The Sunningdale Agreement Flashcards
(27 cards)
What was Whitelaw looking for?
For possible avenues to re-establish government in Northern Ireland following the introduction of direct rule
What was the name of the documents produced by Whitelaw?
‘The future of Northern Ireland’
What ideas did the ‘Future of Northern’ include?
The ideas of power-sharing + council of Ireland
How did Whitelaw look to reassure Unionists that the union would not be broken?
By holding a referendum on the border on the 8th of March 1973
What was the referendum called?
The Border Poll
What happened when the referendum was held?
Nationalists boycotted it, whilst Unionists turned out in huge numbers
What did the referendum represent?
Unionist opposition (99% voted for NI to remain part of Britain)
What did the White paper guarantee?
It guaranteed that NI would remain as part of the UK, should the majority want it
What did the Whitepaper propose?
Proposed a new assembly (parliament) in Ireland
What is power-sharing?
Where all political parties are represented
What would the new government (in NI) deal with?
Internal issues such as housing + healthcare
What would the government in London deal with?
Policing/legal system (very controversial/contenscious issues)
What Unionist group was established to resist power-sharing + the establishment of a Council of Ireland?
The United Ulster Unionist Council (UUUC)
Why was the United Ulster Unionist Council established to do?
To resist power-sharing + the establishment of a Council of Ireland
What did The Council of Ireland encourage?
Co-operation between the North and South of Ireland
What happened when the Sunningdale Agreement was announced?
-A meeting was called by the Ulster Council
-motion opposing the Council of Ireland was passed
What was Brian Faulkner forced to do following the announcement and motion?
To resign as leader of the Unionist Party
Why was Faulkner forced to resign?
Because he supported the Sunningdale Agreement
Why was the workforce of important industries almost all Protestant?
Because of systematic discrimination
What was the Ulster Workers Council?
A loyalist section of the workforce
What did the UWC suggest to oppose the Sunningdale Agreement + power-sharing?
A strike
Who became involved in the strikes?
Loyalist paramilitary groups
What did the loyalist paramilitary groups establish?
-Roadblocks
- sent men into factories to ‘suggest’ they close
What happened to the electricity?
It was cut by strikers
