What were The Troubles? | Northern Ireland spotlight

[@darrylkassle361]

This is one of the most clear and informative videos on the Irish situation. I was always a little confused. I suppose because people who explain it make certain assumptions of the knowledge of their audience. This guy does not make those assumptions thus clearing up any confusion I had. He also is good at ‘nutshell explanations’ this explaining how concepts simply and in a nutshell taking the core of the matter and explaining it

[@tonyb7615]

u bear that right. dont loose it

[@BoleDaPole]

I was always taught in school that the Irish catholics where barbaric and in the wrong but the way he says it seems like they're just trying to reclaim the land thar was stolen from them and achieve civil rights in what is an apartheid state.

[@paulsmith4467]

I'm sorry this is very poor. Trying to explain Irish history in 8 minutes.

[@supervlogmulti4501]

It was set up ad a sectarian state

[@FINNSTIGAT0R]

​@@paulsmith4467 Not every explanation needs to be comprehensive. I'd say this is a pretty decent summary for someone to decide if they want to dig deeper. The sad truth is that the plurality of people are not interested in hearing all the details so it's better to offer them a decent summary at least. I was interested and dug deeper, but I for sure wouldn't have done it if not some of these summary videos I started out with.

[@goodgame3374]

Given that this video is by a British institution, & the UK is one of the two parties in an almost millenia old conflict, it's admirable that it's much more impartial than 90% of summaries.

[@cacu3989]

THANK YOU for clarifying the differences within each "side." As a non-Irish person, none of the sources I found before now clarified that, so it was very confusing.

[@ImperialWarMuseums]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LiffeyKing]

@@thelightsilent As a former Irish catholic and now a protestant I take great exception to your 'vile' and very narrow take on such matters which you apparently possess very little actual knowledge thereof other than that of your own ingrained prejudice.

[@craic5554]

@@thelightsilent no it wasn't about religion. It was about civil rights. You are vile.

[@tonyb7615]

hispanic here. u talk of the troubles. the ira is terrorism. white on white death

[@tonyb7615]

@@LiffeyKing haha

[@seandobson499]

Having served in Northern Ireland, as outlined in my previous comment, I really do hope that the peace lasts and gets even stronger and better for all those who live in Northern Ireland, I know what it was like to be a soldier there from 1974 onwards and I sincerely hope that those days are gone forever and never return.

[@gillianlorimer5513]

God Bless you for your service here and for saying that.

[@seandobson499]

@@gillianlorimer5513 I hope that the peace lasts and everybody can live their lives free of fear.

[@markshort5994]

Must have been a nightmare to serve there, I can’t imagine. I grew up in Dublin and was really one outside looking in. I imagine that kids raised to Hate, will not and can’t change, it’s sad. If you grow up kicking a football, all you like to do is you’re spare time is kick a ball. I hope like you do that people can rise above this and peace can last.

[@bordercollie1140]

A very nice and impartial comment, hats off to you my friend.

[@mariletbrink2522]

Very informative video, thanks! I watched Derry Girls and realised I don't know much about Irish history at all. As an Afrikaans speaking South African, I know can appreciate how deep hurt and anger between communities can be and how if affects many generations.

[@joymelaniecloke6222]

As a South African you should be able to draw on the comparisons between the two countries. Although different you should be in a position to relate to “deep anger and hurt between communities…” The Irish had ‘ The Troubles’ and South Africa had ‘The Struggle’.

[@rufiredup90]

I’m engaged to a Northern Irish man and I was also watching Derry Girls and I wanted to fully understand what The Troubles was so here I am.

[@joedirt3748]

If we don't get our stuff together and work through our grievances, I fear that the United States will become the next nation to repeat The Troubles. I see it less being Republicans Vs Democrats and more Christian Nationalists Vs Everyone Else. The United States is rife with a history of inequality of rights for its citizens and we've been continually fighting for equality since the inception of our country. Unfortunately, when fighting for equal rights, there is always a section of the population that lives in fear of what the "others" will do if they gain their rights. That section can also have a fear of losing their rights. Here in the United States, we do a poor job at communicating with the fearful group and we do a poor job at making sure that the fearful group's fears are addressed in a way that makes for a meaningful solution among all parties involved. Mostly though, in general terms for America, if one group gains rights, it usually benefits all groups even if it seemingly doesn't.

