History of Northern Ireland facts for kids

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom. It's located in the northeast part of the island of Ireland.

Northern Ireland was officially created on May 3, 1921. This happened under a law called the Government of Ireland Act 1920. It was formed from six of the nine counties of Ulster. Four of these counties had a majority of people who wanted to stay part of the UK (called unionists). These were Antrim, Armagh, Down, and Londonderry. Two other counties, Fermanagh and Tyrone, had a slight majority of people who wanted Ireland to be independent (called nationalists). The other three Ulster counties, which had more nationalists, were not included.

Most unionists supported the creation of Northern Ireland. However, nationalists were against it.

The Fight for Self-Rule in Ireland

From the late 1800s, most people in Ireland wanted some form of self-rule from the British government. This idea was called Home Rule. It would have given Ireland control over its own internal matters. But it would still remain part of the United Kingdom.

Two Home Rule bills were passed by the British Parliament's House of Commons. But the House of Lords, another part of Parliament, rejected them. In 1911, a new law reduced the power of the House of Lords. This meant Home Rule was likely to happen soon.

However, many people strongly opposed Home Rule. They wanted Ireland to stay fully part of the UK. These were the Irish unionists. On September 28, 1912, their leader, Edward Carson, introduced the Ulster Covenant in Belfast. This was a pledge to keep Ulster out of Home Rule. About 450,000 men signed it. This gave unionists in the north a clear goal.

By the early 1900s, Belfast was the largest city in Ireland. It had a strong industrial economy. Its shipbuilding and engineering industries were closely linked to Great Britain. Belfast was mostly a Ulster Protestant city. It had a smaller Catholic population, mainly in the west.

A third Home Rule Bill was introduced in 1912. The Conservative Party supported the unionists. After many changes, it was agreed in 1914 that four counties in Ulster could vote to stay out of Home Rule for six years.

During 1913 and 1914, two volunteer armies were formed. First, the unionist Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) was created. In response, the nationalist Irish Volunteers were formed. But then, World War I began in Europe. Home Rule was put on hold. Leaders from both sides encouraged their volunteers to join the British army. The 36th (Ulster) Division, made mostly of UVF members, suffered greatly in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Many nationalists also joined the British army.

The 1916 Rising and Its Effects

During World War I, tensions grew in Ireland. Some Irish separatists, later called Republicans, rejected Home Rule completely. They wanted full independence from Britain. In Easter 1916, led by Thomas Clarke and James Connolly, they tried to start a rebellion in Dublin. This was the Easter Rising.

The British government executed the leaders for treason. They wrongly blamed the small Sinn Féin party for the rebellion. However, these executions made many people support militant republicanism. Sinn Féin's popularity grew. The surviving leaders of the Irish Volunteers joined Sinn Féin and took over its leadership in 1917. The Irish Volunteers later became the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in 1919.

Republicans gained more support when the British government tried to force Irish men to join the army in 1918. Sinn Féin led the campaign against this.

After World War I, many soldiers returned home. In the 1918 election, Sinn Féin won almost all the seats that the Irish Parliamentary Party used to hold. In the six counties that would become Northern Ireland, unionists won 23 of the 30 seats.

After the election, guerrilla warfare slowly began in Ireland. This led to the Anglo-Irish War. In Ulster, the conflict was more complex. It involved the IRA, the British Army, the Royal Irish Constabulary, and the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).

How Ireland Was Divided

The final Home Rule Bill, the Government of Ireland Act 1920, divided the island of Ireland. It created Northern Ireland (the six northeastern counties) and Southern Ireland (the rest of the island). This division is called partition.

Some unionists, like Sir Edward Carson, were against partition. They felt it betrayed the idea of unionism across all of Ireland. Unionists in the three counties of Ulster that were not included in Northern Ireland felt let down. Many Irish nationalists also opposed partition. However, some were glad that Northern Ireland had a large nationalist minority. They hoped this would make Northern Ireland unstable.

On December 7, 1922, Northern Ireland's Parliament decided to officially opt out of the new Irish Free State. This meant Northern Ireland would remain part of the United Kingdom.

Northern Ireland's Early Years

Northern Ireland gained its own self-government within the United Kingdom. The first years of this new region were very violent, especially in Belfast. The IRA wanted to stop the partition of Ireland. So, the authorities created the Ulster Special Constabulary (mostly ex-UVF members) to help the police. They also brought in emergency powers to fight the IRA. Many people died in political violence from 1920 to 1923. The violence decreased after the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed in 1922.

The violence caused a lot of fear. People moved across the new border. Some Protestants moved from the Irish Free State to Northern Ireland. Some Catholics fled south, leaving those who stayed feeling alone. Many Catholics did not join the new police force, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (formed in 1922). They saw it as unfair, which made them feel even more separated from the state.

