The History of Belfast

The History of BelfastTHE TROUBLES

DIVIDED COUNTRYIn 1801 the whole of Ireland united with Britain

Political & Religious divide

Divide between the two main religious groups

The Catholics/ The Protestants

One main argument United Ireland/ Part of Britain

Protestants The Protestant community are happy with the political union with Great Britain.

British citizens with British passport

Loyalists since they proclaim loyalty to the British monarchy

CatholicsWant to create a single united Ireland

They consider themselves Irish, Irish passports

Politically called Republicans They want the republic or Ireland and the north of Ireland to join as one.

Creation of Sinn Fein 1905Political party with the aim of freeing Ireland from British Rule

Creation of the UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force)A gang / terrorist group made up of Protestants willing to fight against having a united Ireland

IRA Irish Republican ArmyA gang/ terrorist group made up of Catholics to fight for a united Ireland.

1920 Division of IrelandThe 6 counties (regions) of Northern Ireland will remain part of the United Kingdom with a parliament in Belfast

Division of IrelandThe 26 other Southern counties (regions) were given full independence from Britain and become the Republic of Ireland with a parliament in Dublin.

Beginning of TroublesOctober 5th 1968Catholics living in Northern Ireland protested for more rights Police intervened at the Protest (Protestant)Turned violent

The TroublesThe Troubles consisted of about 30 years of repeated acts of intense violence between the Roman Catholic community and the Protestant community

3,281 deaths, many more injured

RiotsBombs were an everyday occurrence

Shootings in the street, bars

Throwing fireworks, petrol bombs, bricks

Omagh Bombing

August 1998Car bomb by the IRA29 people died as a result of the attack approximately 220 people were injuredWorst attack on civiliansOmagh Bomb

Peace Walls

Walls constructed by the British army to separate the communites

Make it harder to riothttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RriDrpZuLiUGood Friday - 1998

The Good Friday Agreement was a peace agreement signed between Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Aimed to end the violence within Northern Ireland

Prisoners released from jail

Terrorist groups hand in weapons

Peace at lastCross community projectsChildren from Catholic families and children from Protestant families brought together through sports, dramma, dance clubs etc.Integrated education, the introduction of schools for both Catholics and Protestants

This year a huge step for Northern IrelandThe Queen and a former IRA leader now a politician for Sinn Feinn shook hands at Stormont (Parliament in Belfast)