Northern Ireland 1964-1970

What happened from the 1920s-1960s?

Gerrymandering at elections meaning that NI was completely dominated by Protestants and Catholics were discriminated against. This resulted in Catholics resenting the Protestants

What was NICRA

• It was formed in 1967 and was Catholic Students who seeked fair rights for Catholics

• They wanted an end to Gerrymandering and fair distribution of social and financial resources

Why was October 1968 significant?

• It was deemed the start of the troubles as NICRA held a march in Londonderry. Which sparked violence and was deemed as the start of the troubles

What was the Battle of the Bogside?

• A protestant march was occuring in the Catholic Bogside

• Rioting between the residents and police occured for 3 days

• The police couldn’t enter the area and this sparked a number of other riots across the country

What happened on the 15th August 1969?

• The leader of Northern Ireland reached out to Harold Wilson to send troops to NI. Wilson agreed and troops were sent

• Catholics thought they would be more protected

What was the reaction to the British soldiers?

• Originally, they were accepted by both sides

• The Brtish government began favouring the Protestants/unionists making them a target for the IRA

Why did Britain eventually get involved in Northern Ireland?

• The whole world could see that people were getting hurt and the ‘United’ Kingdom was actually far from United

Why could ‘the troubles’ have a negative impact on the government?

• They only acted when the tensions had erupted into violence and the NI leader had to reach out to Wilson