Changes

=== 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 in the British Parliament in London.  

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 in the British Parliament in London.  

==The Craigavon era (1921-1940)==

===The Craigavon era (1921-1940)===

[[Image:Ulster1921.jpg|thumb|400px|Ulster in 1921]]

[[Image:Ulster1921.jpg|thumb|400px|Ulster in 1921]]

James Craig served as Prime Minister for an unbroken period of nineteen years, making this period popularly known as the 'Craigavon era', as he later became 'Lord Craigavon'.

James Craig served as Prime Minister for an unbroken period of nineteen years, making this period popularly known as the 'Craigavon era', as he later became 'Lord Craigavon'.

==World War II==

===World War II===

The Great depression was hard on the economy, with unemployment reaching 30%. In a total population of 1,280,000 (in 1937), regional unemployment was 72,000 in late 1940; it plunged to 19,000 (or 5%) by spring 1943. Full employment brought prosperity to all, and agriculture was mobilized for the war effort as well. In 1939 British Prime Minister [[Neville Chamberlain]]'s proposed military conscription in Northern Ireland; he was blocked by a common front of the government in Dublin, northern nationalists, and the Catholic bishops - as well as by the apathy of the Unionist rank-and-file. By 1941, to reinforce ties with Westminster, to ease unemployment, and to conceal the low level of loyalist enlistments the Stormont government again requested conscription. [[Winston Churchill]] rejected the drafting of Irishmen, due to adamant opposition from Dublin and objections from the United States. However, volunteering for military service was enthusiastic among the Protestants.<ref> Joseph L. Rosenberg, "Irish Conscription: 1941." ''Éire-ireland'' 1979 14(1): 16-25. Issn: 0013-2683 </ref>

The [[Great Depression]] was hard on the economy, with unemployment reaching 30%. In a total population of 1,280,000 (in 1937), regional unemployment was 72,000 in late 1940; it plunged to 19,000 (or 5%) by spring 1943. Full employment brought prosperity to all, and agriculture was mobilized for the war effort as well. In 1939 British Prime Minister [[Neville Chamberlain]]'s proposed military conscription in Northern Ireland; he was blocked by a common front of the government in Dublin, northern nationalists, and the Catholic bishops - as well as by the apathy of the Unionist rank-and-file. By 1941, to reinforce ties with Westminster, to ease unemployment, and to conceal the low level of loyalist enlistments the Stormont government again requested conscription. [[Winston Churchill]] rejected the drafting of Irishmen, due to adamant opposition from Dublin and objections from the United States. However, volunteering for military service was enthusiastic among the Protestants.<ref> Joseph L. Rosenberg, "Irish Conscription: 1941." ''Éire-ireland'' 1979 14(1): 16-25. Issn: 0013-2683 </ref>

Northern Ireland was a vital strategic area of control for Britain during the war; its ports compensating for the loss of Éire's ports under the 1938 revised treaty. Americans soldiers made a major economic impact and social. German air raids in April and May, 1941, killed 1,110 people with over 2,000 injured; over 50,000 houses were hit damaged and 100,000 people made homeless.

Northern Ireland was a vital strategic area of control for Britain during the war; its ports compensating for the loss of Éire's ports under the 1938 revised treaty. Americans soldiers made a major economic impact and social. German air raids in April and May, 1941, killed 1,110 people with over 2,000 injured; over 50,000 houses were hit damaged and 100,000 people made homeless.

Politics was in turmoil during the war. Craig's death (in November 1940) led to the unfortunate choice of John Andrews (1871-1956), the minister of finance; he was indecisive and refused to purge the old ministerial "gang." The Andrews government collapsed in 1943 under mounting criticism that it was incompetent. The lack of preparation for the German air raids of April–May 1941 alarmed everyone; other grievances rose from its mishandling of the conscription question, its temporary suspension of Belfast corporation, the upsurge in labour strikes, and the inadequacy of its post-war planning. The aristocrat Basil Brooke became prime minister, serving 1943-1963.

Politics was in turmoil during the war. Craig's death (in November 1940) led to the unfortunate choice of John Andrews (1871-1956), the minister of finance; he was indecisive and refused to purge the old ministerial "gang." The Andrews government collapsed in 1943 under mounting criticism that it was incompetent. The lack of preparation for the German air raids of April–May 1941 alarmed everyone; other grievances rose from its mishandling of the conscription question, its temporary suspension of Belfast corporation, the upsurge in labour strikes, and the inadequacy of its post-war planning. The aristocrat Basil Brooke became prime minister, serving 1943-1963.

==1945-1969==

===1945-1969===

After the war the departure of  Éire from the Commonwealth in 1949 brought constitutional assurance that Northern Ireland would remain part of the UK as long as a majority there so wished. The new Labour government in London worked well with the conservative Unionists in Belfast, for the Unionist Party welcomed the increased spending on welfare (which helped further differentiate it from Éire. Renewed economic growth helped ensure that the 1950s and early 1960s were Northern Ireland's most harmonious and promising years; its post-war experience contrasted starkly with the relative stagnation and isolation of the south. Unionist confidence led to the willingness of some party members to consider reform, as the political system had long been notoriously corrupt and inefficient. Meanwhile, the voting behaviour of the Catholic minority, its increasing political activism, and the collapse of the IRA campaign of 1956–62 all suggested that Catholics were becoming more reconciled to permanent partition, but they were still angry at the restricted local government franchise, gerrymandering, religious discrimination by government and business, and the inadequacy of state funding for Catholic schools.<ref> Barton, "Brooke" 2004 </ref>

After the war the departure of  Éire from the Commonwealth in 1949 brought constitutional assurance that Northern Ireland would remain part of the UK as long as a majority there so wished. The new Labour government in London worked well with the conservative Unionists in Belfast, for the Unionist Party welcomed the increased spending on welfare (which helped further differentiate it from Éire. Renewed economic growth helped ensure that the 1950s and early 1960s were Northern Ireland's most harmonious and promising years; its post-war experience contrasted starkly with the relative stagnation and isolation of the south. Unionist confidence led to the willingness of some party members to consider reform, as the political system had long been notoriously corrupt and inefficient. Meanwhile, the voting behaviour of the Catholic minority, its increasing political activism, and the collapse of the IRA campaign of 1956–62 all suggested that Catholics were becoming more reconciled to permanent partition, but they were still angry at the restricted local government franchise, gerrymandering, religious discrimination by government and business, and the inadequacy of state funding for Catholic schools.<ref> Barton, "Brooke" 2004 </ref>

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 organisation organised 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 organisation organised 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: 1969-1998 ===

"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 stabilise 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 stabilise 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.

== Government ==

== Current Government ==

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right"

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right"

=== Devolution ===

=== Devolution ===

The current political set-up in Northern Ireland stems form the [[Belfast Agreement]] of 1998 which provided for an elected [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] and a power-sharing [[Northern Ireland Executive]] to be jointly headed by the leaders of the main Unionist and Nationalist parties.   

The current political set-up in Northern Ireland stems from the [[Belfast Agreement]] of 1998 which provided for an elected [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] and a power-sharing [[Northern Ireland Executive]] to be jointly headed by the leaders of the main Unionist and Nationalist parties.