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History Quiz - Northern Ireland: 1968-98 - Attempts At Agreement 1973-1995 (Questions)

Explore how politicians and paramilitaries in Northern Ireland and Britain struggled to reach power sharing deals between 1973 and 1995, and see which agreements failed or survived.

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Fascinating Fact:

In 1974 the Ulster Workers’ Council strike brought Northern Ireland to a standstill. The strike forced the collapse of the power sharing executive.

In GCSE History, this topic examines attempts to reach political agreement in Northern Ireland between 1973 and 1995. You study power sharing, British and Irish government involvement, and why different proposals were accepted or rejected.

Key Terms

  • Power Sharing Executive: A proposed government in Northern Ireland where Unionist and Nationalist politicians shared ministerial posts.
  • Sunningdale Agreement: A 1973 deal that created a power sharing executive and a Council of Ireland linking Northern Ireland and the Republic.
  • Anglo Irish Agreement: A 1985 agreement that gave the Irish government a consultative role in Northern Ireland’s affairs through an Intergovernmental Conference.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

Why did some Unionists oppose the Sunningdale Agreement?

Some Unionists believed Sunningdale weakened the union with Britain. They feared the Council of Ireland could be a step towards a united Ireland, so they rejected power sharing with Nationalists.

What was the aim of the Anglo Irish Agreement in 1985?

The Anglo Irish Agreement aimed to improve security cooperation, reduce violence and give the Irish government a formal voice, while keeping Northern Ireland part of the United Kingdom unless most people wanted change.

How did attempts at agreement prepare the way for the Good Friday Agreement?

Earlier deals developed ideas like power sharing, cross border bodies and consent of the people. Even when they failed, they created experience and models that later helped negotiators in the 1990s.

Try These Related Quizzes

1. The so-called "Power-Sharing Executive" was set up in November 1973 containing members of three of Northern Ireland's political parties. Which of the following four parties was not involved?
[ ] Unionists
[ ] The Alliance Party
[ ] The Social Democratic and Labour Party
[ ] Sinn Fein
2. The UK government proceeded to hold a conference at Sunningdale to discuss ways of bringing the Republic of Ireland (Southern Ireland) directly into some aspects of the Province's life, like tourism and fisheries. The proposal was that a cross-border body would ensure this. What was this body going to be called?
[ ] The Irish Council
[ ] The Cross-Border Council
[ ] The All-Ireland Council
[ ] The Council of Ireland
3. In May 1974 the Power-Sharing Executive collapsed under the pressure of a general strike, called by the Ulster Workers' Council in opposition to the Sunningdale Agreement. Which Unionist Prime Minister resigned at this time?
[ ] Ian Paisley
[ ] Brian Faulkner
[ ] Terence O'Neill
[ ] Robin Chichester-Clark
4. The Anglo-Irish Agreement, signed in November 1985, represented an advance. Which British Prime Minister signed it?
[ ] Margaret Thatcher
[ ] John Major
[ ] Jim Callaghan
[ ] Edward Heath
5. In 1993 John Major and John Reynolds signed a further agreement that led the way ultimately to the 1998 settlement. By what name was this initial deal known?
[ ] The Downing Street Memorandum
[ ] The Downing Street Declaration
[ ] The Downing Street Accords
[ ] The Downing Street Agreement
6. A pre-condition of any lasting peace was a ceasefire declaration, both by the IRA and by the "Loyalist" paramilitaries. In which year did both of these antagonistic groups announce a ceasefire?
[ ] 1993
[ ] 1995
[ ] 1996
[ ] 1994
7. Which US president played a crucial role in creating the 1998 deal by visiting the Province twice (in 1995 and 1998), and by promising substantial US aid in the event of a definitive peace agreement?
[ ] Ronald Reagan
[ ] George Bush, Senior
[ ] George W. Bush
[ ] Bill Clinton
8. Another American, the experienced and respected peace broker Senator George Mitchell, was entrusted with recommending a process to deal with one of Northern Ireland's persistent issues. Which of the following topics was he asked to investigate in 1995?
[ ] The release from jail of convicted IRA and "Loyalist" terrorists
[ ] The Royal Ulster Constabulary: the clear bias in favour of Protestants over Catholics in appointing officers to the police force
[ ] Parades: trying to find ways of permitting marches from each community so as to avoid inter-communal violence
[ ] Paramilitary weapons: trying to ensure that all such weapons were "de-commissioned" beyond use
9. Which of Tony Blair's Northern Ireland Secretaries visited the Maze Prison near Belfast to assure inmates from each community that any peace deal would include substantial releases of convicted prisoners?
[ ] Peter Mandelson
[ ] Mo Mowlam
[ ] Shaun Woodward
[ ] Roy Mason
10. Both the UK and the Republic of Ireland had joined this international organisation, and the latter especially was clearly deriving benefit from membership. In the event of a final peace settlement this body was prepared to invest substantially in the Province. Which body?
[ ] NATO
[ ] The United Nations
[ ] The European Union
[ ] The European Free Trade Association

