The Troubles (1969-1994)

Question 1

Type of war/background

Answer 1

-Between countries; rebellion; civil war; religious; defence
-people in Ireland became very nationalist, esp. in WWI
-1916 - Easter Rising: Irish Republic established
-IRA - nationalist and aim to make Ireland independent
-Northern Irish mainly either catholic/nationalist or protestant/unionist

Question 2

Examples of war

Answer 2

-acts of terrorism to put pressure on gov. - turns into Sectarian Violence.
-July 1970 - 4 protestants killed in gun battle against IRA; Army sent to search for IRA weapons; 30 years if guerrilla warfare begun/turned into civil war - IRA targeted Army; RUC protestant businesses/commit killings in N.I. and mainland Britain; Counter Terrorism Branch of Secret Service est.; 1972 - army shot dear 13 unarmed demonstrators (Bloody Sunday)
-1974 - IRA bombed pubs killing 28/wounding 200.
-1978 - IRA almost succeeded in killing Thatcher.
-1980s - Sinn Fein - political wing of IRA began to talk to media

Question 3

Attitudes and responses

Answer 3

-late 1960s - Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association march to challenge discrimination against catholics.
-Loyalists attack them, but the police (RUC) do little to defend catholics.
-British gov. send in British Army to police the region.
-They become target for IRA, so attack them - N.I. caught in crossfire.
-1990s - meetings between government and Sinn Fein led to improved relations
-1994 - ceasefire came into force

Question 4

Impact on people

Answer 4

-indirect, psychological, cultural
-fear of bombs, guns, of being attacked
-two sides get further apart

Question 5

Impact on government

Answer 5

-gov. get weaker, as they cannot solve it.
-1998 - Good Friday Agreement - important achievement for British, however some unionists criticise it because they think it gives nationalists too much power.