[@cmonaco2]

@@rufiredup90 , if you have the opportunity, I suggest you visit Derry and Belfast to gain an even better understanding of it all. I just got back from being there for two weeks, and while things have improved very much over the years, the segregation still exists and the tension is still in the air.

[@thethrowawaythatstayed7055]

@@mariletbrink2522 Derry Girls made me realise I really knew nothing about something I thought I did.

[@Dinkwadz]

This is so sad. We don't hear about these things in mainstream America. I have to watch BBC newstations to find out the really important news. God bless Northern Ireland. I pray for justice and peace for all. 💗

[@dylanb.117]

Don't listen to the BBC for info about Ireland. they are biased against Ireland and always cover up for their crimes

[@Dreyno]

The BBC? They’ve studiously avoided even reporting on the riots for an entire week recently. Most people in Britain will freely admit they know little or nothing about Northern Ireland.

[@workinprogress3609]

Yes, BBC...the news source for Fascists.

[@LiffeyKing]

@@thelightsilent TROLLING GETS YOU NOWHERE APART FROM MAKING YOU LOOK FOOLISH.

[@cian434]

@@thelightsilent It's less of a relgious thing, no one really cares about the differences between the two religions or even if you believe in god. It's more of a way to identify yourself because Irish people are mainly catholic, and British people are mainly prodestant.

[@emilyanthony9105]

It’s crazy to be watching this in April 2021, as a young person from Belfast, while our city is burning due to yet more sectarian violence 💔 how are we supposed to achieve peace, though, while sectarian leaders still govern us? Their self-serving agendas egg on the working class communities to blow up our streets and plant yet more seeds of segregation. NI needs new leadership and it needs it NOW!

[@hughofIreland]

Peace is a process, not a product.

[@Subjagator]

Assuming someone in power doesn't do something drastic peace will come eventually. Each new generation hates just that little bit less. The GFA wasn't supposed to be a permanent treaty. It just set in place a way for both sides to live together peacefully until they learned to cooperate. With the Alliance party, the largest non-partisan party in NI, getting the 3rd largest share of the votes I am hoping it isn't too long before the GFA is changed so that a truly neutral party with support from both communities gets a chance to lead.

[@rahelleul4392]

Imperial War Museum's videos are always so clear and easy to understand, which make learning history even more enjoyable.

[@HobbittMan64]

This has helped a lot in my understanding. Quite a bit of my family’s history that was recorded was lost to the troubles as my last name comes from Ireland. Thanks for the help

[@tonyb7615]

ur name is like me

[@jackietreehorn5561]

Everyone has their own narrative

[@kevcliff9699]

Good overview of the troubles, probably would pay to clarify the origins. Rather than saying settlers came from Scotland, would be more accurate to describe the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland and the plantations where the Irish were driven out.

[@RobertK1993]

King James I caused it in 1610 with the Ulster Plantation.

[@TRIFEC98]

yeah way back when transpiration was horses, so who cares?

[@Robin-cf9ts]

@@TRIFEC98 would it have made a difference if they had buses then😜

[@zachgreen250]

@@TRIFEC98 It matters because you can't fully explain what's going on without going deep into the history of it. The 17th century was very important to this conflict.

[@stephenwright8824]

@@thelightsilent While I agree with the sentiment of your too-often-repeated comment, I have enough faith in credible sources (to include my pagan, vegan friend in the east end of London whose wife is Irish-born) to know that the Troubles were NOT caused by religions clashing. Identity politics, territorial imperative, rights and reparations. those I believe were the causes of the conflict. And I'm an atheist by the way.

[@ex0148]

Very much enjoyed this short, as an English man I never understood 'it all' and now have a much better grasp, great piece needs more views.

[@bettyboop59able1]

I was 12yrs old when this happened I’m in uk I never will forget this coming on the news it was terrible 😢 my heart goes out to those who lost their lives . It’s time they had justice . Then as now Tory Gov cannot be trusted .

[@RobertK1993]

Very informed Englishman kind man should be British Prime Minister instead ignorance of the Tory party.

[@bordercollie1140]

This was a very good take on the troubles but unfortunately it's only about 8 minutes in length. You wouldn't even get close to explaining everything that caused this war to occur in an 8 hour documentary.

