Northern Ireland
Ireland split into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
1920's
1963 - Terence O'Neill was elected as PM of Northern Ireland
had its own region parliment
he was a protestant and unionist
wanted to modernise the economy
wanted to improve relationships between catholics being given equality with protestants
extremist protestants were worried that this would result in Catholics being given equality with the protestants
Reverend Ian Paisley formed the UPA group
Ulster Protestant Action
1959
held large meetings
two thirds of Northern Irelands population was protestant and unionist
favouring remaining part of the UK
unionists used the voting system in their favour
they made sure that very few catholic or nationalist candidates were elected in national or local elections
protestants could be favoured over Catholics for local government jobs and council housing.
started their own newspaper to spread their views
1969
tensions grew
violence started
'The Troubles'
Catholic civil rights marches
counter-protests
by Protestant loyalists
British troops were sent in
soon came into conflict
Catholic Provisional IRA
Catholic Provisional Irish Republican Army
Loyalist Protestant paramilitary groups responded with a campaign of violence
against the Catholic community