The Longest ConflictThe Longest ConflictIntermediate Global LiteratureIntermediate Global Literature

Early English InterestEarly English Interest 11711171

Pope Alexander IIIPope Alexander III

Ireland to Henry IIIreland to Henry II

1500’s1500’s

Henry VIII & Elizabeth I Henry VIII & Elizabeth I

Colonization increased Colonization increased

RebellionsRebellions

1600s Colonization1600s Colonization ColonizationColonization

English & Scottish settlersEnglish & Scottish settlers

Oliver Cromwell conqueredOliver Cromwell conquered

Battle of the BoyneBattle of the Boyne

Protestant King William Protestant King William

Catholic King JamesCatholic King James

King William wonKing William won

England claimed IrelandEngland claimed Ireland

Split Between Split Between North & SouthNorth & South

1912 1912 Home rule campaignHome rule campaign

N. Ireland ParliamentN. Ireland Parliament

1920s1920s North: British rule North: British rule

South: IrelandSouth: Ireland

19491949 Irish full republic Irish full republic

British government makesBritish government makes promises to Northern Ireland Parliament promises to Northern Ireland Parliament

1960s Civil Rights1960s Civil Rights 19611961

Riots in N. IrelandRiots in N. Ireland

British army deployedBritish army deployed

Irish Republican ArmyIrish Republican Army

Civilian or IRA? Civilian or IRA?

19681968 Riots in N. IrelandRiots in N. Ireland

RUC (British police) RUC (British police)

Irish Catholic youth Irish Catholic youth

RUC/IRA armed conflictRUC/IRA armed conflict

19691969 Official IRA: political Official IRA: political

Provisional IRA: hard-line indepencence campaignProvisional IRA: hard-line indepencence campaign

1970s Violence1970s Violence IRA IRA

““The British Army is a foreign army on Irish soil.”The British Army is a foreign army on Irish soil.” Organize rioting Catholic youthOrganize rioting Catholic youth Kill British Police with booby-trap bombsKill British Police with booby-trap bombs

KillingsKillings Catholic and Protestant civilians Catholic and Protestant civilians Paramilitary membersParamilitary members British soldiers and policeBritish soldiers and police

“ “Revenge Acts”Revenge Acts” Human, car & letter bombsHuman, car & letter bombs Railway stations & airportsRailway stations & airports Restaraunts & storesRestaraunts & stores

Attacks & TalksAttacks & Talks 1980s1980s

Attacks on British mainland & abroadAttacks on British mainland & abroad

Early 1990sEarly 1990s Battle-related deaths decreaseBattle-related deaths decrease

British & Irish informal talksBritish & Irish informal talks

IRA secretly meets British govtIRA secretly meets British govt

August 1994August 1994 IRA ceasefireIRA ceasefire

Negotiation DeadlockNegotiation Deadlock 19951995

International attention International attention

President Clinton to N. IrelandPresident Clinton to N. Ireland

19961996 British fail to negotiateBritish fail to negotiate

Another IRA bombing campaignAnother IRA bombing campaign

19971997 negotiation process revived negotiation process revived

hostilities stophostilities stop

British to negotiate if IRA ceasefireBritish to negotiate if IRA ceasefire

IRA hardliners bomb police stationsIRA hardliners bomb police stations

Majority for PeaceMajority for Peace

1998 1998

““The Belfast Agreement” The Belfast Agreement” 71% in Northern Ireland 71% in Northern Ireland

51% Northern Irish Protestants 51% Northern Irish Protestants

99% Catholics99% Catholics

19991999

““Good Friday Agreement”Good Friday Agreement” Difficulty convincing Difficulty convincing

smaller factions to joinsmaller factions to join

Decommission Decommission of Weaponsof Weapons

20012001 IRA refused to decommission weapons IRA refused to decommission weapons

British government pressureBritish government pressure

IRA began putting up armsIRA began putting up arms

20022002 British government unsatisfiedBritish government unsatisfied

Installed direct rule from LondonInstalled direct rule from London

20052005 IRA militants end armed campaignIRA militants end armed campaign

Decommissioning officially completeDecommissioning officially complete

British continued suspension of N. Ireland institutionsBritish continued suspension of N. Ireland institutions

Ongoing TensionsOngoing TensionsAfter almost a thousand years, After almost a thousand years,

the situation in Northern Irelandthe situation in Northern Ireland

continues as one of the longest continues as one of the longest

conflicts in history.conflicts in history.

SourcesSources 2008 Department of Peace and Conflict Resource2008 Department of Peace and Conflict Resource

www.pcr.uu.se/database/conflictSummary.php?ID=131www.pcr.uu.se/database/conflictSummary.php?ID=131

DidYouKnow.orgDidYouKnow.org

www.didyouknow.org/story/northernireland.htmwww.didyouknow.org/story/northernireland.htm