The Troubles Flashcards
(4 cards)
Why did the troubles emerge in Northern Ireland? And what was the conflict like?
In The 1920a Ireland became partitioned with Northern Ireland remaining under British rule but the Republic of Ireland became independent. There were clear divisions between the counties but it remained peaceful until 1969 with the troubles.
There was a series of marches in Northern Ireland to challenge discrimination against catholics, marchers were attacked by loyalist mobs and the police did very little to defend the marchers and violence spread with loyalist mobs attacking catholic areas and homes. Some catholics fought back so the government sent in troops to restore the peace.
At first these troops were warmly welcomed by most catholics but some hard republicans disliked the British control in Northern Ireland and the provisional IRA was set up supposedly to defend catholic communities, they bought arms and trained young men to use them.
In July 1970 four Protestants were killed by guns with IRA activists in response 3,000 troops were orders into catholic areas in search of IRA members and weapons. Homes were wrecked and tear gas was used which turned catholic opinion against the British and boosted the IRA image as a protector.
How did the troubles escalate?
30 years of guerrilla warfare unfolded following the British troops intervention. The IRA seen as terrorists by many planned to kill as many troops as possible to make Britain withdraw from Ireland but they also attacked targets on the British mainland. In the 70s many wee killed by pub bombings and the IRA nearly killed Margaret Thatcher.
In response to the IRA threat the government introduced internment whereby suspected terrorists could be arrested and imprisoned without trial, this was very controversial. The government also sent more troops to Northern Ireland to keep control, and on Bloody Sunday they shot 13 unarmed demonstrators giving the IRA more supporters. None of these measures technically defeated the IRA but they also didn’t suceed in their goal of driving the troops out.
What was the impact of the troubles?
In Northern Ireland,
Random violence, there was always a chance of a bomb attack in public places and many civilians uninvolved were needlessly killed by the conflict.
Sectarian attacks, the catholics also lived in fear of religious attacks from the Protestants who killed then for being catholic.
Punishment attacks, In working class areas IRA enforced strict control and any who spoke against them could be beaten or killed.
Disruption,
Roads all over Northern Ireland were blocked and people had to carry identity papers at all times.
Discrimination by security;
Security forces discriminated against catholics as they were seen as a threat and many were arrested and tortured.
Divisions between government and people,
The government disbanded the northern Irish government with direct rule from London which many disliked.
In Britain,
There were some casualties in Britain but more so than anything security measures became tighter than ever before.
How did people react to the troubles?
In Northern Ireland:
Many people nationalists felt the security discriminated against them and many went on hunger strikes to demand political status, but thatcher called them criminals. The strikes gained much traction in Northern Ireland and a striker even got elected to parliament but most still opposed the IRA.
Many unionists saw their lives and national identity under threat and felt they didn’t really have a side as they disliked the troops and the IRA, most tried to just get on with their lives, a challenging task. Some actively fought for peace but this often was trampled on.
In mainland Britain;
At the start it was mostly confusion and in deference but the bombing campaign changed opinions and British people supported government decisions and hated the IRA one IRA sympathiser in the London council Livingstone was attacked heavily in the media. Whilst there was hate for the IRA people wanted peace more than anything and cease fires were agreed and the Good Friday agreement was made.
