Conflict in Conflict in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

Road to PeaceRoad to Peace

BackgroundBackground

12001200 16901690

17thC17thC

18001800 18461846 19211921

19491949

Conquered and colonised by EnglandConquered and colonised by England Battle of Boyne – William of Orange Battle of Boyne – William of Orange

(Protestant) defeated King James II (Catholic) (Protestant) defeated King James II (Catholic) in N Irelandin N Ireland

Many Protestants were brought into Northern Many Protestants were brought into Northern parts of Ireland. Local farmers were pushed parts of Ireland. Local farmers were pushed out.out.

Ireland became part of UKIreland became part of UK Potato Famine – 1 mil people out of 8 mil diedPotato Famine – 1 mil people out of 8 mil died Ireland divided into 2 – Northern Ireland Ireland divided into 2 – Northern Ireland

(Protestant majority) & Irish Free State (Protestant majority) & Irish Free State (Catholic majority)(Catholic majority)

Irish Free State became Republic of IrelandIrish Free State became Republic of Ireland

BackgroundBackground

Mid-1960sMid-1960s 19681968 Aug 1969Aug 1969

1969-19931969-1993 19721972

Civil Rights MovementCivil Rights Movement ““Troubles”Troubles” British Army units sent in to keep British Army units sent in to keep

peacepeace IRA fought for Irish CauseIRA fought for Irish Cause Bloody Sunday – led to direct rule from Bloody Sunday – led to direct rule from

LondonLondon

Causes of ConflictCauses of Conflict

Divided loyalties – intoleranceDivided loyalties – intolerance Education system – differences perpetuated, Education system – differences perpetuated,

segregationsegregation Unfair treatment /discrimination/ sectarian Unfair treatment /discrimination/ sectarian

prejudice - prejudice - Competition for jobsCompetition for jobs Housing Housing Voting (Proportional Representation not Voting (Proportional Representation not

implemented / gerrymandering)implemented / gerrymandering) Distrust!Distrust!

Violent reaction to the civil Violent reaction to the civil rights movementrights movement

Working-class Protestant resentmentWorking-class Protestant resentment Economic problemsEconomic problems

Radicalism in the civil rights movementRadicalism in the civil rights movement Fear of IRA (extreme nationalists)Fear of IRA (extreme nationalists) Marching and ConfrontationMarching and Confrontation Media attentionMedia attention O’Neill’s Failings (Unionist Party)O’Neill’s Failings (Unionist Party)

Bloody SundayBloody SundayOn 30th January 1972, 13 Catholics were killed when soldiers of a British paratroop regiment opened fire during a civil rights march in Londonderry. The day became known as Bloody Sunday. Its impact led to a resurgence of violent opposition to the British presence in Northern Ireland. Although the details of what took place that day remain controversial, many of the basic facts are not disputed.

Bloody SundayBloody Sunday

1450: The march begins1450: The march begins The demonstration was held The demonstration was held in protest at the policy of in protest at the policy of internment without trial. It internment without trial. It was organised by the was organised by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association. About 10,000 Association. About 10,000 people gathered in the people gathered in the Creggan Estate planning to Creggan Estate planning to walk to Guildhall Square in walk to Guildhall Square in the centre of the city, where a the centre of the city, where a rally would be held. The rally would be held. The march itself was illegal march itself was illegal because the Stormont because the Stormont Parliament had banned all Parliament had banned all such protests. such protests.

Bloody SundayBloody Sunday 1540: Confrontation1540: Confrontation

Paratroopers had sealed off the Paratroopers had sealed off the approaches to Guildhall square. approaches to Guildhall square. In order to avoid trouble the In order to avoid trouble the march organisers led most of march organisers led most of the demonstrators down the demonstrators down Rossville Street towards Free Rossville Street towards Free Derry Corner. A group of Derry Corner. A group of protesters stayed behind to protesters stayed behind to confront the soldiers at the confront the soldiers at the barricades. Stones and other barricades. Stones and other missiles were used to bombard missiles were used to bombard the soldiers who responded with the soldiers who responded with rubber bullets, CS gas and a rubber bullets, CS gas and a water cannon. The gas forced water cannon. The gas forced many of the remaining many of the remaining protesters to take refuge in the protesters to take refuge in the Bogside.Bogside.

