become the principal nationalist party in NI. This could make the agreement harder to get signed in NI, worsen the security and threaten the stability of NI.
Terms of the 1985 agreement (republic, intergovernmental, civil servants, power sharing)
- gave the republic a role in NI’s govt but stated only a United Ireland would come about if majority wanted it.
- intergovernmental conference set up to deal with cross border issues
- civil servants will work for this conference
- future govt of NI would be power sharing
What was a term that should’ve reassured unionists
United ireland would only occur with majority agreement
What terms would please nationalists
Republic given a role in NI’s govt
Future government in NI would be power sharing
What would happen if the agreement worked
The support for sinm fein wouod decrease as SDLP would have got this agreement over the line meaning everyone would vote for SDLP not Sinn Fein
Did the unionists oppose or support the Anglo-Irish agreement
Opposed, felt their own government abandoned them
What did the unionists feared the Anglo-Irish agreement would lead to
United ireland
What annoyed the unionists the most about the Anglo-Irish agreement
They were in the dark during negotiations , while it looked as though the SDLP had been at least consulted in the process
What was the only non- nationalist party to support the Anglo-Irish agreement
Alliance party
Were the SDLP involved in the creation of the Anglo-Irish agreement
Yes , they had more of a role in the creation of the agreement than any other party in NI. The SDLP were therefore able to view the accord as an opportunity to create a better way of life for all those living in the province
Why did Sinn Fein reject the Anglo-Irish agreement
They argued it made a United Ireland harder to obtain. They said that the Irish government recognised the existence of NI in the agreement and stated a United ireland as a long term aim that would only happen with the consent of the majority in NI.
When did unionists hold a protest rally against the 1985 agreement
Nov 1985, held at Belfast city hall, 100,000 people. Crowd addresses by James Molyneaux the OUP leader and rev Ian paisley.
What was the unionist “day of action”
In protest unionists had a day of action on March 1986. Much of the province was brought to a standstill due to peaceful protests. Although in a number of places protests resulted in violence
What did the unionists launch in protest of the 1985 agreement
Campaign of civil disobedience. Measures included: The refusal to set rates in unionist council areas and a boycott of Westminster
Who did loyalist paramilitaries target in protest of the 1985 agreement
The RUC as they were essential in the success of the agreement
What was set up in November 1986 in protest of the 1985 agreement
The ulster resistance, a paramilitary organisation
Did all of the unionists tactics to take down the 1985 agreements like rallies, day of action, civil disobedience and loyalist paramilitaries work?
No as the tactics had no impact. The absence of 14 MPs out of 650 wasn’t noticed at Westminster and local councils had little power as it was.
