The Ulster Troubles (Part 3 of 24 )

The Troubles consisted of about 30 years of repeated acts of intense violence between elements of Northern Ireland's Nationalist community (principally Roman Catholic) and Unionist community (principally Protestant). The conflict was caused by the disputed status of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom, and the alleged domination of the minority nationalist community, and discrimination against, by the unionist majority. The violence was characterised by the armed campaigns of paramilitary groups. Most notable of these was the Provisional IRA campaign 1969--1997 which was aimed at the end of British rule in Northern Ireland and the creation of a new all-Ireland Irish Republic. In response to this campaign and the perceived erosion of the British character and unionist domination of Northern Ireland, loyalist paramilitaries such as the UVF and UDA launched their own campaigns against the nationalist population. The state security forces - the British Army and the police (the Royal Ulster Constabulary) - were also involved in the violence. The British government point of view is that its forces were neutral in the conflict and trying to uphold law and order in the North. Irish republicans, however, regarded the state forces as "combatants" in the conflict and point to evidence of repeated collusion between the state forces and the loyalists as proof of this.

Alongside the violence, there was a political deadlock between the major political parties in Northern Ireland, including those who condemned violence, over the future status of Northern Ireland and the form of government there should be within Northern Ireland.

The Troubles were brought to an uneasy end by a peace process which included the declaration of ceasefires by most paramilitary organisations, the corresponding withdrawal of most troops from the streets and the reform of the police, as agreed by the signatories to the Belfast Agreement (commonly known as the Good Friday Agreement). This reiterated the long-held position that Northern Ireland will remain within the United Kingdom until a majority votes otherwise. It also established a devolved power-sharing government within Northern Ireland (currently suspended), where the government must consist of both unionist and nationalist parties.

Though the number of active participants in the Troubles was relatively small, and the paramilitary organisations that claimed to represent the communities were sometimes unrepresentative of the general population, the Troubles touched the lives of most people in Northern Ireland on a daily basis, while occasionally spreading to Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. In addition at several times between 1969 and 1998, for example in 1972, after the Bloody Sunday, or during the Hunger Strikes of 1981, when there was mass, hostile mobilisation of the two communities and it seemed possible that the Troubles would escalate into a genuine civil war. Many people today have had their political, social and communal attitudes and perspectives shaped by the Troubles.

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• ulster
• irish
• northern
• ireland
• black
• tans
• republicans
• rising
• paisley
• british
• celtic
• dublin
• treaty
• catholic
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• derry
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[Flipper79able]

That's funny George asked the Irish to forgive and forget. Most Prods in Ulster think" What"?" We didn't do anything wrong"?

[1MrTurd]

your grasp of the english language is fantastic. i think youtube should vet the comments section, for example only comments made by people with an iq over.. say that of a small root vegetable should be allowed

[92eire]

brit army scum

[IrishKnight89]

There is nothing wrong with studying this history, just remember that is what it is, history. We need to cooperate today. I don't give a fuck about your ancestors or your skin colour. Just be my friend, lets have a pint and live it up.

[IrishKnight89]

@mrkitoko1 that doesn't make sense. so because of the actions of someone's ancestors you would continue to condemn the ones living there now? That is like going and killing a random German just because Nazi's came from germany. just because IRA and UVF existed/exist doesn't mean that everyone liked them. No one gave a shit until that pedobear patrick pearse started preaching about a lost gaelic past. My grandparents left Ireland in the early 20's because of the stupid idiots like him.

[IrishKnight89]

@hainlighe Oi! Stop talking about land owned and inherited and just live amongst other human beings. No one had to resort to anything they just did because people, in general, suck at politics. Stop taking sides with Irish or British...take sides with your fellow man. @TraceyMariexx stop accusing people of lacking intelligence! If you truly open your eyes...you'll see that you are both in the wrong b/c you are simply hating eachother.

[fitzy545]

them huns would make you sick

[1984ioc]

@TraceyMariexx I pity you,i actually do.You are the definition of ignorance and stupidity

[cinesimonj]

@TraceyMariexx Your ignorance is pretty staggering Tracy.

I can only assume you've decided to only listen to the British propaganda, and just accept it without bothering to use your basic human capacity for critical thinking.

To suggest it was republicans who simply chose to keep it going for the sake of hate and blood list is just pathetic.

It sounds to me that you want to believe that, so no amount of actual reality would convince you otherwise.

[mrkitoko1]

as a african raised in the uk, i would like to say to the irish that i totally side with the side that was trying to free ireland from british occupation and unite them back into one, any so cold irish that can not see the importance of such thing does not even deserve to be called irish. land is something thats inherited, you cannot sell your land or give it to another countr. the ulster loyalist should have immigrated to england if they wanted to accept the monarchy i like this documentary

[MrStephenr18]

How old is this documentary?

[TraceyMariexx]

@hainlighe Oi watch your foul mouth! Can you not get a point out without such abuse! If you can't grow up then don't debate because your lack of intelligence is extremely insulting to your age group!