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] ]

== Overview ==


In general terms, the conflict was between Unionists (or "loyalists"), who want the province to remain in the ], and Nationalists (or "republicans") who wish the province to become part of a united ]. Generally speaking (but not in all cases) Unionists are part of the ] majority of Northern Ireland, while Nationalist are usually ]. Catholics thought they were being treated unfairly and pressed for wide reforms, while Protestants were wary of sharing power with Catholics and often did not want to compromise. In general terms, the conflict was between Unionists (or "loyalists"), who want the province to remain in the ], and Nationalists (or "republicans") who wish the province to become part of a united ]. Generally speaking (but not in all cases) Unionists are part of the ] majority of Northern Ireland, while Nationalist are usually ]. Catholics thought they were being treated unfairly and pressed for wide reforms, while Protestants were wary of sharing power with Catholics and often did not want to compromise.
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A policing review, part of the ], has led to some reforms of policing, including more rigorous accountability, measures to increase the number of Catholic Officers, and the renaming of the RUC to the ] to avoid using the word "Royal". A policing review, part of the ], has led to some reforms of policing, including more rigorous accountability, measures to increase the number of Catholic Officers, and the renaming of the RUC to the ] to avoid using the word "Royal".

== Significant groups ==


Some significant groups are: Some significant groups are:


Nationalist or Republican political parties: === Nationalist or Republican political parties ===
*The ] (SDLP) *The ] (SDLP)
*] (President ]) - This party has been described as having an "insight into the thinking of" the republican paramilitary group, the ]. *] (President ]) - This party has been described as having an "insight into the thinking of" the republican paramilitary group, the ].


Unionist or loyalist political parties: === Unionist or loyalist political parties ===
*The ] *The ]
*The ] (Leader ]) *The ] (Leader ])
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*Bob Macartney's Party *Bob Macartney's Party


Other parties: === Other parties ===
*The ] *The ]
*The ] *The ]
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(Neither the ] nor the ] organises in Northern Ireland) (Neither the ] nor the ] organises in Northern Ireland)


⚫ === Republican paramilitary/terrorist groups ===

⚫ Republican paramilitary/terrorist groups:
*The ] *The ]
*The ] *The ]
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(See ] for a discussion of how some of these are related). (See ] for a discussion of how some of these are related).


Loyalist paramilitary/terrorist groups: === Loyalist paramilitary/terrorist groups ===
*The ] *The ]
*The ] *The ]

== Bloody Sunday ==


] in 1972 was one of the key events during The Troubles. From 1971 until 1975, under the ] there was ] (see ]). ] in 1972 was one of the key events during The Troubles. From 1971 until 1975, under the ] there was ] (see ]).

== Current situation ] ==


Currently, the governments of ] and the ] are working together closely and peacefully to seek a solution and have been doing so for some time. There is no simple solution to The Troubles and it can only be hoped that the current ] ceasefire holds and that relative peace is maintained in Northern Ireland for the sake of all its inhabitants. Currently, the governments of ] and the ] are working together closely and peacefully to seek a solution and have been doing so for some time. There is no simple solution to The Troubles and it can only be hoped that the current ] ceasefire holds and that relative peace is maintained in Northern Ireland for the sake of all its inhabitants.
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It is also reported that punishment beatings by IRA related groups continue. In response, the UUP recently called for the Provisional IRA to be disbanded by January 18th 2003. Also of note is the recent internecine feuds within individual Loyalist paramilitary groups and between separate Loyalist paramilitary groups . It is also reported that punishment beatings by IRA related groups continue. In response, the UUP recently called for the Provisional IRA to be disbanded by January 18th 2003. Also of note is the recent internecine feuds within individual Loyalist paramilitary groups and between separate Loyalist paramilitary groups .


== External links ==

'''Research Material'''



*http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/ *http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/

Revision as of 17:42, 19 September 2003


The Troubles is a neutral term for the period of violence between various factions in Northern Ireland from the late 1960s until the mid-1990s, up to the ceasefires and the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Around three to four thousand people have died as a result of the violence.

File:Www.wesleyjohnston.com-users-ireland-maps-deaths troubles by area.gif

Overview

In general terms, the conflict was between Unionists (or "loyalists"), who want the province to remain in the United Kingdom, and Nationalists (or "republicans") who wish the province to become part of a united Ireland. Generally speaking (but not in all cases) Unionists are part of the Protestant majority of Northern Ireland, while Nationalist are usually Catholic. Catholics thought they were being treated unfairly and pressed for wide reforms, while Protestants were wary of sharing power with Catholics and often did not want to compromise.

There is a common distinction between the terms Unionist and Nationalist on the one hand, and Loyalist and Republican on the other. In this context, "Loyalist" and "Republican" generally imply support for violent methods and for paramilitary organisations, whereas the labels "Unionist" and "Nationalist" are normally reserved for those who favour constitutional politics.

Violence was carried out by various groups, including the Provisional Irish Republican Army (also known as the IRA or "The Provos") and the Irish National Liberation Army on the Republican side, and the UVF and the UDA on the Loyalist side. These paramilitary groups also produced splinter-groups and factions, and sometimes used cover names in an attempt at deniability, which confuses the picture further.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), the police force in Northern Ireland, was largely Protestant, not least because police officers living in Nationalist areas were particularly vulnerable to terrorist attack. The lack of Catholic officers in turn increased the sense of alienation in sections of the nationalist community.

A policing review, part of the Good Friday Agreement, has led to some reforms of policing, including more rigorous accountability, measures to increase the number of Catholic Officers, and the renaming of the RUC to the Police Service of Northern Ireland to avoid using the word "Royal".

Significant groups

Some significant groups are:

Nationalist or Republican political parties

Unionist or loyalist political parties

Other parties

(Neither the Labour Party nor the Liberal Democratic Party organises in Northern Ireland)

Republican paramilitary/terrorist groups

(See Irish Republican Army for a discussion of how some of these are related).

Loyalist paramilitary/terrorist groups

Bloody Sunday

The Bloody Sunday in 1972 was one of the key events during The Troubles. From 1971 until 1975, under the Special Powers Act there was Internment (see Long Kesh).

Current situation as of 2003

Currently, the governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom are working together closely and peacefully to seek a solution and have been doing so for some time. There is no simple solution to The Troubles and it can only be hoped that the current paramilitary ceasefire holds and that relative peace is maintained in Northern Ireland for the sake of all its inhabitants.

It is widely held by many in both Britain and Northern Ireland that The Troubles came to an end in the mid-nineties with the various paramilitary cease-fires that were established. The period that came after The Troubles was the Northern Ireland peace process, the Good Friday Agreement.

File:Www.wesleyjohnston.com-users-ireland-maps-drumcree parade.gif

There are however continuing inter-communal tensions that tend to arise in particular during the "Marching Season" when nationalists try to prevent traditional loyalists marches through their neighbourhoods. One particular flashpoint that has caused repeated strife is the Garvagy Road area in Drumcree.

It is also reported that punishment beatings by IRA related groups continue. In response, the UUP recently called for the Provisional IRA to be disbanded by January 18th 2003. Also of note is the recent internecine feuds within individual Loyalist paramilitary groups and between separate Loyalist paramilitary groups .

External links