The Troubles

From 1921 to 1972, Northern Ireland had its own parliament in Belfast, the capital. Politically and economically the province was controlled by Protestants, who were the majority of the population. In the late 1960s, there were large, peaceful demonstrations by Catholics who wanted better political representation, jobs and housing. Protestant reaction to the demonstrations was strong and often violent. In 1969, British soldiers were sent to Northern Ireland to help keep the peace.

In 1972, 13 Catholics were killed by British soldiers during a civil rights march. This incident, known as Bloody Sunday, led to even greater problems between Catholics and Protestants. This long period of violence since the 1960s was called the Troubles; more than 3,000 people died and 30,000 were injured. Terrorist violence has been caused by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on the Catholic side, and groups including Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) on the Protestant side.

Talks between all the political groups, and including the British and Irish governments resulted in the Good Friday Agreement of April, 1998 and the possibility of a Northern Ireland parliament again.

Michael Vaughan-Rees, Geraldine Sweeney, Picot Cassidy: In Britain; Cornelsen Verlag, 2000, page 88