[@wattsnottaken1]

As an American I find the history between Ireland and the UK very interesting. But I also just like learning about history. Very important

[@AndyB1286]

👍

[@hunterpratt9963]

I might be in the minority on this. I was never taught about this growing up in the rural public schooling system in the US. I would imagine there are classes offered at larger high schools and most colleges. Very interesting to learn about though.

[@jackietreehorn5561]

@@hunterpratt9963 Irish history is crazy stuff ...a land torn by conflict for hundreds of years

[@mjh5437]

@@jackietreehorn5561 Ireland is like a snake which never tires of biting its own tail.

[@jackietreehorn5561]

@@mjh5437 that's because the rattlesnake was lying peacefully in the sand before the rattle tail got stepped on

[@robertbruce1887]

An excellent, calm & non-biased explanation of a situation where bitter sides were taken.

[@jacksonyan7346]

This is so much better than the video with 2 million views. Thank you for making this!

[@gastondeveaux3783]

This is brilliantly done, and also helps put a human layer on this difficult chapter in history. I am reading a biography of Churchill. The issues of Home Rule and separation of Ireland are recurring topics in the book. Being Canadian, I had only a vague understanding of this part of Irish history. This video helped shed much light on it for me. War is Stupid. Give Peace a Chance.

[@bordercollie1140]

In all honesty Churchill was very far from promoting peace in Ireland. In fact he was the polar opposite, and I've read many books on this issue. He was a great friend to the rich and despised the poor no matter the religious backgrounds he was dealing with. All supposed great leaders and statesmen with only a few exceptions seem to be deeply flawed. One last thing off subject, Mother Teresa was far from the Saint she was made out to be and very reliable people will verify this, it's all available to read. Sorry for such a long reply.

[@MrMark595]

Interesting and reasonably fair analysis but historically the Scottish and English 'settlers' as you called them were mostly party of the plantation which was an effort to pacify Irish dislocation and then rebellion against British rule, in other words, the 'planters' acting both as a buffer against Irish catholic rebellion and deliberately planting a protestant population loyal to British rule. Without understanding this you don't understand the train of events which ultimately lead to the recent Troubles (plus a lot of history in between of course). The Ulster plantation was very much a precursor and prototype fro all sorts colonial settling (clearing of the indigenous people) by the British in the decades following. This isn't a 'one-sided' analysis of what happened it is rather an objective fact of history. If you don't understand the imperial ambition of Britain and its many legacies-in Ireland, India and Africa e.g.- you don't understand the political and social chaos that followed as a result, right up to the 20th century, and indeed with Brexit and Northern Ireland, right up to the present day. Boris Johnson is just another little would-be imperialist Tory englander who couldn't care less about the chaos caused by his political antecedents, nor indeed by the chaos he himself has caused in recent years. These people have never cared about Ireland...ever. Glad this has cleared it up for you.

[@orleanist]

Че ты высрал, родной...

[@BonsaiBuckeye]

I don't think anyone asked you to clarify anything.....

[@Ahoykatieee]

@@BonsaiBuckeye it was necessary. Presenting the original Protestant population that was planted in Ireland as “settlers” is disingenuous, and ignores a huge factor that lead to the troubles.

[@BillBlazejowski]

@@Ahoykatieee you chose the wrong religion, maybe you'd be happier in Italy.

[@ellessnoeck680]

thank u so much

[@grandmalovesmebest]

@@tonyb7615 WHAT?

[@tonyb7615]

@@grandmalovesmebest you go away. I'm talking to someone that matters

[@tonyb7615]

The north Hollywood shootout. I wouldn't drag it

[@tonyb7615]

Star trek rarely had banned anything. At the time. During. Look at what commander data said.

[@michaelmulligan0]

Very well (and simply) explained

[@larashoesmith6666]

Great explanation, thankyou

[@sashalofstrom6659]

Oh "nobody expected" that there would be issues after brexit? Yeah, okay.

[@michaelearlgrey]

Do you feel better now?

[@tonyb7615]

demo vote.

[@bikeman9899]

It is good to see a balanced overview of the Troubles from a UK perspective.

[@ericw4377]

Technically, wouldn't the origin of the problem have been when Elizabeth I and James I encouraged Scottish and English Protestant settlement in Ulster in the 16th and 17th centuries?

