The Troubles...An Ethnic Conflict
By Peter J. Nelson-Broderick
The Root Of The Troubles
“The Troubles,” a period of instability in Northern Ireland, started in 1968 and ended in 1998, began with the banned Londonderry civil rights protests. Although the conflict in Northern Ireland dates back to 1167 when the British first made claims to Ireland. The political conflict turned religious in the days of Henry VIII and the persecution of Catholics began in Ireland. Financial effects of Catholic(Irish Nationalists) and Protestant(UK Loyalists) conflicts continued and became violent much like the civil rights movement in America. The protests were led by Catholic nationalists seeking equal rights for housing, jobs, and political representation. October 5th, 1968 protesters were bombarded by police officers from the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) after three days of protesting. Even hundreds of years after the population intermingling, the larger part of Ireland remained Catholic and Northern Ireland, Protestant and the economic and social discrepancies erupted in violence.
Credits:
BBC News. BBC. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
"Apgov.org: Flipped: The Troubles." Apgov.org: Flipped: The Troubles. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
Tension and Discrimination
Nationalists had several divisions and tensions that became so great that violence against civilians became common with the use of homemade bombs. Catholics in Northern Ireland were often discriminated against when seeking employment and in everyday circumstances such as public access to goods and services. Conflicts between nationalist and loyalist became increasingly violent and British troops were called in to keep peace after the RUC was overpowered by rioting in 1969. A British soldier named Robert Curtis was killed in February 1971(he was the first one to be killed in the conflict.) In the aftermath, IRA (Irish Republican Army)suspects were imprisoned and this resulted in a very violent year. According to the National Archives:
“1972 was the worst year of the Troubles. Nearly 500 people died and 5,000 were injured. There were almost 2,000 explosions and over 10,000 shootings. 1972 was also the year when Stormont, Northern Ireland's own Parliament and Government, was suspended and direct rule from Westminster began.” (National Archives , UK).
"The Troubles Gallery - 40 Years of Conflict in Northern Ireland from the Belfast Telegraph Archives - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk." BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
Open Violence
Bloody Sunday occurred on January 31st, 1972 leaving thirteen dead and that March British rule resumed. The British embassy in Dublin was burned down, three hundred and eighty one bombs, fifty-six deaths, and twenty-seven security forces were dead in the months following Bloody Sunday. Ulster Vanguard, a paramilitary loyalist group, arose in response to the violence. A state of lawlessness continued with intermittent truces. In May of 1998 “The Good Friday Agreement” allowed Protestants and Catholics equal governing power in Northern Ireland and was later improved upon by the Saint Andrews Agreement.
What was Free Derry?
Another Look At Spatial Extent
The spatial area of “The Troubles” was primarily in Northern Ireland, however there was an attack Dublin. Other attacks in England included London, Yorkshire and Birmingham. The area was very concentrated, but there were threats that extended as far as Gibraltar and the violence was not targeted only towards key people, many innocent civilians including members of their own subgroups were killed.
How long did "The Troubles" last
“The Troubles” went on for three decades from 1968 to 1998 but, there has been conflict in the area off and on since the twelfth century. The conflict between the British and the Irish during the “The Troubles” was centered around religion however through hundreds of years the arguments have also included land, government and economics.
How many people were affected?
An estimated 50,000 injured and more than 3,600 others killed during the troubles in addition to bringing economic hardship and political destabilization for Northern Ireland. Many of the events were much more than protest and by current standards might be viewed as terrorism.
How has this conflict viewed, globally, regionally, and in the community?
Economically, people in the financial sector do not invest in unstable governments. The prejudice over religion in particular is bigoted and outdated and although it is not “racist” it is valuing humans on their beliefs. The region in the north has limited their economic growth and due to bombings the infrastructure in some areas. Locally, overcoming joint control of areas like Belfast have been challenging due to past violence and community destruction.