Conflicts in Multi-Ethnic Countries

Northern Ireland: The Troubles and the Impact of the Conflict

The Troubles

• Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) formed in 1967

• Formed by middle-class Catholics• Adopted non-violent methods to protest• Individuals from trade unions, political

parties and university students involved• The Civil Rights Movement organised by

NICRA in 1968 was the beginning of ‘The Troubles.

The Troubles

• During the marches, fighting broke out between Catholics, Protestant and Police

• British govt sends in troops to keep the peace (Aug 1969)

• Troops first seen as protectors

• Good relations did not last long

The Troubles

• N. Ireland govt introduced ‘internment laws’ (Aug 1971)

• British Army had power to arrest, interrogate and detain anyone without trial

• Catholics lost faith in the British Army when the army began searching their homes and arresting people

The Troubles

• 15,000 people participated in an illegal, peaceful march (Sunday, 30 Jan, 1972)

• British soldiers shot at protesters

• 13 dead, many wounded

• The incident was known as Bloody Sunday

• It was a turning point and Catholics were greatly angered

The Troubles

• After 1972, more violence occurred between Protestants and Catholics

• Catholic homes and businesses were bombed

• Local police did not stop the violence

• British army continued to raid Catholic homes

The Troubles

• Catholics turned to the Irish Republican Army (IRA) for help

• IRA attacked British soldiers and Protestant businesses.

• Between 1969 and 1993, more than 3500 people were killed

Impact of the Conflict

• 10.1 Social Segregation

• 10.2 Declining Economy

• 10.3 Political Reform

10.1 Social Segregation

• People in N. Ireland grew up in an atmosphere of tension and violence

• Protestants and Catholics lived, worked and played apart from one another

• Young people in N. Ireland could grow up not having met someone from the other community

• Lack of understanding between the two groups

10.2 Declining Economy

• Economy of N. Ireland has been affected

• The conflict has discouraged domestic and foreign investment

• Foreign-owned factories closed down due to high-costs

• Threat of bombings drove large manufacturers away

10.3 Political Reform

• The civil rights marches put pressure on the N. Ireland govt

• N. Ireland govt announced sweeping reforms to local govt

• Abolished unfair voting system

• Reviewed schemes for allocating government-owned houses