Unit 2 A Brief Introduction to the United Kingdom II

1. Unit 2A Brief Introduction to the United Kingdom II

2. Content • General Characteristics of Northern Ireland • Description of the Nation • Political Problems

3. Description of the Nation • 1/5 of the Ireland Island • taking up an area of 14,139 km2 • Capital city: Belfast. • Population: 1.64 million • The Lough Neagh is the largest lake in Britain. The “Giant’s Causeway”

4. Lough Neagh back

5. The Giant’s Causeway • A rocky promontory • Made up of black hexagonal columns Formed by cooling lava Millions of years ago

6. The Giant’s Causeway

7. Political Problems • 1. A nation of contradictions • 2. Roots of the Conflict • 3. Home Rule • 4. Partition of Ireland Island • 5. The Situation in Northern Ireland • 6. Troubles • 7. Solution to the troubles

8. contradictions • Land Special Location • People People lived in Ireland Island were the original inhabitants----the Celts • Religion Most people lived in Ireland Island are Catholics Most people lived in Great Britain Island are Protestants

9. Roots of the Conflict • In Elizabeth ⅠAge The British government encouraged people that from Scotland and England to settle on the Ireland island ※( People from Scotland and England ) • Loyal to the British Crown • Protestant in Religious persuasion / belief

10. In 1610, British government enacted the “Articles of Plantation” ※ Articles of Plantation • Confiscate land from the native Irish Catholics then transfer ownership to the new settlers. • The native Irish were driven to the rocky hinterlands or into servitude.

11. In 1641, the Irish people rose in rebellion • In 1649, the English under Oliver Cromwell, slaughtered thousands of Irish Catholics. • In 1689, the Irish rebelled again, with support from the deposed English King James Ⅱ and aided by the French. • In 1690, the new English Monarchy, William of Orange, defeated the Irish rebels at the Battle of Boyne.

12. ※Revolution and Restoration Period • Civil war (1642—1649) (King vs. Parliament) • King Charles Ⅰ executed Oliver Cromwell Protector • King Charles Ⅱ • King James Ⅱ • William and Mary / Glorious Revolution

13. In 1845, Ireland suffered the Great Famine caused by crop failures over successive years. England continued to import meat from Ireland while the Irish people starved.

14. Home Rule • The full name of UK before 1921 ※The full name of UK before 1921 was called “ the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland”

15. Home Rule • In the late 19th century, a campaign in parliament called “ Home Rule”, i.e. Irish people control of Irish internal affairs. • The Third Home Rule Bill was passed in 1914. • Other forms of activities in pursuing Irish independence , guerrilla or terrorist activities Easter Rising in 1916 • IRA / Sinn Fein

16. ※Easter Rising • In order to gain independence, different Irish groups had been fighting against the British institutions and the British military forces. • One such activities was the Easter Rising which took place in 1916. • The rebels occupied Dublin’s Post Office.

17. Partition of the island in 1921 • The Irish people were ethnically distinct from the majority of British people. • The British Government chose a compromise in 1921. • the southern 26 counties form an independent “ free state” • the north-eastern 6 counties remain a part of the UK. • This means the end of British rule in southern Ireland.

18. The Situation in Northern Ireland ( 6 counties) • Northern Ireland was given its own Parliament to deal with Northern Irish internal affairs. • In the northern 6 counties, the population was not purely “ Loyalist”----loyal to the British crown. • About 1/3 of the population were Catholics and many resented the North’s separation from the south. • the local parliament was controlled by the Protestants, Catholics found it harder to get jobs, or to benefit from the social programs. • Resentment grew, the armed conflict known as “troubles” developed.

19. Troubles in Northern Ireland • At first, the Catholics rebellion (Civil Rights Movement in U.S.) • The Protestants organize counter-demonstrations • Northern Irish Prime Minister asked London for soldiers to help restore order • IRA split to 2 groups • In 1970s, the IRA carried out a campaign of bombing and shooting • Protestants formed their own illegal “paramilitary” groups and took revenge on the Catholics

20. In 1971, the Northern Irish government enacted “ Internment” policy, it was ended in 1975. • In 1972, 468 people were killed in Northern Ireland, includes 13 Catholics. It was called “Bloody Sunday” • “ Power-Sharing Mechanism ” • Protestants took a massive and prolonged strike. • “direct – rule” from London • IRA began to bomb the mainland of Great Britain

21. . ※Civil Rights Movement in the U.S • It was started by the American blacks. • They campaigned for the equal rights with the white people • It originated from the racial discrimination in the United States. • The black people constitute 1/10 of the total population . • The term “negro” is applied to people descended or partly descended from slaves transported from Africa long ago. • The old term “ negro/nigger” is now considered to be insulting. • In official statistics the term “non-white” is used, and in ordinary situations it is acceptable to call “non-white” people “black”.

22. ※ IRA • The Official IRA after the partition of the Ireland island, they think they should focus on political process and also, they run candidates for elections • The Provisional IRA they separated from the Official IRA, they think that armed force was the only way to get the British out

23. Solution to the “ troubles” • The event in 1980s >> Sinn Fein’s political campaign: “the Bullet and the Ballot Box” • In 1985, the Anglo-Irish agreement • In 1993, the Downing-Street Declaration

24. Solution to the “ troubles” • Three separate attempts were made to draft an agreement between the British and Irish governments that would lead to a resolution of the Northern Ireland conflict. What are they?

25. Solution to the “ troubles” “ Good Friday Agreement” • As a result of multi-party negotiations • Aided by the intervention of the United States Senator George Mitchell • The “ Good Friday Agreement” known also as the “Belfast Agreement” signed on 10 April 1998.

26. Solution to the “ troubles” • This agreement assures the Loyalist community that Northern Ireland “remains part of the United Kingdom and shall not cease to be so without the consent of the majority of the people of Northern Ireland”. • Northern Ireland is governed by 3 separate jurisdictions: Republic of Ireland UK its own elected executive government of 10 ministers