essay - evaluation of the reasons for the developing crisis in northern ireland to 1968

disclaimer: this is a shit and shorter version of my real one. i was using this to revise

other factors besides unionist political ascendancy, cultural and political differences and the role of the ira include... economic issues and the issue of civil rights

after the anglo-irish war ended in 1921, ireland was partitioned into northern ireland and the irsh free state majority of northern ireland was protestant, but a sizeable catholic minority who felt discriminated against (second class citizens). by the late 1960's, tensions between catholics and protetsants grew, leading to violent clashes and the outbreak of the troubles

unionist political ascendancy: the politics of northern ireland was dominated by protestants/ unionists and the ulster unionist party (uup) was the largest party in stormont. the electoral system was manipulated to favour protestants over catholics/ nationalists who boycotted elections. the city of derry always returned a unionist mp despite having a catholic majority. attempts to reform the system by pm terrence o'neil 'one man one vote'. this is an important reason as unionist domination alienated catholics from the political system and caused resentment. this is a less important reason as some attempts were being made to reform the system and made it fairer for catholics

cultural and political differences: catholics in northern ireland self identified as irish, displayed irish flags and supported irish culture/sport - easter rising commemorations/ gaa and cliltonville fc; supported nationalist/ republican parties e.g. sinn fein. unionists self identified as british, displayed british flags and supported british culture/sport - battle of the somme; supported unionist parties such as the uup and later, the democratic unionists (dup). this is an important reason as they were very symbolic of deep rooted divisions and perceived discrimination which created hatred between the two groups. there were also fears amongst the protestant community that their culture was being diluted by the growing catholic population and that they would eventually become the minority. this is a less important reason as mostly, communities lived side by side despite differences - no peace walls before 1969

the role of the ira: the ire emerged in the 60's and was led by cathal goulding. it aimed to protect catholic communities from police brutality (ruc) and attacks by protestant mobs in the falls and shankhill areas of west belfast. an ruc police van and unionist political party offices were petrol bombed by militant members of the ira. more militant members of the ira formed a breakaway pira led by martian mcguinness - attacked ruc officers and police stations as violence increased. this is an important reason as increasing ira militancy from the mid 1960's led to the recreation of unionist paramilitary groups (uvf) which brought potential for serious conflict. this is a less important reason as the ira were largely passive and claimed to be a political rather than a paramilitary organisation in the 1960's. the ira and pira were not endorsed by the majority of the catholic community who wished for a peaceful solution