THE ROAD TO THE TROUBLES :
} O’NEILL suggests there may be reforms – raises the hopes of the Catholic/Nationalist community and causes fear and anger amongst the Protestant/Unionist community.
} In 1966 the UVF emerged in Belfast in response to celebrations of the Easter Rising. They killed a woman and two men, all Catholics in a two month period.
} CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT :
} 1963 : The Mc Cluskeys set up the HCL in Dungannon to fight against discrimination in housing.
} 1964 : This is expanded in 1964 and called the CSJNI , aim was to campaign peacefully for reform and full Civil Rights. – letter writing to Westminster MPs – Harold Wilson (Labour leader) – no help when in power
} New generation of educated Catholics get involved in the Civil Rights movement.
} 1966 – Gerry Fitt first non Unionist elected to Westminster.
} 1967 – The NICRA was set up.
} It had 5 main aims
} 1) One person one vote
} 2) An end to gerrymandering
} 3) Repeal of the Special Powers Act.
} 4) An end to the B-Specials
} 5) Laws against discrimination.
It was inspired by the American Civil Rights movement, it focused on achieving equal rights within the UK rather than demanding an end to partition.
} 1968 Summer – Caledon (Dungannon) – the council denied a house to two Catholic families instead prefering a 19 year old unmarried mother. AUSTIN CURRIE protests and occupied the house. He was evicted by the RUC but the incident was widely reported and a protest rally was organised days later.
} August 1968 : NICRA march , Coalisland – Dungannon – 1st civil rights march – 2,000 – Pailsey organised 1500 loyalists to march against them – pattern of demonstration and counter demonstration.
} DHAC invites the NICRA to hold another march IN Derry on the 5th October.
} The march is banned by Willaim Craig (Minister for Home Affairs) when the apprentice boys arrange a march for the same day.
} Gerry Fitt MP was there with some invited MPs from England.
} The RUC overreact and attack the marchers. Fitt is injured – the police baton charge the crowd – riots break out – all captured on film and broadcast around the world.
Civil Rights Movement gained international attention and support. Shamed the British government into paying attention to Northern Ireland and the discrimination and injustice that had been allowed to grow and develop
} O’NEILL was summoned to London and instructed to introduce reforms.Craig refused to support him – O’Neill sacked him and introduced some reforms NOV.1968. including
} 1) Independent commission to replace Derry Corporation.
} 2) Ombudsman appointed :
} 3) Points system for Housing.
} 4) Local election voting changes.
} However : O’Neill would not grant “one person one vote” as it would split the Unionist Party.
} The Civil Rights Movement demanded “one person one vote”
} O’Neill’s reforms angered the Unionists and failed to satisfy the Nationalists.
} Dec 1968 – Wilson declared “one person one vote” must be the policy in N-Ireland.
} JAN 1969 – People’s Democracy march – Belfast – Derry. Attacked at Burntollet Bridge by hundreds of Loyalists including B-Specials.
} 2am that morning – police carried out attacks on people in the bogside – assault and damage to property.
} Next day – FREE DERRY – vigilante groups were set up to patrol and keep the RUC out.
} ELECTION in FEB 1969 – Bad results for O’Neill – resigns in APRIL – May – CHICHESTER CLARKE takes over.
} AUGUST 1969 – Tension in Derry – build up to the Apprentice Boys parade 12th August.
} Nationalists tried to have it called off.
} Rioting began early the day of the march – petrol bombs – CS Gas – BATTLE OF THE BOGSIDE – 3 Days – Lynch “we cannot stand idly by” – Field Hospitals.
} The British Army are called in to calm the situation - the police were overstretched and exhausted. They took over security control in the city.
} FURTHER REFORMS : Chichester- Clarke was forced to make more reforms including.
1) Local Councils elected by PR not first past the post.
2) An English police officer was made Chief Constable of the RUC.
3) The B-Specials were disbanded. (Replaced by the UDR)
Ø However violence continued to flare up and erupt through Northern Ireland. C-C wanted to introduce internment but was refused the right by the British Prime Minister . He resigned in March 71 and was replaced by BRIAN FAULKNER.
Ø In July 1971 two people became the first to be killed by the British Army. Faulkner gets permission to introduce internment mainly to deal with the IRA.
Ø The IRA began a BOMBING CAMPAIGN against ECONOMIC TARGETS.
Ø INTERNMENT A DISASTER :
1) RUC lists of IRA members out of date and incorrect.
2) Most of the IRA leaders escaped.
3) Internment was completely one-sided, not one Loyalist was interned. This turned people against the British army and increased support for the IRA.
Ø Over 2,000 were arrested and held in a prison ship or an old army camp in Long Kesh.
Ø The internees were treated badly – some were beaten, forced to stand for long periods, hooded and not given food or drink.
The PROVISIONAL IRA.
The IRA in the North had been asking for guns and ammunition so that they would be as strong as the Protestant Paramilitaries such as the UVF. They only got unfulfilled promises. They were not in a position to help protect Catholics from attacks, especially during the Battle of the Bogside.
The IRA split in December 1969. A majority at a convention in Dublin voted to recognise the governments of Dublin, Belfast and London and voted to work politically for change. A minority walked out and formed PROVISIONAL IRA which only recognised the 32 county Republic declared in 1916, they pledged to fight in order to achieve this goal. Sinn Fein also split in January 1970.
Now there was :
1) The Official IRA and Official Sinn Fein – wanted to use politics not violence – work with the system of government to change it.
2) The Provisional IRA and Provisional Sinn Fein – dedicated to a 32 county Republic – they would not recognise or work with any other form of government – They were prepared to use violence to work for their goal.
Ø The Provo’s wanted to recruit young men to their ranks – events such as the attacks on the Marches, RUC assaults and the Battle of the Bogside convinced many angry and resentful people to join. Internment drove many more into the arms of the IRA who were happy to use the Anger at such actions and policies as fuel for a violent campaign to try to force the British to pull out of Northern-Ireland.
Ø The events of Bloody Sunday were the greatest recruiting tool the IRA could have wished for.