O'Neill's First Years

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What were O'Neill's aims?
1. Improve the economy 2. Improve relations within NI 3. Improve relations with the South
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Why did he want these changes?
1. Serious unemployment issue in NI 2. He believed it would make Nationalists feel part of NI and he was less hostile than Lord Brookeborough 3. He believed both areas could benefit from trade links
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What economic policies did O'Neill introduce?
1. Creation of the Ministry of Development 2. £900m was invested in the economy 3. Modernise the railway system 4. Co-operation with the Dublin-based Irish Trades Union Congress 5. The establishment of an economic council under Brian Faulkner
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What economic policies did O'Neill introduce? (Cont.)
6. Development of a new University in Coleraine 7.Establishment of the new city Craigavon
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Why did O'Neill want to improve the economy?
1. He believed it offered the best prospect of change 2. It would help transform NI's image 3. NI's industry lagged behind the rest of the UK 4. Major industries like linen needed modernised 5.High levels of unemployment 6. Shortage of housing
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Why did O'Neill want to improve the economy? (Cont.)
7. NI needed foreign investment 8. New industries were needed to attract investment 9.A lack of training 10.Needed a better transport system 11.Youth moved to Britain 12.Competition from Scandinavia
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What was the Unionist reaction to these policies?
They welcomed the changes as a whole as they all resulted in improvements fro Protestants. They were slightly suspect at the co-operation with the Irish Congress of Trades Union
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What was the Nationalist reaction to these policies?
They believed they were only aimed at Protestants as they were mostly East of the Bann. There were angry that the new city was also East of the Bann and named after William Craig. They were upset the new University wasn't in Derry.
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What was O'Neill's 2-pronged political strategy?
Extend the hand of friendship to both Northern Nationalists and to the Republic
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When did O'Neill meet An Taoiseach Sean Lemass at Stormont?
14th January 1965. 4 weeks later he made the return visit and it was announced that NI and the ROI would co-operate
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When did O'Neill meet with An Taoiseach Jack Lynch
December 1967
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Why was O'Neill concerned with Nationalists in NI?
-He took a less hostile approach than his predecessor -He wanted to be more inclusive so they felt a part of NI -He wanted to end discrimination -He wanted to take religion out of politics -He hoped it would positively effect the economy
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How did O'Neill improve life for Nationalists in NI?
-Visited the Archbishop of Armagh -Offered official condolences over Pope John XXIII's death -Visited Catholic schools -Visited Mater Hospital (which was Catholic)
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How did O'Neill improve life for Nationals in NI? (Cont.)
-Increased financial support for Catholic schools and hospitals -UVF was made illegal in 1966 -5 Point Programme was introduced in 1968
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What areas angered Nationalists?
-Calling the new city after the first NI PM -All places except Derry earmarked for economic development were Protestant areas -Unemployment was worse West of the Bann -the new University wasn't in Derry
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Why was there opposition in O'Neill's party?
~Many Unionists feared the changes reform might bring ~O'Neill did not tell many members about his meeting with Lemass ~Rev. Ian Paisley led opposition to any links with the South -However, the OUP won well in the 1965 GE
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How did the situation deteriorate in 1966?
It was the 50th Anniversaries of both the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme. The UVF re-emerged and killed 2 Catholics. They were then banned but many of his party were turning against him and Paisley's popularity increased
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Why was there Nationalist upset?
They had initially supported O'Neill and had high hopes but his promised better future wasn't appearing. With Unionist discontent O'Neill failed to carry out his promises
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Why did he want these changes?

Back

1. Serious unemployment issue in NI 2. He believed it would make Nationalists feel part of NI and he was less hostile than Lord Brookeborough 3. He believed both areas could benefit from trade links

Card 3

Front

What economic policies did O'Neill introduce?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What economic policies did O'Neill introduce? (Cont.)

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Why did O'Neill want to improve the economy?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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