[@justbeyondthecornerproduct3540]

Yes. As an Irish person, (from the Republic), whenever someone asks me why NI exists, I always start with "So in the 1600s..."

[@AndyB1286]

According to what I've read, when the Scottish and English settlers ("planters", I think they were called) went over to Ulster several centuries ago, that did sort of kick things off.

[@donrobertson4940]

I think we all made a big mistake in coming down from the trees in the first place.

[@Gattobuono]

Not according to the trees. 😉

[@jackietreehorn5561]

@@donrobertson4940 once peaceful bi pedal tree dwelling primates

[@geoffreyhansen8543]

Thanks for the useful explanation Neil.

[@ZiainCanada24]

Thanks for providing us with great and comprehensive information about the Troubles.

[@jamesygerrard2626]

Catholics had lower salaries and higher social restrictions than in the Irish Republic

[@Jim54_]

When talking about modern Ireland, one thing that needs to be mentioned was how a Protestant Irish Parliament successfully gained independence for Ireland between 1782 and 1800, during which time Catholics got most of their rights back, with most Irish people of different faiths uniting under the ideologies of either constitutionalism or Republicanism, with both in favour of varying degrees of Irish sovereignty/autonomy and increased personal rights. This independence ended when a failed Republican Revolution in 1798 led British prime minister William Pitt to intimidate and bribe the Irish Parliament into merging the Kingdom Ireland into the UK after an initial Union vote failed. Ireland’s Parliament was forced to merge with The British one (though the courts and civil service of Ireland remained separate, but nominally subject to Westminster from now on). People on both sides seem to have completely forgotten this chapter in Irish history, because Protestants and Catholics fighting together for an independent Irish Kingdom doesn’t fit anyone’s narrative, and yet it had a major impact on the island. Unionism, Republicanism and Constitutionalism all originate from the original Irish volunteers that used the opportunity of the American Revolution distracting Britain to revolt in 1782. This heralded the independence and has shaped all aspects of Irish politics ever since.

[@zakiyamilton7674]

Currently watching Derry Girls, this is so helpful in understanding the historical references written in the show.

[@homolgus1]

The speaker omitted the mention the first fifty years of Ulster, the Catholic population suffered discrimination in work, housing, voting, basically they were second class citizens he did not mention this at all.

[@tonybroderick4808]

Yes he did. Watch it again.

[@brontewcat]

Thank you. I think that was a very compassionate explanation of a terrible time.

[@poppyhooper7669]

Very informative, thank you!

[@shamrockgerry]

Reunification of Ireland 🇮🇪.

[@petew5289]

I served in northern Ireland in 70s and and the impression I came away with was the protestants would never except morjitory Catholic rule witch would happen with in a United island

[@briancarton1804]

What do you think will happen when the nationalists are the majority in NI which is inevitable given the demographics?

[@raymondsawyer8626]

@@briancarton1804 if Ireland is unified in the future it will be the Irish people north and south and no one else too decide and if it does come about I hope and pray it would be a peaceful transition

[@stevieneilson2451]

Great video explaining what happened. But I still think it should have been called a civil war and not the "troubles" as that made it sound like a minor ailment and not the tragedy that was (on both sides) ❤ I have visited Ireland a few time's and I could never understand how a genuinely loving and kind people were capable of the violence. 😢

[@87ecosse]

That would actually be quite controversial to brand it as a civil war. At the time the IRA were presenting themselves as an army fighting a war against an oppressor. The British government argued it was crime and thought that referring to it as an armed conflict would legitimise armed republicans.

[@scozc1]

Because it was not a civil war, hence why it was violent. A civil war is a fight between the same people on an ideology.

[@TruthHurts-s7g]

You mean when William of orange sailed up the river to save the protestant s. Or when ira cell stripped and murdered two soldiers in broad daylight because they took the wrong turn or bloody Sunday when brits accused of shooting uarmed protesters yeah right they were unarmed when they took the bodies away of course and unless you were there don't even bother mate..

[@Ahoykatieee]

It can’t be counted as a civil war when one side are colonialist oppressors and the other side are the actual indigenous people of the country. A civil was is a war between two factions of the SAME people with different ideologies.

