1964-70 The Troubles - politics

Northern Ireland created

1922

Republican beliefs

• Northern Ireland should be a part of the Republic of Ireland

• mainly Catholic

• also known as Nationalists (in a political context)

Unionist Beliefs

• Northern Ireland should remain a part of the UK

• mainly protestants

• also known as loyalists

Republican paramilitary groups

• IRA - Irish Republican Association

• INLA - Irish National Liberation Association

Unionist paramilitary groups

• UDA - Ulster Defense Association

• UVF - Ulster Volunteer Force

Republican Parties

Sinn Fein (extreme)

SDLP - Social Democratic Labour Party

Unionist Parties

DUP (extreme) - Democratic Unionist Party

UUP - Ulster Unionist Party

background to conflict

1920s-60s

• protestants dominate housing and employment, the Catholic minority in NI feel resentment

• gerrymandering (deliberate movement of constituency’s border to manipulate election results)meant NI was totally dominated by Protestants - Catholic voices not heard

NI civil rights movement begins to challenge order in

1964

NICRA founded

1967 - organisation formed mainly by Catholic students seeking fair rights, inspired by the US civil rights movement

Stands for Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association

NICRA march in Londonderry

October 1968

The march ended with an RUC (NI police) baton charge, sparking further violence

seen as the beginning of ‘the Troubles’

the Battle of the Bogside dates

12th-14th August, 1969

Battle of the Bogside

rioting began at the end of an Apprentice Boy’s parade (celebrating protestants who fought against James II annually)

violence between Bogside residents (mainly Catholic) and RUC and local unionists

violence lasts 3 days with police unable to enter and break up the riot area

Britain sends army to the Bogside

James Chichester-Clark (NI leader) appeals to Wilson to send troops

This was agreed and Callaghan (foreign secretary) announced ‘Operation Banner’

reaction to British troops at Bogside

at first, troops were welcomed by both communities

however, it became perceived that British troops were protecting Unionism, making them an IRA target

Stormont Gov, offer concessions

14th August 1969 - offer concessions on housing and electoral boundaries to please the Catholics and calm the situation - but this led to rioting from loyalist groups