The Anglo-Irish Agreement

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When and where was the Anglo-Irish agreement signed?
The Anglo-Irish agreement was signed by Margaret Thatcher and the Taoiseach Garrett Fitzgerald in Hillsborough castle on 15th November 1985
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Why was it important?
It was seen at the time to be the most significant development in the relationship between Britain and Ireland since partition in 1920
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Why was it signed?
-It was an attempt by both govts. to bring justice, peace and tolerance to NI -Thatcher was worried about the security problem in NI after the Brighton bomb -Fear that SF would overtake the SDLP, making it more difficult to have peace
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What were the main terms of the agreement?
-It represented a compromise between both govts.; Dublin officially recognised the legitimacy of NI and London agreed to confer with the ROI govt. on matters which concerned northern Nationalists
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What were the main terms of the agreement? (Cont.)
-The British govt. recognised the republic's right to make proposals on matters relating to NI -The republic recognised a united Ireland was a long-term aim which could only come about with the approval of the majority in NI
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What were the main terms of the agreement? (Cont..)
-Both govts. agreed to make NI a place where everyone could live in peace, free from discrimination -They agreed to an inter-governmental conference which would meet regularly to discuss political, legal and security matters -Review this after 3 yrs
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What were the 3 main factors of Unionists opposition?
1. Unionist political leaders were excluded from the formal negotiations leading to the AIA. Future president Mary Robinson resigned from the labour party in the ROI
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What were the 3 main factors of Unionist opposition? (Cont.)
2. The Irish govt. were given a consultative role in the affairs of NI for the first time. They perceived this as threatening NI's place in the UK.
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What were the 3 main factors of Unionist opposition? (Cont..)
3. Unionists were excluded from the levers of power until they accepted a devolved powersharing regime
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What did this Unionist opposition lead to?
-Mass protest rallies were organised under the campaign 'Ulster says NO' -Over 100,000 people gathered in Belfast on 23 Nov to hear protest speeches
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What other Unionist reactions were there?
-Both Unionist parties resigned their seats in the House of Commons and suspended district council meetings in protest
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What other Unionist reactions were there? (Cont.)
-Loyalist paramilitary groups increased their attacks on Catholics and targeted RUC officers between March and May 1986
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What other Unionist reactions were there? (Cont..)
-The paramilitary group Ulster Resistance was set up to take direct action against the Agreement when required -A 'Day of Action' was organised for 3rd March 1986
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What other Unionist reactions were there? (Cont...)
-Only the Alliance party did not out-right condemn the Agreement -By the middle of 1987 Unionist opposition began to dwindle as they had been ignored by the British government
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What was the Nationalist reaction?
-The SDLP supported the agreement. They had played a large part in creating it. -It was viewed as a new beginning and they were happy the Dublin govt. got a say in the running of NI
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What was the Nationalist reaction? (Cont.)
-Extreme nationalists such as SF and the IRA condemned it as a 'sell-out' which reinforced partition -The IRA were prepared to continue their campaign of violence
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Card 2

Front

Why was it important?

Back

It was seen at the time to be the most significant development in the relationship between Britain and Ireland since partition in 1920

Card 3

Front

Why was it signed?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What were the main terms of the agreement?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What were the main terms of the agreement? (Cont.)

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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