Downing Street Declaration Flashcards
(15 cards)
What two positive developments occurred after the 1985 agreement didn’t stop paramilitary violence
SDLP leader Hume held secret talks with the Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adam’s to make a peace deal
British government held secret talks with republicans
What were 5 factors that made the 1993 Downing Street declaration possible
- failure of the 1985 agreement to stop paramilitary violence
- Gerry Adams’ acceptance of the principle of consent
- Mary Robinson’s election of Irish president
- Hume-Adam’s initiative
- secret talks between British govt and PIRA
How did the continuation of paramilitary violence after the failure of the 1985 agreement help the 1993 agreement get signed
For example in 1993, IRA set a bomb in Warrington england, killed 2 pp
And 9 innocent civilians were bombed in a fish shop on the shankill road. This sickened people and they demanded change
How did Gerry adams’ acceptance of the principal of consent help the 1993 deal get signed
He finally accepted that the unionists will need to be in favour for a United ireland
How did Mary Robinson becoming the Irish president help get the 1993 deal get sign3d
Her priority for NI was to obtain peace and justice in NI
What was the HUME-ADAMS initiative and how did it help get the 1993 deal signed
Both men believed political tactics might be the way forward to find a peaceful solution, they also both accepted that United ireland won’t be obtained by forcing it upon unionists but unionists must accept nationalists want one
How did the secret talks between the British government and PIRA help get the 1993 deal get signed
Talks were confirmed in November 1993 and showed both sides wanted violence to end
Who signed the Downing Street declaration in 1993
British PM Major and Irish PM Reynolds
Terms of 1993 agreement (United ireland, United ireland, 1937 constitution, Britain control)
Britain agree that a United ireland would be result of majority in favour of N and S Ireland
Republic agree that United ireland would only occur after majority vote in favour in N and S Ireland
Republic agree that 1937 constitution which claimed control over Ni would have to be changed
Britain remain in control of NI although the government had said in 1990 that in no selfish, strategic or economic interest remaining in the country
DUP’s reaction to 1993 agreement
Felt it favoured nationalists
Sinn Féin’s reaction to 1993 agreement
Would lead to United ireland
UUP reaction to 1993 agreement
Unhappy as unionists could veto a unites Ireland
When did the PIRA announce a ceasefire
August 31, 1994
When did loyalist paramilitaries announce a ceasefire
October 13 1994
What political parties represented loyalist paramilitaries
PUP AND UUP