Bloody SundayBloody Sunday 1610: Soldiers open fire1610: Soldiers open fire

The paratroopers had orders to The paratroopers had orders to move in and arrest as many of move in and arrest as many of the civil rights marchers as the civil rights marchers as possible. They advanced down possible. They advanced down Rossville Street into the Bogside. Rossville Street into the Bogside. What exactly happened next is What exactly happened next is not clear. The soldiers say they not clear. The soldiers say they were fired upon from the were fired upon from the Rossville flats as they moved in Rossville flats as they moved in to make arrests and that they to make arrests and that they returned fire. The Catholic returned fire. The Catholic community says soldiers on the community says soldiers on the ground and army snipers on the ground and army snipers on the city walls above the Bogside shot city walls above the Bogside shot unarmed civilians.unarmed civilians.

Bloody SundayBloody Sunday 1640: Thirteen dead1640: Thirteen dead

After 25 minutes of shooting, 13 After 25 minutes of shooting, 13 civil rights marchers were dead. civil rights marchers were dead. An inquiry by Lord Widgery An inquiry by Lord Widgery reported that the paratroopers’ reported that the paratroopers’ firing had "bordered on the firing had "bordered on the reckless". It also concluded the reckless". It also concluded the soldiers had been fired upon first soldiers had been fired upon first and some of the victims had and some of the victims had handled weapons. The Catholic handled weapons. The Catholic community rejected these community rejected these findings and began the long findings and began the long campaign for another inquiry. In campaign for another inquiry. In 1998 a fresh inquiry into the 1998 a fresh inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday was events of Bloody Sunday was announced.announced.

A slice of lifeA slice of lifeLoyalist Murals Republican MuralsRepublican Murals

Hunger Strikes and Death Hunger Strikes and Death of Bobby Sands of Bobby Sands

By March 1981 when Bobby Sands refused food, the By March 1981 when Bobby Sands refused food, the hunger strike became world news and the international hunger strike became world news and the international press was sympathetic to the prisoners' demands. press was sympathetic to the prisoners' demands. Pope John Paul II sent his Papal Envoy, Monsignor Pope John Paul II sent his Papal Envoy, Monsignor John Magee, to persuade Sands to give up the hunger John Magee, to persuade Sands to give up the hunger strike.strike.

Three weeks after his election Sands fell into a coma Three weeks after his election Sands fell into a coma and died on 5 May. He had been on hunger strike for and died on 5 May. He had been on hunger strike for 66 days. A hundred thousand people attended his 66 days. A hundred thousand people attended his funeral. His death provoked riots in Northern Ireland funeral. His death provoked riots in Northern Ireland and street protests in many cities around the world. and street protests in many cities around the world.

By the time the hunger strike ended on 3 October 1981 By the time the hunger strike ended on 3 October 1981 ten men had starved themselves to death.ten men had starved themselves to death.

Riots break out in Belfast each time a hunger striker Riots break out in Belfast each time a hunger striker dies. As the Thatcher government dug in its heels and dies. As the Thatcher government dug in its heels and refused to accede to the prisoners' demands, a refused to accede to the prisoners' demands, a Dungannon priest, Fr Denis Faul, sought to end the Dungannon priest, Fr Denis Faul, sought to end the hunger strike by persuading the prisoners' families to hunger strike by persuading the prisoners' families to intervene. On 28 July as Kevin Lynch approached the intervene. On 28 July as Kevin Lynch approached the 69th day of his fast, Fr Faul met some of the prisoners' 69th day of his fast, Fr Faul met some of the prisoners' families. He told them he believed Thatcher would not families. He told them he believed Thatcher would not make any further concessions and that nothing could be make any further concessions and that nothing could be gained by more deaths.gained by more deaths.

