1. Northern Ireland and the Troubles: A Short History

2. Background: the Division of Ireland
Green and Orange States
Catholics in N. Ireland
“Whatever you say, say nothing.”

3. Civil Conflict, 1969 A civil rights movement
The emergence of vigilantes
“Operation Banner” ( )
The IRA split of Dec. 1969
Official IRA
Provisional IRA

4. The Political Parties
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP): “broad appeal” unionism
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP): moderate nationalist
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP): hardcore unionist
Sinn Fein: political wing of IRA
Ian Paisley in 1969

5. The paramilitaries Republican Provisional IRA (1997 split—”Real IRA”)
“Bloody Sunday”: January 1972
Political evolution
Unionist (“Loyalist”)
Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
GB Direct Rule: March 1972
Ulster Defence Association (UDA/UFF)
Progressive Unionist Party (UVF-allied)
Ulster Democratic Party (UDA-allied)
UVF personnel

6. Why the peace process? Military realities
An emergent nationalist alliance
Political redress of Catholic grievances
Increased role on non-gov’t actors
New political formations
Changing international context
The referendum of May 22, 1998
Difficulties of implementation