Northern Ireland 1965 -1998 Flashcards
(11 cards)
What were Terence O’Neill’s key policies as Prime Minister in the 1960s?
• Invested £900 million to modernise the NI economy (factories, health, education).
• Visited Seán Lemass (Taoiseach of the Republic) in 1965 — first meeting since partition; aimed at improving North-South relations.
• Modernised hospital infrastructure and tried to improve Catholic-Protestant relations.
• Introduced five Economic Zones to tackle unemployment and attract industry.
• New university of coleraine the create a skilled workforce for the future
• Faced fierce unionist opposition, especially from Rev. Ian Paisley, who saw reforms as a threat to unionist dominance.
• His leadership was seen as too moderate, and he resigned in 1969 after increasing unrest and resistance from within his own party.
What were the five Economic Zones introduced by O’Neill and how effective were they?
• Growth Zones: Focused on Belfast; aimed to enhance existing success by building infrastructure.
• Development Zones: Towns like Craigavon targeted for new industries; some investment, but many plans (like Craigavon as a ‘new city’) failed.
• Intermediate Zones: Received only modest support — not poor enough for major aid, but didn’t thrive.
• Deprivation Zones: Areas west of the River Bann (e.g. Derry, Tyrone) were largely neglected. Catholic-majority areas felt abandoned, fuelling nationalist anger and support for civil rights.
• Significance: The zoning system highlighted growing inequality and was a factor in rising civil unrest.
What were the key reasons for the rise of the Civil Rights Movement in Northern Ireland in the 1960s?
• Housing discrimination: Catholics in towns like Dungannon denied access to new housing by unionist-run councils.
• Voting inequality: Only ratepayers could vote in local elections — wealthier Protestants had more influence.
• Gerrymandering: In Derry, despite a nationalist majority, electoral boundaries ensured unionist control of the council.
• Inspired by Martin Luther King’s movement in the US.
• Formed groups like NICRA (1967) to protest peacefully; demanded “One man, one vote” and end to discrimination in housing and jobs.
Why was internment introduced in August 1971 and what were its effects?
• Cause: British government wanted to reduce rising violence, especially from the Provisional IRA.
• Policy: Suspected terrorists imprisoned without trial; over 1,400 people detained, 95% were Catholic.
• Consequence: Increased hostility between nationalist communities and the British Army; internment viewed as one-sided and unjust.
• Significance: Led to protests, marches, and strengthened IRA recruitment — it backfired badly.
What happened on Bloody Sunday and what was its impact?
• Event: On 30 January 1972, British Parachute Regiment opened fire on unarmed civil rights marchers in Derry.
• Casualties: 13 civilians killed on the day; another died later. All were unarmed.
• Consequence: International condemnation of the British Army; IRA support grew dramatically.
• Aftermath: Stormont suspended, and Direct Rule from London imposed in March 1972.
What was the Sunningdale Agreement and why did it fail?
• Created a power-sharing Executive between unionists and nationalists in 1973.
• Included a Council of Ireland, allowing the Republic a consultative role.
• Opposed by many unionists, who feared it was a step toward a united Ireland.
• In May 1974, the Ulster Workers’ Council Strike brought the province to a standstill.
• The Executive collapsed after just 5 months — showed deep unionist resistance to compromise.
What were the aims and outcomes of the 1981 Hunger Strikes?
• Republican prisoners in Maze Prison wanted Special Category Status (political prisoner rights).
• Bobby Sands elected MP during the strike — a huge propaganda victory.
• 10 prisoners died, including Sands.
• Significance: Sparked global attention and sympathy for the republican cause.
• Sinn Féin began contesting elections, starting their shift from armed struggle to political action.
What were the terms and reactions to the Anglo-Irish Agreement?
• Signed by Thatcher and FitzGerald in 1985 at Hillsborough Castle.
• Gave Republic of Ireland consultative role on Northern Ireland affairs via the Intergovernmental Conference.
• Aimed to improve security and reduce nationalist alienation.
• Unionist reaction: Fierce opposition — 100,000 protestors at Belfast City Hall; unionist MPs resigned en masse.
• Formed Ulster Resistance in response; deepened political divisions.
Why did the PIRA and Loyalist paramilitaries declare ceasefires in 1994?
• PIRA (31 Aug 1994): Believed there was a “chance of progress” after Downing Street Declaration (1993) and pressure from Sinn Féin leaders.
• Loyalists (13 Oct 1994): Ceasefire followed reassurances that Northern Ireland would remain in the UK if the majority wanted it.
• Significance: Marked a shift to peaceful politics; led to negotiations and peace talks with both governments.
What were the main outcomes of the Good Friday Agreement?
• Established a Northern Ireland Assembly and power-sharing Executive.
• Created North-South Ministerial Council and British-Irish Council.
• Republic agreed to remove territorial claim (Articles 2 & 3).
• All major paramilitary groups agreed to decommission weapons.
• Supported in referenda: 71% in NI, 94% in the Republic.
• Marked the start of a new era of peace and political cooperation.
How did unionists respond to the Anglo-Irish Agreement?
• Mass protest: Over 100,000 at Belfast City Hall, led by Ian Paisley.
• Political response: All unionist MPs resigned and fought by-elections as protest.
• Ulster Resistance founded (1986), opposing any role for the Republic in NI.
• Believed the agreement undermined British sovereignty and favoured nationalism.
