Conflict in Northern Ireland

Introduction

●Conflict in NI killed thousands ● Political and religious roots ● Protestant Unionist community : remain part

of the United Kingdom. ●Catholic Nationalist community : leave the

UK and become part of the Republic of Ireland

Origins / Brief history

● 1170: Ireland becomes England’s first colony ● 16th century: reign of Henry VIII, beginning of

Protestantism ● 17th century: English and Scottish Protestants move

to Ireland and begin to take Catholic lands ● 1690 : Battle of the Boyne : Protestant King William

of Orange defeated Catholic King James II

● 1916: The Easter Rising : Irish rebels fight against the British Army in Dublin, five days of fighting

● 1922: Independence from Britain, area with Protestant majority remained. Northern Ireland was created.

● Many members of IRA imprisoned ● 1960: Civil Rights Movement

The Troubles

● Refers to 3 decades of violence 1969-99 (More than 3000 deaths) ● Began in 1969 : civil rights protests and Loyalist

counter protests begin violence ● Conflict between British troops and IRA ● Loyalist groups respond with sectarian violence

against Catholics ● 1972 : Bloody Sunday : civil rights march in Derry,

British Army kill 14 men ● 80s/90s : bombs, hunger strikes, terrorist attacks

Issues of conflict

●Economy ●National Identity ●Equal rights and opportunities ●Independence after colonisation

Peace in sight

● 1998 : Good Friday Agreement : two terrorist groups come to a ceasefire. They learn to share power

● 2005 : IRA agree to end violence and destroys weapons

Nowadays

● Underlying conflict still remains ● Bomb scares etc ● Catholic and Protestant areas/schools ● Different celebrations (12th July) ● Flag conflict ● Peace line ● Young people involved in politics ● Distinguish politics and religion ● Less discrimination

Conclusion

● Ongoing conflict today !

● Young people in politics will help improve the situation !

● In my opinion, Northern Ireland is in a strong position while we are part of the UK !

● People who remain backward and cause conflict need to change their attitude in order to stop the cycle of sectarianism through the generations

Speaking questions

● What did you know about the conflict in Northern Ireland before seeing this presentation?

● World media often represents Northern Ireland as a violent place. Is this a fair representation?

● What do you think the people of Northern Ireland should do to ensure a peaceful future?