The Irish Republican Army and the Escalation of Violence

This page focuses on the role of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in The Troubles and the various forms of violence that characterized the conflict. It also explores the complex debate surrounding the classification of groups as terrorists or freedom fighters.

The IRA's mission and goals:

1. To defend Catholics in Northern Ireland
2. To force a unification of Ireland by any means necessary

Definition: The Irish Republican Army (IRA) was a paramilitary organization that sought to end British rule in Northern Ireland and bring about a united Ireland.

The page presents two contrasting views on the IRA and similar groups:

As freedom fighters:

• They had an honorable goal that justified their actions.
• Violence was seen as a last resort to gain attention.
• Their actions were necessary to free Ireland from colonial rule.
• They were responding to terror tactics used against them by the British.

As terrorists:

• They had no official legal or military status.
• Their methods, including killing random people, were considered terrorism.
• They brought unnecessary suffering to innocent people.
• Violence should not be used to fight violence, and other methods of change should be sought.

Highlight: The debate over whether groups like the IRA should be classified as terrorists or freedom fighters often depends on one's perspective and definition of these terms.

The violence during The Troubles took many forms:

1. Massacres
2. Sectarian violence (murders, beatings)
3. Street fights
4. Sniper attacks
5. Bombings
6. Roadblocks
7. Internment without trial

Example: The Guildford Pub Bombing and Bloody Sunday are two infamous events that exemplify the violence of the period.

The page also mentions the political arm of the republican movement, Sinn Féin, which organized itself as a political party.

Vocabulary: Sectarian violence refers to conflict based on religious or political differences.

The lasting impact of the violence is emphasized, with many people still struggling to come to terms with the enormity of what happened during The Troubles.

Quote: "People still struggling with enormity of violence today."

This page underscores the complexity of the conflict, the various perspectives on the use of violence, and the long-lasting trauma inflicted on Northern Irish society by The Troubles.

The Creation of Northern Ireland and the Onset of Troubles

This page delves into the events leading to the creation of Northern Ireland and the subsequent outbreak of The Troubles. It highlights the complex political and social dynamics that fueled the conflict.

The early 20th century saw increasing pressure on the British government to grant independence to Ireland. However, this process was complicated by the differing aspirations of various groups:

1. Protestants in the north wanted to maintain union with Britain.
2. Catholics, particularly in the north, sought independence and a united Ireland.

Highlight: The 1916 Easter Rising marked a significant attempt to overthrow British rule in Ireland, leading to increased tensions between Catholics and Protestants.

The situation escalated rapidly:

• Civil war-like clashes erupted.
• Peaceful demonstrations often turned violent, resulting in deaths and injuries.
• The British army was deployed to maintain order.

Quote: "Tensions burst into civil war, protest turned into 3 day riot - British army sent in."

In 1921, a compromise was reached:

• Ireland was partitioned into two sections: the predominantly Protestant North (Northern Ireland) and the Catholic South (which later became the Republic of Ireland).
• Northern Ireland remained part of Great Britain, while the rest of the island gained independence.

This partition had significant consequences for both communities:

For Catholics in Northern Ireland:

• Faced discrimination in jobs and political representation.
• Experienced restrictions on civil liberties.

For Protestants in Northern Ireland:

• Dominated local councils and other important institutions.
• Maintained a position of power and privilege.

Example: Catholics were often excluded from certain jobs or faced limitations in political participation, leading to a sense of second-class citizenship.

These inequalities eventually led to the civil rights campaign of the late 1960s, which was strongly supported by Northern Ireland's Catholic population. The campaign's aims were not initially about uniting Ireland, but rather about securing equal rights for Catholics within Northern Ireland.

Vocabulary: The civil rights campaign sought to address issues such as voting rights, fair employment, good housing, and equality under the law.

However, many Protestants saw this movement as a threat to their status, leading to increased tensions and setting the stage for the period known as The Troubles.