The Short and Long Term Effects of the Hunger-Strikes in...

The Short and Long Term Effects of the Hunger-Strikes in Northern Ireland The hunger-strikes of 1980 and 1981 had highly significant consequences for Northern Ireland nationally and internationally. While at first they polarised the community, they eventually led to the beginnings of peace in Northern Ireland. Soon after Direct Rule was introduced in Northern Ireland in March 1972 Westminster created a new department, the Northern Ireland Office, which had responsibility for Irelandwhile a cross-community successor to the Stormont system was devised[1]. William Whitelaw was appointed its head, under the title of Northern Ireland Secretary. Whitelaw aimed to improve his relations with†¦show more content†¦Whitelaw later conceded that he had made a mistake in introducing special category status[6] as it led to the political upheavals[7] of 1980 and 1981. In late 1975 the Labour Secretary of State Merlyn Rees announced the phasing out of the special category status. Acting on advice that removing the status from inmates who were already granted it would result in major disturbances, Rees announced that newly convicted prisoners would not be granted the status. These prisoners were put in newly built cells called H-block (or the Maze). They were expected to wear prison uniform, carry out prison work, given little association with other prisoners and were no longer segregated from non-paramilitary inmates. While Loyalists staged protests but soon accepted the conditions, republicans were far more determined in their objections. They created an unofficial anthem that captured the depth of their opposition: Ill wear no convicts uniform, Nor meekly serve my time, That England might Brand Irelands fight Eight hundred years of crime[8]. Their protest escalated from the autumn of 1976 onwards. Initially they refused to wear prison clothes, which became know as being on the blanket. For refusing prison clothes the defiant prisoners were punished by being given only a blanket leaving them naked, confined permanently toShow MoreRelatedThe Anglo-Irish Agreement Essay2327 Words   |  10 PagesIrish republicans. Unionists in Northern Ireland became increasingly concerned during these discussions, but Thatcher ignored their fears. In November 1985, she signed the Anglo-Irish agreement with Garrett Fitzgerald. The agreement was well received in most of mainland Britain and the republic. In Northern Ireland, the alliance and SDLP felt that it had possibilities. Sinn Fein rejected this because it confirmed the partition of Ireland. The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1922Read MoreFreedom Of Information, Opinion And Expression2001 Words   |  9 PagesSlave and Hunger two are films by highly acclaimed director Steve McQueen. 12 years a Slave deals with the inequality and injustice that shook the African American Nation before the civil war. 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