Life in Northern Ireland (1925–1965)

For many years, under unionist leaders like Sir James Craig, Northern Ireland's government was seen as unfair to the nationalist/Catholic minority.

This was clear in local government. Boundaries for voting areas were drawn unfairly. This was called gerrymandering. It made sure unionists controlled local councils, even in areas where most people were nationalists. For example, in Derry, Omagh, and Fermanagh, Catholic voters were grouped into a few areas. This left other areas with just enough unionist voters to win.

Voting rules also favored property owners and their spouses. This meant fewer people could vote. These rules were ended in England in the 1940s but continued in Northern Ireland until 1969. People became very angry about these unfair voting rules. Disputes over gerrymandering were a main reason for the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

There was also widespread discrimination in jobs. This was especially true for high-level public sector jobs and in industries like shipbuilding. More Catholics had to leave Northern Ireland to find work. Because of this, the number of Protestants grew compared to Catholics. By the late 1950s, it seemed Protestants would always be in charge.

In 1929, a voting system called proportional representation was removed. This gave the Ulster Unionist Party a large majority in the Parliament of Northern Ireland for 50 years. This meant one party ruled for a very long time. While nationalist parties kept their seats, other parties, like the Northern Ireland Labour Party, struggled. It became very hard for any group to challenge the Ulster Unionist Party.

In 1935, serious violence broke out in Belfast. After an Orange Order parade went through a Catholic area, nine people died. Over 2,000 Catholics were forced to leave their homes.

Many unionist leaders now agree that the Northern Ireland government from 1922 to 1972 was unfair. David Trimble, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and former unionist leader, said Northern Ireland was a "cold house for Catholics."

Despite this, Northern Ireland was mostly peaceful from 1924 to the late 1960s. There were some small bursts of IRA activity. The Belfast blitz happened during World War II in 1941. There was also the "Border Campaign" from 1956 to 1962, but it didn't get much support. Many Catholics felt angry towards the state. Nationalist politics felt hopeless.

During this time, the Ulster Unionist Party and the loyalist Orange Order became very close. Catholics, even those who supported the union, were kept out of political or civil power. The only exceptions were a few councils controlled by nationalists.

The Catholic population declined during this period. This was because poor job opportunities, especially west of the River Bann, caused more Catholics to leave.

Nationalist political groups became weaker. The Nationalist Party often boycotted the Stormont Parliament. Sinn Féin was banned, but it sometimes operated through other groups.

The Troubles: A Difficult Period

The Troubles was a long period of conflict in Northern Ireland. It sometimes spread to England, the Republic of Ireland, and Europe. It usually started in the late 1960s and many believe it ended with the Belfast "Good Friday" Agreement in 1998. However, some violence still happens now and then.

How the Troubles Began

In the 1960s, the moderate unionist leader, Terence O'Neill, tried to make changes. But he faced strong opposition from Protestant leaders like Ian Paisley and from within his own party. Irish nationalists pushed for reforms. Unionists who wanted to stay part of the UK opposed any compromise. This led to the creation of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association. Leaders included Austin Currie and John Hume. This group had some Protestant support and many student activists.

Clashes between marchers and the police led to more community conflict. A major event was the Burntollet bridge incident on January 4, 1969. A unionist crowd, including police reservists, attacked a civil rights march outside Derry.

Widespread violence erupted on August 12, 1969. This happened when an Apprentice Boys march was forced through the nationalist Bogside area of Derry by the police. This led to a large riot known as the Battle of the Bogside. Rioting continued until August 14. The police used a lot of tear gas. Even worse riots broke out in Belfast and other places. The next thirty years of conflict became known as "the Troubles."

At the request of the Northern Ireland government, the British army was sent in on August 14, 1969. At first, Irish nationalists welcomed the soldiers. They hoped the army would protect them from loyalist attacks. However, tensions grew. A key moment was the Falls Curfew on July 3, 1970. Three thousand British troops enforced a three-day curfew in West Belfast.

On August 9, 1971, the government started internment. This meant suspected IRA members could be held without trial. Even moderate Irish nationalists stopped cooperating with the state. The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) members left the Northern Ireland Parliament. A widespread campaign of civil disobedience began.

Escalation of Conflict (1972–1974)

Tensions increased greatly after 14 unarmed civilians were killed in Derry on January 30, 1972. This event is known as Bloody Sunday.

During this time, the main paramilitary groups grew stronger. 1972 was the most violent year of the conflict. In 1970, the Provisional IRA was formed. This group broke away from the original IRA. Loyalist paramilitary groups, like the Ulster Defence Association, also started sectarian attacks. Northern Ireland was close to civil war.

On March 30, 1972, the British government took direct control of Northern Ireland from London. They felt the Northern Ireland government could not restore order. In 1973, the British government officially dissolved the Northern Ireland Parliament.

