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'''Northern Ireland''' (Irish: ''Tuaisceart Éireann'', Ulster-Scots: ''Norlin Airlann'') is one of the constituent countries of the [[United Kingdom]], which also includes [[England]], [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]].  Geographically, Northern Ireland occupies the northern portion of the island of [[Ireland]], with the [[Republic of Ireland]] occupying the remainder of the island.

'''Northern Ireland''' (Irish: ''Tuaisceart Éireann'', Ulster-Scots: ''Norlin Airlann'') is one of the constituent countries of the [[United Kingdom]], which also includes [[England]], [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]].  Geographically, Northern Ireland occupies the northern portion of the island of [[Ireland]], with the [[Republic of Ireland]] occupying the remainder of the island. The capital of Northern Ireland is [[Belfast]].

 

== Early Years ==

=== Early Years ===

Northern Ireland was created by the Government of Ireland Act 1920 and its existence effectively confirmed by the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1922, which formally concluded the Irish War of Independence. The country comprises six out of the nine counties in the province of [[Ulster]] - the six which contained majority Protestant (or balanced) populations in 1920. The three counties of Ulster with clear Catholic majorities became part of the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland was governed from Parliament Buildings at [[Stormont]] in [[Belfast]]; Northern Ireland also elected Members of Parliament to serve at the UK Parliament in [[London]]. However, a minority on both sides of the Irish border refused to accept the partition of Ireland and continued to fight the British, largely with terrorist activities.   

Northern Ireland was created by the Government of Ireland Act 1920 and its existence effectively confirmed by the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1922, which formally concluded the Irish War of Independence. The country comprises six out of the nine counties in the province of [[Ulster]] - the six which contained majority Protestant (or balanced) populations in 1920. The three counties of Ulster with clear Catholic majorities became part of the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland was governed from Parliament Buildings at [[Stormont]] in [[Belfast]]; Northern Ireland also elected Members of Parliament to serve at the UK Parliament in [[London]]. However, a minority on both sides of the Irish border refused to accept the partition of Ireland and continued to fight the British, largely with terrorist activities.   

Governments of Northern Ireland were widely criticized for anti-Catholic policies, particularly during its first 40 years.  The country's first prime minister, [[James Craig]], once famously described it as "a Protestant parliament for a Protestant people."<ref>Bardon, J. (1992).  A History of Ulster.  The Blackstaff Press, Belfast, pp. 539.</ref>

Governments of Northern Ireland were widely criticized for anti-Catholic policies, particularly during its first 40 years.  The country's first prime minister, [[James Craig]], once famously described it as "a Protestant parliament for a Protestant people."<ref>Bardon, J. (1992).  A History of Ulster.  The Blackstaff Press, Belfast, pp. 539.</ref>

== Civil Rights Movement ==

=== Civil Rights Movement ===

During the late 1960s, partially inspired by the civil rights movement in the [[United States]], Northern Ireland Catholics began to protest against perceived discrimination by the government.  Protests were initially led by the [[Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association]], or NICRA, which was founded in January 1967. NICRA's demands included repeal of the Special Powers Act, the end of the paramilitary B Specials police force, an end to the gerrymandering in local elections, and an end to discrimination in terms of government housing and government employment.

During the late 1960s, partially inspired by the civil rights movement in the [[United States]], Northern Ireland Catholics began to protest against perceived discrimination by the government.  Protests were initially led by the [[Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association]], or NICRA, which was founded in January 1967. NICRA's demands included repeal of the Special Powers Act, the end of the paramilitary B Specials police force, an end to the gerrymandering in local elections, and an end to discrimination in terms of government housing and government employment.

Protests typically took the form of marches or other demonstrations.  One of the most important protests took place on January 1, 1969, when a group from the student People's Democracy organization organized a march from Belfast to [[Derry]], intended to imitate [[Martin Luther King, Jr.]]'s marches from Selma to Montgomery.  The march was repeatedly attacked by unionists (People wanting to retain the 'Union' of Northern Ireland with Great Britain), including off-duty policemen.  The most intense violence occurred at Burntollet Bridge, where the marchers were attacked by 200 unionists while police did little to intervene.

Protests typically took the form of marches or other demonstrations.  One of the most important protests took place on January 1, 1969, when a group from the student People's Democracy organization organized a march from Belfast to [[Derry]], intended to imitate [[Martin Luther King, Jr.]]'s marches from Selma to Montgomery.  The march was repeatedly attacked by unionists (People wanting to retain the 'Union' of Northern Ireland with Great Britain), including off-duty policemen.  The most intense violence occurred at Burntollet Bridge, where the marchers were attacked by 200 unionists while police did little to intervene.

== The Troubles ==

=== The Troubles ===

"The Troubles" refers to a 30-year period of terrorism and civil unrest.  The Troubles are generally considered to have begun with civil rights movement and the violent unionist response.  Northern Ireland prime minister Terrence O'Neill at first responded favorably to the demands of the protestors, but this attitude was decried by other unionists, including [[Ian Paisley]].  Many unionists believed that NICRA was controlled by the [[IRA]].  Following the violence at Burntollet Bridge, nationalists in the city of Derry began to erect barricades to protect themselves.  This led to the Battle of the Bogside between nationalists and police prior to a unionist march that was scheduled to pass the nationalist Bogside area of the city.  The Battle of the Bogside lasted from August 12 to 14, 1969 before British troops were called to resolve the situation.  In the meantime, fierce rioting broke out in other parts of the country, including Belfast, Newry, and Strabane.  In total, 7 people were killed and 750 injured during the unrest in August 1969, and 1,500 Catholic families and 500 Protestant families were forced from their homes.  The Northern Ireland government then requested the presence of British troops throughout the country to keep order.

"The Troubles" refers to a 30-year period of terrorism and civil unrest.  The Troubles are generally considered to have begun with civil rights movement and the violent unionist response.  Northern Ireland prime minister Terrence O'Neill at first responded favorably to the demands of the protestors, but this attitude was decried by other unionists, including [[Ian Paisley]].  Many unionists believed that NICRA was controlled by the [[IRA]].  Following the violence at Burntollet Bridge, nationalists in the city of Derry began to erect barricades to protect themselves.  This led to the Battle of the Bogside between nationalists and police prior to a unionist march that was scheduled to pass the nationalist Bogside area of the city.  The Battle of the Bogside lasted from August 12 to 14, 1969 before British troops were called to resolve the situation.  In the meantime, fierce rioting broke out in other parts of the country, including Belfast, Newry, and Strabane.  In total, 7 people were killed and 750 injured during the unrest in August 1969, and 1,500 Catholic families and 500 Protestant families were forced from their homes.  The Northern Ireland government then requested the presence of British troops throughout the country to keep order.

In 1972 the UK government, deeming the Northern Ireland government unable to stabilize the situation, suspended the Northern Ireland parliament and instituted direct rule from London.  While direct rule was intended as a temporary measure, it continued throughout the course of the Troubles.

In 1972 the UK government, deeming the Northern Ireland government unable to stabilize the situation, suspended the Northern Ireland parliament and instituted direct rule from London.  While direct rule was intended as a temporary measure, it continued throughout the course of the Troubles.

== References ==

== References ==