Ulster Troubles (Part 12 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
• tans
• republic
• rising
• british
• celtic
• dublin
• belfast
• catholic
• protestant
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• ruc

[jasonkolo]

I'm American so I'm not allowed to talk about this.

[circleof42]

Why do you think they boycotted it? How can anyone with a straight face say that that Unionists wanted a society where everyone could have a voice when in fact the whole idea was to have an Ulster for Unionists and Unionists only? Gerrymandering was on the cards from day one and continued until the civil rights movement was established. You either have a voice or you dont.

[banjostring1992]

Both sides did terrible stuff, but Glen Barr seems incredibly biased

[MrJustmypointofview]

Illegal state,withholding peoples rights. and where did it get them,30 years of war,shame in the eyes of the world. And perhaps best of all an ever looseing grip on the union. Only one Union matters and thats a United Ireland, cats,prods,and whatever your having yourself all liveing in peace. T.A.L.

[Oldsoho]

That Devlin whore, she was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people.

[luv2poker1]

tut tut

[srammer99]

pretty biased towards the catholic side..they didn't want to part of the gov't at that time...wrongs have been done on both sides, catholic and protestant..

[Keanetastico]

Glenn Barr what an asshole, he can't even prononce Catholic properly. Look at James Chichester-Clarke, what an anglo bastard- get out of Ireland bastards

[celticbhoyy]

Glen Barr you silly little man shame on you.

[12321232123212123212]

So Northern Ireland is like the Nazi regime you say......

[FACTUNTHJU]

43000 milk bottles lost?

Black tea and coffee next morning then...lol