Beginning of Troubles - 1960s

Question 1

Short-term causes of the Troubles

Answer 1

Killing of Matilda Gaud –> 77 y/o protestant who died of burns

Peter Ward (18 y/o) catholic boy was killed outside a pub in Belfast

August 12 1969 –> 15,000 apprentice boys (protestants) went to Bogside a catholic city where a battle broke out between the Protestants and Catholics

Question 2

Long term causes of the Troubles

Answer 2

Province of N.I. had been created in 1922 –> Ireland was partitioned between 6 countries in the north of Ireland that remained part of the UK and other 26 countries became republic of Ireland

Majority of people were catholic in Ireland (500,000) but in Northern Ireland it was mostly protestants (1 million)

Northern Ireland’s parliaments = Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) who were protestants had the best housing, schools and jobs

Protestants dominated police force in the N.I. who were known as RUC