Among those injured in the clashes were Gerry Fitt, a Member of Parliament, and three (Westminster) Labour MPs.
The television cameras captured the brutal treatment of the civil rights leaders by the police. This shocked people in the rest of Ireland and in Britain.
O‘Neill resigned
The British Government forced O’Neill to bring in reforms in housing and in local elections. But this did not stop the demonstrations.
O’Neill also had to face opposition from the extreme unionists, led by Ian Paisley, who demanded that he should not give in to Catholics. ● O’Neill was forced to resign in 1969 when he lost the support of his own party. He was succeeded by Major James Chichester-Clark.
Assessing Your Learning
1. How did unionists discriminate against nationalists? 2. How did the Education Act 1947 contribute to the causes of the Troubles?
3. Name one of the demands of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA).
4. Name one of the leaders of NICRA.
5. Why were extreme unionists opposed to Terence O’Neill?
6. What date is given for the beginning of the Troubles? 7. What did NICRA plan on that day? 8. What happened on that day?
The Course of the Troubles 1
Provisional IRA began bombing campaign
1970 Bloody Sunday in Derry Direct rule from Westminster
Bloody Friday – IRA bombings in Belfast 1972
Ulster Workers’ Council strike
1974
Warrenpoint Ambush by the IRA
1979
Outline the course of the Troubles in Northern Ireland
Key Words Apprentice Boys Republicanism Provisional IRA
Belfast people with belongings they have salvaged after being driven out of their homes