Direct Rule and Power-sharing

?
What was direct rule and when was it introduced?
The British govt. called talks with the NI govt. and asked for power over law & order and security in NI. The NI govt. refused to accept this so on 24th March 1972, Heath suspended Stormont for a year (which was later extended)
1 of 24
What was direct rule? (Cont.)
A team of ministers would run NI from Westminster led by the Secretary of State, the first of whom was William Whitelaw.
2 of 24
Why was Direct rule introduced?
-The increase of violence at the start of 1972 -Bloody Sunday exposed Stormont's inability to control NI -Unionist domination was hard to justify -Clash over security and law & order
3 of 24
What was the Unionist response to the introduction of Direct Rule?
+Mostly opposed it +huge demonstration outside Stormont in last hours of unionist rule +Strikes and shutdowns for a 2-day period +sectarian murders by Loyalists in Belfast +Support for DUP and paramilitaries like the UDA increased
4 of 24
What was the Nationalist response to the introduction of Direct Rule?
+Many were pleased as it brought an end to unionist domination +IRA opposed it; saw it as Britain controlling a country to which it had no legal right +IRA announced it would continue with its armed struggle although there was a short-lived ceasefire
5 of 24
What was power-sharing?
Britain insisted that agreement had to be reached on how NI should be governed. They announced plans for an Assembly in which Nationalists and Unionists would share power
6 of 24
What was the Unionist reaction to power-sharing?
~Faulkner, leader of the UUP, agreed to take part but promised to never share power with a party who's sole intention was to break the union with Britain ~Other Unionists totally opposed it and joined the Vanguard Unionist Party instead
7 of 24
What problems did the executive face after the membership was agreed in Nov 1973?
-Politicians opposed to power-sharing were not consulted about the new system -Nationalists were concerned about the amount of Unionist seats; if they voted together their built in majority would destroy opposition -The ROI's role wasn't defined
8 of 24
What happened at Sunningdale?
-A conference was held in Sunningdale before the executive took office to discuss NI's future relations with ROI -Delegations from Britain, ROI and NI all took part -Heath, Cosgrove (the Taoiseach) and the exec. leaders took part -Opposition didn't
9 of 24
What was agreed in the Sunningdale Agreement?
-All agreed that a power-sharing executive was the way forward -But it proved hard to agree on the 'Irish Dimension' -A Council of Ireland was finally agreed upon
10 of 24
What was the Council of Ireland?
The council of Ireland would have 7 representatives from each part of Ireland and would work to improve conditions on the island
11 of 24
What did the different views on Sunningdale Agreement mean?
+Faulkner saw the council of Ireland as an advisory body to improve economic relations in Ireland +Hume and the SDLP saw it as a way to increase links with the republic
12 of 24
What did the different views on the Sunningdale Agreement mean? (Cont.)
+British politicians saw it as a way to encourage Nationalists to be more involved in NI +Southern delegates saw it as a way to improve relations with NI and perhaps to lay foundations for a reunified Ireland
13 of 24
What problems did the new Executive face?
-Some members found it difficult to work with other parties -Supporters feared their interests would be sacrificed to make powersharing work -It was heavily criticised by Unionists who opposed it -Parties opposed to Sunningdale joined forces
14 of 24
What problems did the new Executive face? (Cont.)
-Britain was responsible for NI's security but the exec. was still blamed for not stopping the violence -The Irish govt. didn't officially recognise Ni or introduce extradition (meaning criminals would be brought back for trial) -Opinions on COI
15 of 24
What happened with the 1974 General Election?
>11 out of 12 seats for NI were won by anti-Sunningdale parties >Opposition argued this proved the views of the people >They called for new elections to the NI assembly
16 of 24
Why did Unionist opposition increase?
-There was a Labour govt. in Britain again. They were less supportive of the Union -A fresh IRA campaign in March and April -The Sunningdale agreement was creating a lot of Unionist opposition
17 of 24
What was the UWC strike?
-A group of protestant trade unionists who had political and paramilitary support set up a strike against Sunningdale -It brought NI to a standstill in a week -After Wilson called them 'spongers' in his speech the strike intensified
18 of 24
What was the UWC strike? (Cont.)
-The army was hesisitant to intervene as they saw it as political, not terrorist action -The British and SDLP refused to negotiate with the strikers
19 of 24
What were the reasons for the fall of Powersharing?
Disagreement among Unionists almost immediately: -While Faulkner Unionists supported it, those who opposed it called themselves the UUUC. This divide was worsened by the elections to the executive which showed just under 1/2 supported it
20 of 24
What were the reasons for the fall of Powersharing?
The Sunningdale Agreement: -The anti-powersharing unionists weren't invited, intensifying their opposition -Interpretations of role of the COI -1974 election showed 11/12 MPs were anti-Sunningdale
21 of 24
What were the reasons for the fall of Powersharing? (Cont.)
Developments in Britain: -The election meant a new govt. but Labour had a small majority so the Secretary of State had to focus on Westminster and couldn't give the exec. the attention it needed
22 of 24
What were the reasons for the fall of Powersharing? (Cont.)
UWC strike: -Brought NI to a standstill -Army inaction -British and SDLP wouldn't negotiate with them -Westminster govt. did nothing and put pressure on the powersharing exec. -Faulkner resigned
23 of 24
What were the 2 other attempts at peace and when were they begun?
The Constitutional Convention was in 1975 and the Peace People were 1976
24 of 24

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What was direct rule? (Cont.)

Back

A team of ministers would run NI from Westminster led by the Secretary of State, the first of whom was William Whitelaw.

Card 3

Front

Why was Direct rule introduced?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What was the Unionist response to the introduction of Direct Rule?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What was the Nationalist response to the introduction of Direct Rule?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History resources:

The NEP
See all History resources »See all Changing Relations in NI: 1963-1998 resources »