[@stevieneilson2451]

@@Ahoykatieee Civil war refers to a violent conflict between organized groups within a country that are fighting over control of the government, one side's separatist goals, or some divisive government policy...🤯

[@RonHarrisMe]

One day, we humans will realize, in the end...with any issue, conflict (with one exception) it comes down to just sitting down and talking. So many people have died for the simple reason that someone in power did not want to "look weak" by talking. All problems can be solved...with just talking. Understanding.

[@robertdoyle687]

Quite a lot missing from this 'broad brush' explanation - Perfidious Albion still has a lot of hidden secrets to tell!

[@Dreyno]

And the gerrymandering? The massive gerrymandering? Which meant there was no recourse through the ballot box. So people turned to civil rights marches inspired by the civil rights movement in the U.S. And civil rights marches were apparently such an affront to some that it became open season on marchers. Overall, not a bad summation but missing the trigger point of the violence.

[@tonyb7615]

hipster bs... you

[@Dreyno]

@@tonyb7615 What the f&ck are you talking about? Hipster? What’s that got to do with anything?

[@noonput7556]

Definitely the Ira are a legitimate army

[@AndyB1286]

True, the gerrymandering wasn't covered in the video.

[@seandoherty925]

Interesting if perhaps somewhat too truncated synopsis. Should have mentioned the plantation of Ulster as that is too pivotal to be glossed over as 'settlers from Britain, mostly Scotland.' It came at the end of a hugely bloody nine years war, 1594 - 1603, won eventually principally through scorched earth tactics. The plantation was an attempt to ensure the Crown would never again face such opposition as it has done from Ulster's Irish Clan's. The Crown's victory resulted in the confiscation of Irish lands and those lands being granted for resettlement to people brought from lowland Scotland and England who would be Protestant. They were expected to build plantation towns in the English style with protective walls to exclude the native Irish who were Catholic. The different religions would therefore come to mark whether you were native Irish or settler British. The religious difference meant these settlers would not integrate with remaining native Irish as had previous Anglo - Norman settlers. Partition never had the consent of the 33% Catholic minority in NI who tried to ignore the new state in it's early days. They were thus regarded as the enemy within by the Unionist majority and their non participation made it easier to establish a state that would discriminate against them in the fields of jobs and housing. This was mostly tolerated by the minority until the 1960's saw TV bring pictures of Civil rights marches into their homes. The 1948 education act had seen sizable numbers of Catholics get access to Universities for the first time and these students formed the NI Civil Rights Association. Their demands were for an end to discrimination, fair allocation of council housing and 'One man, one vote,' an end to the property based franchise in local government elections. The Unionist Government at Stormont who controlled security told the police to get them off the streets and pictures were beamed around the world of security forces truncheoning unarmed protesters. Sectarian strife erupted elsewhere in the province and the British Government had to send in the British Army and suspend the parliament at Stormont. The IRA who had been largely dormant and had abandoned a previous campaign in the 50's due to lack of support became reinvigorated and were reborn as the Provisional IRA, based in the North. They saw the Army as being there to reinforce the British Government's claim to the territory and their will. The IRA has always existed primarily to fight Britain's role in the affairs of any part of Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement that brought peace was written at a time when UK and Ireland were both happily members of the EU, an institution which seemed keen to make national identities less important and to encourage all member states to see themselves as European. This helped to curb our centuries old identities in NI and encourage us to see ourselves as members of a larger more inclusive grouping. The GFA was thus predicated on there being no need for borders. Brexit and the arguments it produced has driven a coach and horses through all that. The Protocol was an attempt to mitigate against the worst aspect's of any damage Brexit caused by keeping NI in the single market for goods to preserve jobs and prevent border post's. Without it, it's hard to see how we can avoid checkpoints somewhere on the island, a thing all sides including successive British Government 's have said they want to avoid. It also provides, for the first time, a unique selling point for goods businesses here with access to both the EU and UK market. The government has now set its face against the protocol without the consent of NI's people. We are on a sticky wicket, again.

[@paulduffy4585]

The elephant in the room here, in regards to brexit and the GFA, is that no change of this kind can be made without the consent of the people of NI. Not only does brexit ignore what is an internationally guaranteed agreement, but it actually goes against what the people in NI voted for - to stay in the EU.

[@mkirksmith]

Well explained.

