Transcript
Emergence of Northern Ireland Civil Rights Movement
Background
Influenced by American Civil Rights movement in USA & student protests across Europe
Discrimination felt by the minority Catholic population
A push for a “One man, One Vote” system
Discrimination in the allocation of housing in the local councils
‘Gerrymandering’ used by Unionists to secure Unionist domination of councils in majority Nationalist areas
Coleraine University Controversy: “spark that ignited Civil Rights Movement” (John Hume)
East – West economic divide (River Bann)
Terence O’Neill
O’Neill (Prime Minister from 1963 – 1969) attempted to improve relations between Catholics & Protestants
Invited Lemass (Taoiseach of the Republic) to Belfast & travelled to Dublin to meet him
Caused outrage amongst hard-line Unionists (Paisley) and UUP members (Craig & Faulkner)
Beginning of Civil Rights Movement
1968 – Emergence of strong Civil Rights movement made up of socialists, students, activists, nationalists, republicans and even unionists. Many of these were young, well-educated idealists who had taken advantage of the Education Act 1949
Adopted a policy of ‘civil disobedience’ as their strategy
Emergence of key individuals e.g. John Hume
Attempt to move focus away from traditional Unionist-Nationalist, Protestant-Catholic divide to secure equal rights for all citizens of UK
Unionists stiffened in their opposition to growing Civil Rights activism
RUC & Northern Ireland Government
RUC predominantly Protestant
Sectarian divide: RUC protecting Apprentice Boys’ marches, clashing with predominantly-Nationalist Civil Rights marches
Northern Ireland Government interpreted marches as a Nationalist plot
Accusations of IRA influence
Unionist Perspective
Interpreted Civil Rights marches as an attack on the State; therefore and attack on ‘Majority Rule’ Unionism
Stiffened Unionist rhetoric and polarised many parts of Northern Irish society
The Caledon Protest: 20th June 1968
Austin Currie occupied a house that was to be given to an unmarried Protestant woman who was secretary to a local Unionist councillor while 250 people with families were on a waiting list. Protest against unfair allocation of housing brought to an end by RUC.
Civil Rights March (1) 24th August 1968
2,000 people marched from Coalisland to Dungannon in protest at lack of civil rights. Two main groups involved were Campaign for Social Justice & Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association. (NICRA)
Loyalists organised a counter-demonstration.
RUC had to divide and separate the two protests.
Protest at Guildhall, Derry: 27th August 1968
100 protestors occupy the Guildhall Chamber in protest at housing allocation.
Organised by the Derry Housing Action Committee (DHAC) and the Labour Party
Protest removed by RUC
Civil Rights March (2): 5th October 1968
2nd major Civil Rights protest
Held to demand changes in housing, employment and voting system of local elections
Organised by the DHAC & NICRA
Apprentice Boys announced they would march on same day
All marches banned by Stormont Government on 5th October 1968
Civil Rights Protest decided to go ahead – clashed with RUC and baton-charged by RUC
Often cited as the beginning of the ‘Troubles’
Peoples’ Democracy March: 9th October 1968
2,000 students marched from Queen’s University to City Hall
Ian Paisley held a demonstration on same day at City Hall
Students formed a ‘sit-down’ protest at Linenhall Street where the RUC cordoned them off
Peoples’ Democracy formed from this protest
Derry Citizens Action Committee: 2nd November 1968
Civil Rights March (3): 16th November 1968
15,000 march behind Derry Citizens Action Committee (DCAC)
After being halted, one of the leaders of the protest, Ivan Cooper, proclaimed through a loudspeaker: “We wish to inform Mr William Craig and the police that we are marching in the name of civil rights. This is our city. Anyone has the right to march in it and we are taking that right.”
Protestors singing “We Shall Overcome” & “Craig out”
These are just some of the most important marches involved in the Civil Rights Movement of the late 1960’s. Concentrate on the most important parts of the origins and demands of NICRA; housing, employment, ‘one man, one vote’ protests etc.
Also, make sure to underline John Hume’s role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Examine how the Northern Ireland Government was affected by the Civil Rights Movement and how Unionists viewed it.
Don’t forget to mention the Coleraine University Controversy: “spark that ignited the Civil Rights Movement” (John Hume)
