Northern Ireland Conflict Overview 1969

A period of intense violence and rioting across Northern Ireland during the summer of 1969, involving Loyalists and Nationalists.

A parade that triggered violence in Derry in 1969, leading to significant rioting known as the "Battle of the Bogside".

Acts of violence by Loyalist groups, often including arson and property damage, leading to displacement of Nationalists.

Events in Derry in August 1969 with major rioting, starting after the Apprentice Boys' parade, briefly calmed by Irish troops, escalated again.

Escalated conflict in all parts of Belfast during 1969, characterized by clashes between Loyalists and Nationalists, and significant property damage.

Nationalists, some unionists, the British government, and the Alliance Party supported the 1973 power-sharing executive at Sunningdale.

Unionists (like the DUP), some other unionists, and groups like the Ulster Vanguard opposed the 1973 power-sharing agreement at Sunningdale.

Led by Ian Paisley, the DUP opposed the power-sharing executive at Sunningdale due to the Irish dimension.

A political alliance formed by groups opposing the Sunningdale Agreement.

A government structure where power is shared between different groups (e.g., unionists and nationalists).

The Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) began a hunger strike in 1980, aiming for Special Category Status (SCS) from the British government.

In 1981, the hunger strike employed a staggered approach, with prisoners joining at intervals instead of all at once, to prolong its impact and gain wider public pressure.

While on a hunger strike, Bobby Sands, a PIRA commander, was elected to the British Parliament (Westminster) as an anti-H-Block candidate for Fermanagh/South Tyrone, though unable to take his seat.

A status sought by Republican prisoners to obtain more favorable treatment, notably regarding their conditions, and possibly reduce the severity of their time within the system.

Despite significant publicity and support, the 1981 hunger strike failed to change British government policy on prisoner status.

The hunger strikes alienated Nationalists in Northern Ireland further. They felt that Thatcher's approach was overly forceful.

The hunger strikes led to increased support for the Republican movement and the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA).

Unionists were relieved that the British Government didn't give in to the demands of the hunger strikers, whom they viewed as terrorists. They were concerned about growing IRA support and violence.

No concessions were granted during the hunger strikes. However, after the strikes ended in October 1981, the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Prior, announced concessions.

These concessions included: prisoners wearing their own clothes, a 50% reduction in prison sentences, more prison visits allowed, and more interaction among prisoners.

A status granted to prisoners in Northern Ireland in 1972 who claimed they broke the law for political reasons, granting them privileges like separate housing, wearing own clothes, and freedom from prison work.

Individuals captured during armed conflict, given special protections under international law.

After March 1976, anyone convicted in Northern Ireland, regardless of their political motivations, would be treated the same as other prisoners – no special privileges.

Special Category Status allowed prisoners to have separate housing, wear their own clothes, avoid penal work, and receive more visits and food parcels from family and friends.

The removal of Special Category Status aimed to treat all prisoners equally, regardless of their political motives, potentially reducing tensions and promoting fairness in the prison system.

A member of the British Parliament who died during a hunger strike in 1981, protesting for political prisoner status.

A series of protests by Irish Republican prisoners demanding political prisoner status, which resulted in the deaths of ten prisoners.

Despite international pressure, the British government refused to grant political prisoner status to the strikers, leading to their deaths.

Many countries and organizations urged the British government to compromise with the hunger strikers, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Following the deaths of the hunger strikers, violence erupted inside the Maze prison leading to the deaths of 61 people.

A policy of reducing the British Army's presence in Northern Ireland and increasing the size of the RUC and UDR, aiming to portray the conflict as an internal Irish issue.

A policy that removed Special Category Status (SCS) for those convicted of terrorist offenses in Northern Ireland, treating them as ordinary criminals.

A protest by Republican prisoners in Northern Ireland, refusing to wear prison uniform and clothing, and instead wearing only blankets, to highlight their political status.

A protest by Republican prisoners in Northern Ireland, where they smeared their cell walls with excrement, to highlight their dissatisfaction with prison conditions and the lack of SCS.

Demonstrations organized by supporters of Republican prisoners in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, to try and gain support for their demand for Special Category Status.

The British government's direct control over Northern Ireland, implemented in 1972 after the suspension of the Stormont Parliament.

The shooting of unarmed civilians in Derry, NI, on January 30, 1972, by British paratroopers, sparking public outrage and deepening distrust.

The British government introduced Direct Rule, taking direct control of Northern Ireland. A new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland was appointed, and decisions were made in Westminster.

The British government believed it needed to take control of security and law and order in Northern Ireland after the events of Bloody Sunday and the failure of the Stormont government to address the issues.

William Whitelaw was appointed as the first Secretary of State for Northern Ireland after the introduction of Direct Rule in 1972.

A march organized by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association in Derry on October 5, 1968, that aimed to protest inequalities in housing policy and was met with violence by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).

A violent ambush of a civil rights march by loyalist protesters on January 4, 1969, which occurred near Burntollet Bridge. The RUC appeared to do little to stop the attack, further raising tensions in Northern Ireland.

An inquiry set up by the Northern Ireland government in January 1969 to investigate the increasing violence in the province.

An election called by Prime Minister Terence O'Neill in 1969 to assess public opinion on his handling of the civil rights movement and the increasing violence in Northern Ireland.

Brian Faulkner, a close associate of Terence O'Neill, resigned from the government in protest against the violence and the government's handling of the situation. He believed O'Neill was not strong enough to deal with the crisis.

The implementation of direct rule in Northern Ireland in 1972 led to a strong negative reaction from Unionists. They viewed it as a threat to their identity and a step towards a united Ireland. They protested against the removal of Stormont, increased support for Loyalist paramilitaries, and saw a rise in sectarian violence, especially in Belfast.

Nationalists generally welcomed the end of Stormont, seeing it as an opportunity for a new political beginning. The SDLP and the Irish government hoped for a fresh start. While the IRA had achieved a goal by destroying Stormont, they saw Direct Rule as evidence of continued British involvement.

The introduction of direct rule in Northern Ireland led to an increase in support for Loyalist paramilitaries. This was due to Unionist fears about a united Ireland and their perception that direct rule weakened their position. Loyalist paramilitaries became more active, leading to an upsurge in violence and sectarian killings.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), led by Ian Paisley, saw a rise in its popularity in the wake of direct rule. This was largely due to the DUP's strong opposition to the perceived threat to Northern Ireland's union with Great Britain and their vocal stance against direct rule.

Direct rule was implemented to restore peace and stability in Northern Ireland after the violence and instability of the late 1960s and early 1970s. However, it did not lead to a lasting peace. The removal of Stormont caused a strong negative reaction from Unionists, who viewed it as a threat to their identity and a step towards a united Ireland. This led to an increase in support for Loyalist paramilitaries and sectarian violence, ultimately exacerbating the conflict.