[@johanakermyr1437]

Sooo..... Maggie told Bobby Sands and the hunger strikers "Crime is crime is crime". Why immunity for british army murders in the north of Ireland? What are you so afraid of? The truth? CRIME IS CRIME IS CRIME. CRIME IS CRIME

[@kbonh22]

Belfast man born and bred here. Good explanation but I think you really understated the way Catholics were treated before the Civil Rights movement. They were second class citizens to say the least. A sectarian Protestant police force and government kept them oppressed for centuries in all forms, voting, jobs, housing, justice, education etc. Very similar to how black Americans were treated. Great video though 👍

[@seansstudios151]

Irish made sacrifices in ww1 as well the youngest person to die in ww1 was Irish

[@operationcreation5583]

Yes, I do pity those soldiers, forgotten by their nation as they were on the wrong side of Irish history despite their sacrifices

[@jackietreehorn5561]

@@operationcreation5583 they were part of the British cannon fodder squadron... reminds me of that south park episode ffs

[@Craig-xr1bw]

Just a shame they missed the second war,

[@jackietreehorn5561]

@@Craig-xr1bw many Irish fought in WW2 too, and rightly so, I have a sneaking admiration for the Germans in their feats of engineering then but the fascist ethos needed taking out, regardless of British or Irish

[@dowdallerno1]

And were rewarded with partition. And died for nothing.

[@MustacheCashStash125]

I wish peace for all the great people of Northern Ireland

[@dustsettles6099]

If the Unionists love the British isles so much, why don't they just move there?

[@patmooney1407]

As humans, we constantly pride ourselves on the struggle we uptake to divide each other... why? Please hate no person... but do keep track of those who do...

[@robertrowe8531]

was this conflict about independance or religious divide?

[@saltedpeanuts106]

@@robertrowe8531 independance mainly but religion may have had some influence especially since there were so many groups in each side so some groups may have had religion as the main conflict where as the rest of the groups were driven by the want of independance

[@tonyb7615]

@@saltedpeanuts106 how is that any different to the taliban?

[@saltedpeanuts106]

@@tonyb7615 Because they aren't as ruthless and don't burn womens faces off and force women and children into arranged marriages. Like yeah i don't like this situation either but in no way could they be compared to the taliban.Also it's literally nearly completely different as both sides aren't trying to take control of entire countries by force at least this is up in Northern Ireland and not a Republic of Ireland issue

[@saltedpeanuts106]

It's still horrible no matter where it is but in no way shape or form can you compare these two situations

[@Sooper35]

This adds a whole new perspective to Derry Girls for me.

[@fozzywozzy50]

Might be a good video to show to a Form 5 class who are studying this as part of their GCSE history. Wonder what they will make of it?

[@RaySpillane]

One has to remember that communities in Northern Ireland are still divided today by what are called 'Peace Walls' not too dissimilar to those erected by the Israeli Government to separate the Arab & Israeli communities in Israel, something for which the Israeli Government has come under much criticism, yet who out side othese islands are aware that such walls exist on the island of Ireland or in the United Kingdom. Square pegs and round holes, nothing can permanently fix the situation in Northern Ireland, there will always be Protestants and Catholics, Unionists and Nationalists & never the twain shall meet. Not a nationalist or unionist, just a realist.

[@dek123]

I was actually serving there in 69 when the troubles began, it was a confusing time for soldiers on the ground. I was for a time on the Falls road (republican area) and initially felt welcome, we were not taking sides, we felt we were protecting groups from each other. But unfortunately politicians found no middle ground and quickly the militants from each side took over and things from the soldiers point of view deteriorated quickly. Being posted there and not on a short tour, my wife and I were in a hiring (although I saw her rarely) and my daughter was born in Lisburn. I thankfully left in 71, a totally different place to the peaceful friendly place I arrived at in the Autumn of 67.

[@mickmc3832]

I think the Catholic community found it easy to relate to the soldiers who where mostly northern working class lads with no prospects. The soldiers reciprocated the friendly sentiments until they where ordered to oppress and beat people. its funny how two groups of working class people have no problem treating each other with respect and dignity until forced to do otherwise by there "superiors".