The British government held talks with various groups, including the Provisional IRA. The original IRA declared a ceasefire in 1972. The Provisional IRA remained the largest nationalist paramilitary group.

On December 9, 1973, an agreement was reached called the Sunningdale Agreement. This aimed to create a government in Northern Ireland shared by both communities. It started on January 1, 1974. However, the Provisional IRA increased its attacks. Many unionists were angry about sharing power with Irish nationalists.

A strike by unionist workers began on May 15, 1974. They shut down power stations and brought Northern Ireland to a halt. The power-sharing government collapsed on May 28, 1974.

Some British politicians suggested Britain should leave Ireland. But many opposed this. They feared it would lead to widespread conflict, possibly even civil war.

The level of violence decreased after 1972. The Provisional IRA used bombs in England and at British army bases in Europe. They also attacked targets within Northern Ireland. Loyalist paramilitaries mainly focused their attacks within Northern Ireland. They often targeted Catholics. Both groups also carried out "punishment" attacks on people in their own communities for various reasons.

Towards Peace (1975–1998)

Political talks happened on and off until the early 1990s. Two important events during this time were the hunger strikes in 1981 and the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985.

Even though the hunger strike failed, the republican movement started to get involved in elections. They had some success. This convinced republicans to try a more political approach.

The Anglo-Irish Agreement did not end the violence. But it did improve cooperation between the British and Irish governments. This cooperation was very important for the Belfast Agreement later on. The agreement showed that Britain accepted Ireland's interest in Northern Ireland's affairs. It also showed paramilitaries that refusing to negotiate might not work in the long run.

By the 1990s, both sides felt stuck. The IRA and British security forces seemed unable to win. Sinn Féin's political success also grew. This convinced many that negotiation, not violence, was the way forward. This shift from fighting to politics was part of the wider Northern Ireland peace process. New leaders in London (John Major) and Dublin (Albert Reynolds) helped this process.

The Good Friday Agreement and Beyond

Increased focus on Northern Ireland led to the Downing Street Declaration in 1993. This was signed by the British and Irish prime ministers. At the same time, Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Féin, and John Hume, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, held talks.

In 1997, a new Labour government led by Tony Blair came to power in the UK. A new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, David Trimble, brought his party into all-party talks. These talks led to the Belfast Agreement (also known as the "Good Friday Agreement") in 1998. Eight parties signed it on April 10, 1998. Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party and the UK Unionist Party did not sign.

Most people in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland approved the Agreement in a referendum on May 22, 1998. The Republic of Ireland changed its constitution. It removed its claim to Northern Ireland. Instead, it affirmed the right of all people in Ireland to be part of the Irish nation. It also declared a hope for a United Ireland.

Under the Good Friday Agreement, voters elected a new Northern Ireland Assembly to form a parliament. Any party that reached a certain level of support could name members to the government and lead ministries. David Trimble, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, became the First Minister of Northern Ireland. Seamus Mallon of the SDLP became the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. The Ulster Unionist Party, Social Democratic and Labour Party, Sinn Féin, and the Democratic Unionist Party all had ministers in this power-sharing assembly.

The Assembly and its government faced many challenges. There were disagreements about whether the IRA was giving up its weapons. There were also claims of an IRA spy-ring in the civil service. Northern Ireland was sometimes run directly from London by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

The changing British view of Northern Ireland was shown when Queen Elizabeth II visited Stormont. She met nationalist ministers and spoke of the right of people who feel Irish to be treated equally with those who feel British. Similarly, the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, met with unionist ministers during her visits to Northern Ireland.

In the Assembly elections of November 30, 2003, Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) became the largest parties in their communities. This made it harder to bring back the shared government. However, talks between the parties and the British and Irish governments made progress in 2004. But a deal between Sinn Féin and the DUP broke down in December 2004. This was because of a disagreement over photographic proof of the IRA giving up its weapons.

The 2005 British general election showed more division. The DUP gained many seats. Sinn Féin did not gain as much as expected. The Ulster Unionist Party won only one seat, and its leader, David Trimble, lost his.

On July 28, 2005, the IRA publicly announced an end to its armed campaign. It told its members to give up weapons and focus on political work. The British and Irish governments welcomed this. In August, the British government announced that its military operation in Northern Ireland, Operation Banner, would end by August 1, 2007.

On October 13, 2006, a new agreement was proposed after talks in Scotland. All parties, including the DUP, supported it. Under this agreement, Sinn Féin would fully support the police in Northern Ireland. The DUP would share power with Sinn Féin. All major parties formally approved the agreement.

On May 8, 2007, power was returned to Northern Ireland. DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness became First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

Images for kids

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  History is written by the winner. Mural in West Belfast

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  May Day march in Belfast, 1984