Impact of the hunger strikes?Impact of the hunger strikes?

ParamilitariesParamilitaries

Loyalists – Ulster Defence Association, Ulster Loyalists – Ulster Defence Association, Ulster Defence Force,UVF….Defence Force,UVF….

Nationalists – IRA, INLANationalists – IRA, INLA (Irish National Liberation Army) (Irish National Liberation Army)

Economic factorEconomic factor

poverty, unemployment – easy target for poverty, unemployment – easy target for recruitmentrecruitment

The IRAThe IRA

19191919 FoundedFounded 1948 1948 Fought for union with Rep. of Ireland Fought for union with Rep. of Ireland 19691969 Provisional IRA (more violent) & IRAProvisional IRA (more violent) & IRA 19941994 Pro. IRA declared unconditional ceasefire Pro. IRA declared unconditional ceasefire

for peace talks, but failed (issue of for peace talks, but failed (issue of disarming the IRA) Followed by series of disarming the IRA) Followed by series of bombingbombing

19971997 ceasefire, Sinn Fein was allowed to join the ceasefire, Sinn Fein was allowed to join the peace negotiationspeace negotiations

April 1998April 1998 Good Friday Agreement – power sharingGood Friday Agreement – power sharing May 1998May 1998 Referendum Referendum Aug 1998Aug 1998 Omagh bombing – Real IRA (formed after Omagh bombing – Real IRA (formed after

1997 ceasefire)1997 ceasefire)

ConsequencesConsequences

Loss of innocent livesLoss of innocent lives Disillusionment and prejudice – difficult to Disillusionment and prejudice – difficult to

achieve peace despite peace agreement achieve peace despite peace agreement in 1998 (Good Friday Agreement)in 1998 (Good Friday Agreement)

Stagnant economy – fall in investments Stagnant economy – fall in investments and tourismand tourism

Social implications of stagnant economySocial implications of stagnant economy

Peace EffortsPeace Efforts

19731973Power-sharing executivePower-sharing executive 19741974DefeatedDefeated 19851985Anglo-Irish AgreementAnglo-Irish Agreement Violence continuedViolence continued 19931993Downing Street DeclarationDowning Street Declaration 19941994Paramilitary ceasefiresParamilitary ceasefires 19981998Good Friday AgreementGood Friday Agreement

Peace EffortsPeace Efforts

Peace MovementsPeace Movements Community GroupsCommunity Groups Trade UnionsTrade Unions Education (Education for Mutual Education (Education for Mutual

Understanding) and Churches (Peace Understanding) and Churches (Peace Education Programme)Education Programme)

Go To:Go To:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/war/troubleshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/war/troubles//

For detailed study of the conflictFor detailed study of the conflict Variety of sources and commentariesVariety of sources and commentaries Art and musicArt and music

The Orange OrderThe Orange Order

Largest Protestant organisation in Largest Protestant organisation in Northern Ireland with at least 75,000 Northern Ireland with at least 75,000 members, some of them in the members, some of them in the Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland In 1795, "Battle of the Diamond" In 1795, "Battle of the Diamond" led to some of those involved to swearled to some of those involved to swear a new oath to uphold the Protestant a new oath to uphold the Protestant faith and be loyal to the King and his faith and be loyal to the King and his heirs, giving birth to the Orange Order. heirs, giving birth to the Orange Order.