[@jackietreehorn5561]

@@mickmc3832 met some English squaddies on holiday that served in the north and got on great with them, but northern ones if met them in same scenario would be spitting venom at me and foaming at the mouth ffs facts

[@mickmc3832]

@@jackietreehorn5561 I'm from the north and iv met paras on holidays. Never had any problems

[@jackietreehorn5561]

@@mickmc3832 same

[@daisychain3007]

I have a query: The republicans I northern Ireland were Catholics and the unionists Protestants. If a British Catholic soldier was deployed to northern Ireland, did he side with the Protestants as he was of the country that supported the Protestants or with the catholics, who were his co-religionists?

[@gastrickbunsen1957]

What sparked the troubles was NICRA asking for a level playing field. Sparked on by the black civil rights movement in the US, they had six demands. 1. One man, one vote 2. A fair drawing of electoral boundaries (No Gerrymandering) 3. Freedom of speech and assembly 4. Repeal of the Special Powers Act (B. Specials) and 5. A fair allocation of jobs 6. Equal access to social housing NICRA were a non nationalist organisation but certain scaremongers treated them as such and put fear into the hearts of many of the protestant working class. This led to catholics being burnt out of their homes and because of the civil rights movement, extremist protestants to this day call people born into catholic families the N word. The actions of the extremists led to the formation of the Provisional IRA ,because the Official IRA were trying to solve the situation through discussions. Meanwhile catholic estates were being sniped into by protestants extremists. When the army came, they were welcomed by the catholic community, but it soon became obvious that they were actually there to maintain the status quo and not to protect those born into catholic families.

[@APoxOnNordStream]

I became very interested in Irish history as a young Englishman who had randomly been given an Irish name, and as a result had become interested in all things Irish. What shocks me most from this side of the Irish Sea is the complete lack of awareness of what Irish issues and history, and the positive lack of interest in it. This all came to a head with the Brexit referendum, where you saw that disinterest and ignorance playing out on the international stage. I was embarrassed to be associated, as a citizen of the United Kingdom, with the Johnson government and his disgraceful and shoddy handling of Northern Ireland. It made me think that although so much has changed since the 19th century, at the heart of it, England is still run by people who have no concern at all for the Irish, whether they are Catholic, Protestant or neither. Without a serious intention of educating the rest of the UK about the history behind the troubles, this is never going to change, much like with the whole of British imperialist history. Every UK citizen should be taught to understand how we got where we are, and why things are like they are. What they do with that knowledge is up to them, but it would at least put the seeds of doubt into some people's blind faith in the British Empire and the 'golden age' of Great Britain.

[@liamkelly1312]

A flawed , false and simplistic analysis e.g. 1916- UVF were initially formed in 1913 to violently oppose an Act of Parliament , in 1914 they became the British Army's 36th division and suffered 1,944 deaths -he omits to mention how the 36th losses were among a total of 4,000 Irish soldiers who died at the Somme. He also seems ignorant of fact that the 1916 rising was a total failure which was redeemed as a Republican victory only because in its aftermath its leaders were executed without trial thus transforming public opinion and also how martial law was introduced which also backfired. He also blandly describes institutional discrimination as "not having the same rights to services" , omits to mention the civil rights campaign was brutally suppressed by the paramilitary police force and that the first violent rioting and gunfire experienced by the British Army in Belfast was between them and the UVF. Segregation began in 16thC not in the 1970's. Credit where due- he does state that there was rampant collusion between loyalist terrorists and British state forces, and PIRA was riddled with informers but doesn't elaborate on it. All the protagonists involved ( Loyalist, Republican, Police & Army) have innocent blood on their hands. He states nobody predicted how Brexit would create a border issue-when it was obvious to everyone in Republic of Ireland. He correctly states talking about the issue is incredibly important-unfortunately the British media and politicians don't agree- and majority of British public seemingly dont give a toss either.

[@Jack209]

The conflict did not start simply because people wanted a united ireland, it started because Northern Ireland as an entity only served one community and they proved that they would use force to preserve the unequal status quo.

[@johnerichoare7732]

The trouble with both Irelands is what the British royalty and others like the Viking Kings did to both Irelands in ancient times from the earliest times. It is time for both our islands to become trading republics in peace and prosperity. What remains of the British Commonwealth, Britain and both Irelands together. In this modern era of our World of 2023, I thought our world would have known we could not go into the future as we are with corrupt politics or a dysfunctional monarchy. Any fool should know that. In the end, our world will come together in peace or perish. John Eric Hoare, British and Australian citizen, and Commonwealth citizen.

