Northern Ireland 1920 - 1968

Overview


 * As autonomous Catholic Ireland emerges, Northern Ireland clings to Britain
 * Protestant Ascendancy expanded
 * Industrial roots become stranded on the Island
 * Viability and vitality of the "Statelet" fails
 * Limps on with British aid
 * Emerging secretarian struggle



Founding Principles

 * Northern Ireland was created by the 1920 Government of Ireland Act
 * Some parts of Northern Ireland DID remain part of the Southern Free State
 * Ironically, given status of "Home Rule"
 * Sent 12 MPs to Westminster

Temporary Origins

 * Boundaries were imagined to be temporary
 * Even in the UK, expectation was that Northern Ireland would be absorbed into the Free State

Boundary Worries

 * Craig-Collins Pact -> 1922
 * Cooperation between two Irish Cabinets
 * Form for negotiating boundaries, IRA forces, re-unity politics
 * Overturned by Unionist anger


 * Derry comes from Irish to Oak
 * Londonderry comes from British influence
 * Using Londonderry/Derry is very political:
 * Derry = Ireland
 * Londonderry = British/Union


 * Border technically International, very formal
 * In practice, rather porous


 * Border Commission -> Comes to Nothing
 * Failure ensures the separateness of Northern Ireland

One-Party State & Suffering

 * 2/3 Protestant Majority -> Re-Centers NI on preserving interest of Loyal Ulster
 * Fortress Parliament
 * One-Party System
 * Led by James Viscount Craigavon


 * Condition of self-rule was that they paid their costs first
 * Then they paid for "Imperial Services"


 * Unemployment high (25% during 1930s)
 * Industrial work failed as new industries developed overseas
 * Very poor social conditions (almost Dickensian)

Secretarian Problems

 * Protestants attack Catholics/Civil War after 1921 Constitution
 * 450 Deaths in 1922 in Belfast
 * 2000 Wounded


 * Consequently NI Parliament drafts the Special Powers Act
 * Pseudo-Marshall Law
 * Internment
 * Curfew
 * Inflict flogging
 * Banning of IRA


 * Also created "Special Forces"
 * Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC)


 * Special Constabulary (to Oppose
 * Category A -> Part-Time
 * Category B -> Full-Time
 * Category C -> Emergency
 * Nicknamed "B-Specials" -> Very divisive force
 * Constantly fought against Civil War and anarchy
 * Very Intrusive and Repressive towards Catholics


 * Tons of Paranoia & Prejudice
 * Lots of uprisings/riots/rebellions

World War II & Welfare

 * Turning point for Northern Ireland
 * Lots of Industry & Ship-building revitalized the economy
 * Lots of German bombing in Belfast
 * Carigovan was unprepared for Civil Defense
 * April 15, 1941 -> 1100 people dead
 * Many homeless


 * Outfall of the Bombing was great
 * People felt ignored and maligned
 * New "Welfare" State established thruout UK after the War -> Called the "New Jerusalem"
 * National Education
 * National Health Bill

Prelude to Crisis

 * Living Standards improved in Northern Ireland
 * Began a standard of living gap between Northern Ireland and the South


 * Also, politics continue -> Second University not built in (London)Derry the second largest city, but in small Protestant city


 * Meeting between Northern & Southern Prime Minister -> Both hoped economic improvement would heal the long standing wounds


 * 1966 Seamus Heaney -> New Statesmen Poem