Topic 1- Definitions

Question 1

What does Unionism mean?

Answer 1

The political idea and movement which seeks to retain and strengthen the political links between Great Britain and Ireland.

Question 2

What does Nationalism mean?

Answer 2

The political idea and movement aimed at securing an independent Irish nation-state.

Question 3

What does Republic mean?

Answer 3

A type of government system with elected and accountable government officials with representative democracy.

Question 4

What does Devolution mean?

Answer 4

The process by which political power is transferred from the political centre to the political periphery (edges).

Question 5

What does Home Rule mean?

Answer 5

This is a form local self-government where certain areas of policy and control are passed to local representatives in a local or regional assembly. Ultimate power remains with the central government on areas such as taxation and foreign relations.

Question 6

What does Culture mean?

Answer 6

Culture is the combination of the shared values, beliefs, ideas and norms of behaviour of a group of people.

Question 7

What does GAA mean?

Answer 7

The Gaelic Athletics Association or in Irish Cumman Luthcleas Gael. This is a sporting and cultural organisation established in Ireland in 1884 with the aim of promoting native Irish games, pastimes and culture.

Question 8

What does the Gaelic League mean?

Answer 8

The Gaelic League or Conradh Na Gaelige was an organisation founded in Ireland in 1893 with the aim of promoting the use of the Irish language and its revival.

Question 9

What does Monarchy mean?

Answer 9

A system of government reliant on hereditary succession where the crown passes from one generation to the next of a particular family.

Question 10

What does Constitution mean?

Answer 10

The set of principle by which a state is governed with especial regard to the rights of the people it governs.

Question 11

What does Direct Rule mean?

Answer 11

The government of Ireland directly from Westminster or London without any local input.

Question 12

What does Democracy mean?

Answer 12

A system of Government based on the beliefs of freedom and equality where political power rests with the people directly or with representatives of the people.

Question 13

What does Executive mean?

Answer 13

The branch of government responsible for the formulation and implementation of policy.

Question 14

What does Constitutional mean?

Answer 14

The pursuit of political objectives in accordance with the constitution.

Question 15

What does Revolutionary mean?

Answer 15

To pursue change of a political, economic or social kind through radical and often violent means.

Question 16

What does Legislature mean?

Answer 16

One of three branches of government. The legislature is the assembly of elected or appointed representatives whose job it is to discuss, debate, examine and vote on laws.

Question 17

What does Orange Order mean?

Answer 17

An organisation founded in 1795 in the aftermath of the battle of the diamond outside Tandragee, county Armagh. The organisation was formed to defend and protect the Protestant faith against attack from Irish Catholics.

Question 18

What does Irish Free State mean?

Answer 18

The twenty six county state formed in the wake of the signing of the Anglo-Irish treaty in December 1921.

Question 19

What does The Act Of Union mean?

Answer 19

The act passed by the British Parliament in 1800 which came into effect on January 1st 1801 which politically joined Great Britain and Ireland. The Irish Parliament was dissolved and Ireland sent 100 MP’s to Westminster instead.

Question 20

What does Sovereignty mean?

Answer 20

The right of a country to control its own government; the legal right to retain control over its own government of legislature, executive and judiciary.

Question 21

What does Partition mean?

Answer 21

The division of Ireland into two separate jurisdictions in 1920 under the provisions of the government of Ireland act. Northern Ireland was a six county state in the north-east of Ulster under British jurisdiction but with a devolved government while the Irish free state was comprised of the other twenty-six counties.

Question 22

What does Northern Ireland mean?

Answer 22

The six county state founded in 1920 as a result of the 1920 government of Ireland act.

Question 23

What does Judiciary mean?

Answer 23

The legal system made up of the courts system and judicial personnel.