Title: 1971 - The Troubles in Northern Ireland

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About: In the early 70s an explosion of political violence occurred in Northern Ireland.

 

Known as The Troubles, the conflict pitted Northern Ireland's republican nationalists — a largely Catholic faction seeking to break free from British rule and instead unite with the Republic of Ireland — against the predominantly Protestant unionists/loyalists who sought to keep Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom.

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The period between 1969 and 1972 was the worst period of violence, with riots, assassinations, arson, and bombings a shamefully regular occurrence. This was due to the hardening of attitudes on both sides, the emergence of the newly energised Irish Republican Army (IRA), and the growing strength of Loyalist paramilitary groups like the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Ulster Defence Association (UDA).

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There were also many incidents of killings by the police and British Army, who were given sweeping powers which allowed them to arrest and detain suspects without trial. In 1971, the Army rounded-up and interned 342 men. All except one were Catholic. No UVF or UDA men were interned until nearly two years later, even though they killed over 100 people between them.

 

Rioting and violence continued throughout the decade, especially in Derry and Belfast, with atrocities committed on all sides. The local and national governments compounded the issue, by maintaining the stance that the civil unrest was merely a law and order problem that could be solved by greater security measures.

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Decade: 1970s

Year: 1971

Region: Europe

Country: UK + Ireland

Politics: Protest

Politics: Imperialism

Conflict: Civil War

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Type: Historical Event

Impact: 8

Artist: Mert Genccinar

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Group: Genesis

Number: 71/100

Price: 0.8 ETH

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