1. Devolution in Northern Ireland

2. History 1601: England completed the conquest of Ireland
Plantations were established to anglicise the territory
the Crown confiscated land and handed it to Scottish and English settlers
English presence began in 1171, but it was only in 1601 that England completed the conquest of Ireland – BUT STILL AIN IRISH PARLIAMENT IN PLACE which governed Ireland
Plantations were established to anglicise the territory which attracted
the Crown confiscated land and handed it to Scottish and English settlers (mostly Protestant)
This was particularly successful in Ulster (North East) – meant that this area had a different religion and cultural identity, much closer to Britain than Ireland

3. Union
1800: the Act of Union created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The Irish Parliament was abolished
1870’s > Campaign for Home Rule
supported by the Catholic majority
feared by the Protestant minority
1916: The Easter Uprising violently quashed
: The War of Independence
1800: the Act of Union created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The Irish Parliament was abolished, Ireland was governed from Westminster
1870’s > Campaign for Home Rule (reestablishment of Irish Parliament), supported by the Catholic majority but feared by the Protestant minority
1916: The Easter Uprising > a rebellion against British rule, violently quashed > leaders executed, increased the pressure for Home Rule
: The War of Independence

4. The creation of Northern Ireland
1921: The Irish Free State created
Gaelic, Catholic, rural
Governed by the Irish parliament in Dublin
1949: Ireland officially became an independent republic
1921: The Irish Free State created
Gaelic, Catholic, rural
Governed by the Irish parliament in Dublin
In 1949 officially became a Republic
However, Northern Ireland was partitioned from the rest:
the 6 North Eastern Counties
Protestant and Unionist (wanted to retain links w GB)
“A Protestant State for Protestant People”
Governed by Unionists in Stormont
Catholics suffered discrimination – especially in relation to housing and employment
From the start, some Catholics in the north and south did not accept this division
“However, Northern Ireland was partitioned from the rest:
A Protestant State for Protestant People”
Governed by Unionists in Stormont
Catholics suffered discrimination

5. Civil rights, sectarian violence
1960s: Catholic youths in Ulster marched for civil rights and an end to discrimination but Unionists opposed change
Sectarian divisions increased and paramilitary groups became increasingly active
1960s: Catholic youths marched for civil rights and an end to discrimination but Unionists opposed change
Sectarian divisions increased and paramilitary groups became increasingly active
Provional IRA - nationalist
UDA – loyalist/unionist

6. The start of The Troubles
In 1969, British troops were deployed in Northern Ireland
Exacerbated tensions
During a civil rights march in 1972, 14 civilians were shot dead by British soldiers
In 1969, British troops were deployed in Northern Ireland
Supposed to calm the situation but exascerbated tensions
During a civil rights march in 1972, 14 civilians were shot dead by British soldiers
> Known as??? Bloody Sunday
In response to growing unrest, direct rule was introduced > N Ireland was no longer governed from Stormont but from Westminster
In response to growing unrest, direct rule was introduced (1972)

7. The Troubles
1970’s to 1997: violent conflict waged by Unionist and Republican paramilitary groups
1970’s to 1997: violent conflict waged by Unionist and Loyalist paramilitary groups > groups had different religions, in no way a religious conflict
Unionist – defending union with UK
Loyalists/Republicans – wanted a united ireland
1970’s to 1997: violent conflict waged by Unionist and Loyalist paramilitary groups
3,500 deaths, around half were civilians
2% of the population in Northern Ireland were injured or killed
Paramlilitaries used violence and fear to control their own communities > punishment beatings
The Northern Irish economy collapsed, widespread poverty and unemployment
Bombings and shootings also took place on the British mainland

8. The Troubles (1969 – 1997) 3,500 deaths, around half were civilians
2% of the population of Northern Ireland were injured or killed
Paramilitaries used violence and fear to control their own communities > punishment beatings
The Northern Irish economy collapsed, there was widespread poverty and unemployment
Bombings and shootings also took place on the British mainland
3,500 deaths, around half were civilians
2% of the population of Northern Ireland were injured or killed
Life was very hard – in addition to violence from the other side, Paramilitaries used violence and fear to control their own communities > punishment beatings were handed down to drug dealers and petty criminals, or those whose behaviour the paramilitaries disapproved of. Those suspected of working with the enemy would be shot.
The Northern Irish economy collapsed, there was widespread poverty and unemployment
Bombings and shootings also took place on the British mainland

9. barricades

10. The Good Friday Agreement
By the mid-nineties, the people of Northen Ireland were tired of violence
The peace process led to the Good Friday Agreement (1998)
Provided for a power-sharing Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive at Stormont with many devolved powers
Unionists and Republicans always share power
The door to a united Ireland was left open
By the mid-nineties, the people of Northen Ireland were tired of violence
The peace process led to the Good Friday Agreement (1998) = the Belfats agreement
Provided for a power-sharing Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive at Stormont with many devolved powers (list in brochure)
Unionists and Republicans always share power
The door to a united Ireland was left open > will be possible if at some point in the future a majority of voters in N ireland and in Republic of Ireland want it

11. Since 1998
All border checkpoints between North and South have been removed
There has been economic growth (partly due to EU funding)…
…and relative peace between communities
Tensions remain but the situation is significantly better than during the Troubles
All border checkpoints between North and South have been removed
There has been economic growth (partly due to EU funding)…
…and relative peace between communities
Tensions remain but the situation is significantly better than during the Troubles

12. During the Troubles, Vehicles leaving Newry, County Down towards the border would pass through a permanent checkpoint
During the Troubles, shoppers in Belfast had to pass through security gates to enter Royal Avenue, one of the city's main shopping streets. Bags would often be searched for explosives by police. The gates would be closed every evening at 6pm.

13. Brexit – trouble ahead? Northern Ireland voted against Brexit (56%)
Brexit raises issues in relation to:
citizenship
national identity
the economy
the border
Northern Ireland voted against Brexit (56%) – split Unionists/Republicans
Brexit raises issues in relation to:
citizenship
national identity
the economy
the borderMany unions voted in favour, most loyalists/Catholics voted against