Civil Rights

?
When was NICRA formed and what does it stand for?
1967. It stands for Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association
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Why was NICRA founded?
-Discrimination towards Catholics in housing, voting and jobs -Due to the 1947 education act, a new educated middle class catholic group made their way to the forefront. They could see the discrimination and chose to protest peacefully
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Why was NICRA founded? (Cont.)
-They were inspired by the Black Civil rights movement in the US -They were also influenced by the student demonstrations in France -They were upset about the lack of development in the West
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Why was NICRA founded? (Cont..)
-They had little confidence in the Nationalist party at Stormont -Catholics wanted real change, not the gestures O'Neill was giving them
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What were NICRA's 7 aims?
1. One man, one vote 2. End to gerrymandering 3. Fair allocation of council housing 4.Prevent discrimination in the allocation of gotv. jobs, civil service and the judiciary
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What were NICRA's 7 aims? (Cont.)
5. Remove the Special Powers act 6.Disband the B-Specials 7. Establish a formal complaints system
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What happened at the housing protest on 5th October?
The march was due to travel from the waterside to the city centre via the Craigavon bridge. To respond, the Apprentice Boys organised their own rival march. Stormont banned holding any march within the city walls or East of the Foyle.
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What happened at the housing protest on 5th October? (Cont.)
However, the march organisers rejected this and although the crowd was quite small, they had 4 Westminster MPs and an RTE camera crew. The police attacked them to break up the rally and it was caught on camera
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What did the govt. do in response?
O'Neill and his colleagues were called to Westminster to talk with the PM Harold Wilson on 4th November. The outcome was a reform programme, and the main proposals were to be put in place by 1971.
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What did O'Neill's 5 Point Reform Programme entail?
1. The allocation of council housing on a points system 2. The replacement of the Londonderry Corporation with a development commission 3. Removal of certain parts of the Special Powers act
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What did O'Neill's 5 Point Reform Programme entail? (Cont.)
4. Reforms within local government, including the ending of extra votes 5. Appointment of an ombudsman.
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What were reactions to the reform programme like?
-While it didn't deliver all of NICRA's aims, it seemed to point towards a better future -Counter protests continued -O'Neill's crossroads speech
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What was the Crossroads Speech and how did people react?
O'Neill appeared on TV and appealed for for NICRA's leaders to give reform a chance. NICRA called off all future street protests but there was opposition in his own party.
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How did Nationalists react?
Many nationalists were not happy at NICRA's decision to halt action and give reform a chance. They believed the protests should continue
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How did Unionists react?
Many were unhappy with the concessions given to nationalists and viewed it as a betrayal to Unionism. Opposition was growing
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Who were the People's Democracy?
They were a group of mainly university students who were unhappy at the violence faced my NICRA. They had broadly the same views but refused to give the 5 Point reform programme a chance.
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What happened at their January march?
They planned a march from Belfast to Derry which was condemned by NICRA who feared it would impact the already tense situation. the march went ahead as planned and travelled through many Protestant areas forcing the police to enforce different routes
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What happened at their January march? (Cont.)
The marchers were ambushed on the 3rd day of the march at Burntollet Bridge by the public and some say even off duty police officers. The marchers were stoned and beaten and the police did little to deflect the violence.
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What were the results of this?
NICRA began marching again; their first march in Newry ended in violence - O'Neill established the Cameron commission to investigate the violence
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What opposition did O'Neill face within his party?
- 2 cabinet ministers resigned in opposition to O'Neill, including Brian Faulkner -12 OUP MPs called for his resignation -However, O'Neill ignored this and called for an election
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Why did O'Neill resign?
-12 OUP MPS called for his resignation -2 cabinet ministers resigned in objection to him -He couldn't stop the biased police force -His reform programme didn't work -People began supporting Paisley -The increase of violence with civil rights marchers
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Why did O'Neill resign? (Cont.)
-NICRA had begun marching again -He couldn't fulfill promises to Catholics -He was losing support with in his party -He barely won the crossroads election
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Why was NICRA founded?

Back

-Discrimination towards Catholics in housing, voting and jobs -Due to the 1947 education act, a new educated middle class catholic group made their way to the forefront. They could see the discrimination and chose to protest peacefully

Card 3

Front

Why was NICRA founded? (Cont.)

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Why was NICRA founded? (Cont..)

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What were NICRA's 7 aims?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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