Parades on 12 July.Parades on 12 July.

http://news.http://news.bbcbbc.co..co.ukuk/1/hi/northern_/1/hi/northern_irelandireland/1422212./1422212.stmstm

Causes of conflictCauses of conflict

Unhappiness may arise over the following factors : Unhappiness may arise over the following factors : Inability to keep their traditional way of life, instead forced to adopt a Inability to keep their traditional way of life, instead forced to adopt a

different set of customs and traditions. different set of customs and traditions. Anger unfair laws - languages/education policies that did not Anger unfair laws - languages/education policies that did not

consider their interests (real or perceived)consider their interests (real or perceived)Fight for control of power by different racial or religious groups Fight for control of power by different racial or religious groups Disagreement over how country should be ruled – management of Disagreement over how country should be ruled – management of

resources - job opportunities, economic resourcesresources - job opportunities, economic resources these issues may lead to conflict if there are no peaceful these issues may lead to conflict if there are no peaceful

solutions to the problems. solutions to the problems.

ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT?ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT?

Consequences of conflictConsequences of conflict

Political Political law and order disruptedlaw and order disrupted Violence, loss of lives, etc. Violence, loss of lives, etc. Foreign interventionForeign intervention Could have affected international Could have affected international

relations with foreign countries relations with foreign countries (depending on the nature of the conflict) (depending on the nature of the conflict)

Economic Economic Disruption of the economy. Disruption of the economy. Conflict would have led to the destruction of properties, factories, Conflict would have led to the destruction of properties, factories,

warehouses, etc. warehouses, etc. affected industrial growth. affected industrial growth. The instability in the country would result in the loss of confidence The instability in the country would result in the loss of confidence

amongst foreign investors. amongst foreign investors. decrease in investments. decrease in investments. Drop in revenue of the country Drop in revenue of the country Could result in unemployment. Could result in unemployment. This could in turn affect the livelihood of the people This could in turn affect the livelihood of the people standard of standard of

living dropped, etc. living dropped, etc.    Effect on Tourism = with instability, no tourist would be willing to visit Effect on Tourism = with instability, no tourist would be willing to visit

the country. the country.

Consequences of conflictConsequences of conflict

SocialSocial EEducation could be disrupted eg. Schools might have ducation could be disrupted eg. Schools might have

to close down. to close down. Hospitals might be affected too. Might be overcrowded Hospitals might be affected too. Might be overcrowded

with injured people, etc. Might not be able to cope. with injured people, etc. Might not be able to cope. Expenses on hospital care would increase too.Expenses on hospital care would increase too.

Standard of living dropped. Standard of living dropped.

Health facilities might also not be upgraded in view of the Health facilities might also not be upgraded in view of the drop in revenue. drop in revenue.

Consequences of conflictConsequences of conflict

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?

          Ulster will remain part of the UK, governed by a Protestant Ulster will remain part of the UK, governed by a Protestant majority. majority. ->The Catholics and the Nationalists who want to be joined to ->The Catholics and the Nationalists who want to be joined to Eire Eire will not accept that. will not accept that.

                Ulster will become part of a United Ireland, so the Protestants Ulster will become part of a United Ireland, so the Protestants will be will be

minority in the new nation. minority in the new nation. ->Protestants who want to keep their links with Britain will not ->Protestants who want to keep their links with Britain will not accept accept that. that.

                Ulster should become a small, independent state with no links to Ulster should become a small, independent state with no links to any any

other country. other country. ->It would be difficult to persuade people on both sides of the ->It would be difficult to persuade people on both sides of the argument to agree to that. argument to agree to that.

  Whatever it is, the solution has to be acceptable to both sides, until then, the Whatever it is, the solution has to be acceptable to both sides, until then, the

killings and bombings will continue. killings and bombings will continue.

LESSONS FOR SINGAPORE LESSONS FOR SINGAPORE

Being multi-racial,Being multi-racial, -Sensitive to one another’s needs. -Sensitive to one another’s needs. -Understanding and respect for the different ethnic, -Understanding and respect for the different ethnic,

racial and religious racial and religious -Peace and unity is the best defence against foreign -Peace and unity is the best defence against foreign

interference and interventioninterference and intervention