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Changing relations: Northern Ireland and its neighbours, 1965-98

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History Quiz - Northern Ireland: 1968-98 - Attempts At Agreement 1973-1995 (Answers)
1. The so-called "Power-Sharing Executive" was set up in November 1973 containing members of three of Northern Ireland's political parties. Which of the following four parties was not involved?
[ ] Unionists
[ ] The Alliance Party
[ ] The Social Democratic and Labour Party
[x] Sinn Fein
Northern Ireland politics ran on sectarian lines: Protestants voted Unionist and Catholics Republican. If the new government did not enjoy the support of a wide range of opinion, its prospects for success - and even survival - did not look great
2. The UK government proceeded to hold a conference at Sunningdale to discuss ways of bringing the Republic of Ireland (Southern Ireland) directly into some aspects of the Province's life, like tourism and fisheries. The proposal was that a cross-border body would ensure this. What was this body going to be called?
[ ] The Irish Council
[ ] The Cross-Border Council
[ ] The All-Ireland Council
[x] The Council of Ireland
Unionists were predictably suspicious of such plans which they regarded as stepping-stones to a United Ireland
3. In May 1974 the Power-Sharing Executive collapsed under the pressure of a general strike, called by the Ulster Workers' Council in opposition to the Sunningdale Agreement. Which Unionist Prime Minister resigned at this time?
[ ] Ian Paisley
[x] Brian Faulkner
[ ] Terence O'Neill
[ ] Robin Chichester-Clark
So it was now back to direct rule, until the Province's squabbling politicians could agree on something else
4. The Anglo-Irish Agreement, signed in November 1985, represented an advance. Which British Prime Minister signed it?
[x] Margaret Thatcher
[ ] John Major
[ ] Jim Callaghan
[ ] Edward Heath
This agreement was accepted both by the Dail (the parliament of the Irish Republic) and the House of Commons. It was even registered at the UN as an international treaty
5. In 1993 John Major and John Reynolds signed a further agreement that led the way ultimately to the 1998 settlement. By what name was this initial deal known?
[ ] The Downing Street Memorandum
[x] The Downing Street Declaration
[ ] The Downing Street Accords
[ ] The Downing Street Agreement
There is no doubt that this deal was a further stepping-stone to the major accomplishment of the1998 treaty
6. A pre-condition of any lasting peace was a ceasefire declaration, both by the IRA and by the "Loyalist" paramilitaries. In which year did both of these antagonistic groups announce a ceasefire?
[ ] 1993
[ ] 1995
[ ] 1996
[x] 1994
There was a temporary return to violence by the IRA, but both sides had resumed their "totally unarmed strategy" before the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998
7. Which US president played a crucial role in creating the 1998 deal by visiting the Province twice (in 1995 and 1998), and by promising substantial US aid in the event of a definitive peace agreement?
[ ] Ronald Reagan
[ ] George Bush, Senior
[ ] George W. Bush
[x] Bill Clinton
The US dimension is crucial. Clinton promised financial assistance to Northern Ireland, and had influence with the large Irish-American community
8. Another American, the experienced and respected peace broker Senator George Mitchell, was entrusted with recommending a process to deal with one of Northern Ireland's persistent issues. Which of the following topics was he asked to investigate in 1995?
[ ] The release from jail of convicted IRA and "Loyalist" terrorists
[ ] The Royal Ulster Constabulary: the clear bias in favour of Protestants over Catholics in appointing officers to the police force
[ ] Parades: trying to find ways of permitting marches from each community so as to avoid inter-communal violence
[x] Paramilitary weapons: trying to ensure that all such weapons were "de-commissioned" beyond use
All of these vital questions needed to be addressed if an agreement was to be reached, and to be honoured
9. Which of Tony Blair's Northern Ireland Secretaries visited the Maze Prison near Belfast to assure inmates from each community that any peace deal would include substantial releases of convicted prisoners?
[ ] Peter Mandelson
[x] Mo Mowlam
[ ] Shaun Woodward
[ ] Roy Mason
Such a visit took courage: these were very violent men with a record of appalling crimes
10. Both the UK and the Republic of Ireland had joined this international organisation, and the latter especially was clearly deriving benefit from membership. In the event of a final peace settlement this body was prepared to invest substantially in the Province. Which body?
[ ] NATO
[ ] The United Nations
[x] The European Union
[ ] The European Free Trade Association
The investment promised to follow a definitive peace settlement was a strong incentive to work for one, and to ensure that it was voted for in any future referendum
© Education Quizzes. Please visit www.educationquizzes.com to subscribe