The Troubles in Northern Ireland

Modern World History :

Coursework

Background

• For centuries history of trouble between the English and the Irish

• From 1800 Ireland under direct rule from Westminster

• Throughout 19th century Catholics fighting for independence

The Easter Rising, 1916

• By 1900 many nationalists wanted Home Rule

• In 1916 rebellion organised to make Ireland completely free

• A number of rebels were hanged

• This turned many Irish people against the British government

War between the IRA and the UK

• More violence followed

• The ‘Black and Tans’ fought the IRA

• Both sides carried out horrible killings

• By 1921 both sides were ready for peace

Partition,1921

• Government of Ireland Act, 1920 aimed to restore peace

• Ireland to be split temporarily into 2 countries

• Each to have Home Rule but to be separate

• Council of Ireland would be set up to work out how to re-unite the 2 countries

Two countries

• Following partition the 6 northern counties of Ulster became Northern Ireland

• The remaining 26 counties formed The Irish Free State

• The Unionists in the North were not entirely happy but accepted partition

• Many Nationalists wanted to fight on

What did Partition mean to the 2 sides?

• For the Unionists it was a chance to increase Protestant control in the North

• By altering political boundaries Unionists ensured they would always be in charge

• Protestants would be favoured• Catholics were thought of as the enemy and

were treated as second class citizens

What did Partition mean to the 2 sides?

• For the Nationalists in the North it meant oppression by the Protestants

• They were excluded from anything to do with running the country

• Jobs and new houses were given out depending on your religion

• For many the struggle to unite Ireland went on