[@atverde]

This summary downplays A LOT the role of the systematic discrimination of catholics in Northern Ireland. The presenter claims that The Troubles started because of the differences in beliefs on how Northern Ireland should be governed. However, the project might have worked better if Unionist dominance wasn't so baked in to it.

[@diggerscommonwealth2801]

I agree with you there. The agreement disenfranchised the Catholics a lot

[@mickmc3832]

it was less about a difference in beliefs than one sides beliefs being disregarded in favor of the others.

[@wtorules4743]

A very fair assessment.

[@27west1]

Ireland unfree shall never be at peace

[@TRIFEC98]

what part of Irish life is suppressed ?

[@Dinkwadz]

💗

[@wendelinasbury]

@@TRIFEC98 Clearly you did not watch the video.

[@geovanniali6060]

Dia duit Agus conus a ta tu cara. The fools the fools the fools O dononavan rossa. TAL 26+6=1

[@LiffeyKing]

But Ireland IS at peace.

[@SocialStudiess]

I remember as a child I never really thought much of colorism in America because I noticed something. As humans, we find any reason to split and divide ourselves. Black Americans say it’s purely racial, but if you’re educated and you read books. You see Europeans from as far as a Greece all the way to Ireland time and time again divide, fight and even go to war with one another. It’s an unfortunate epidemic, yet it happens over and over in every area, place and civilization of the world. I hope I can visit Ireland one day. I’m American, but a immigrant myself. Team Eritrea-American here 🙋🏾‍♂️🇺🇸🇪🇷

[@jeandeprsio3025]

Religious civil wars always produce the most trouble. Dear God. But that's the way with intelligent men.

[@riskybusiness7291]

Thanks. Pretty good.

[@petehuda7457]

Best explanation

[@ewright4108]

A reasonable attempt to be fair, but important bits left out. It was the Great Famine (1845-1849) which dislocated millions of Irish people to America and provided the later catalyst for a well funded independence movement. In the 1918 elections Sinn Fein won the election in Ireland on an independence ticket. Rigging an artificial border and allowing the built in protestant majority there to opt out went totally against Wilson's 14 Points - the holy grail at the time. On the same basis, Sudetenland and Alsace should have remained part of Germany. The bitter sectarian Northern government then went on to create a fascist state within the United Kingdom - finally challenged by Catholics in 1968.

[@alyssapowell1799]

It wasn't just the Great Famine. My g-g-grandmother was born in Inishowen, Donegal in 1890. Her family was thrown off their land and they ended up in a workhouse in Derry. Four of her younger siblings died there. She and her sister emigrated to Boston to work as servants. Their children and grandchildren very much supported Irish Independence because of the injustice of what happened and how badly Catholics were treated.

[@ant7699]

Hectic

[@mediumrick7667]

thank you.

[@DanielVerberne]

Hey - I'm 20 seconds in and my first thought is - Why is there a 'Northern' Ireland? I think that would be beneficial to know, to give further context.

[@katie323]

Home Rule. Ireland used to be completely ruled by Britain. Ireland wanted independence. Ireland has 32 counties, it was decided that 26 become a Republic and 6 (Northern Ireland - Counties Derry, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Antrim and Tyrone) remain apart of Britain.

[@grandmalovesmebest]

@@katie323 american. Learned that from the movie "Michael Collins". We learned about the IRA from the Brad Pitt/Harrison Ford movie. You should get your film makers to make movies about your history that get around the world. ☮❤🙋

[@jackietreehorn5561]

@@grandmalovesmebest there are plenty

[@raymondsawyer8626]

@@grandmalovesmebest books are the best source of learning about the history of the troubles and there are many written by people with deep insight from all sides of the conflict , films and documentaries are a good source of learning but books are more in depth

[@geoffpoole483]

@@grandmalovesmebest The books by Peter Taylor are a good start.

[@keithgoodrick-meech3921]

At the start there was a definite and probably valid reason for a united Ireland. However this cause was highjacked by criminals who made a fortune by using the cause as a rallying call for young men and women to do their dirty work. The criminals are the only people who gained anything from the troubles.

[@johngallagher909]

Very fair analysis 👍

[@CreamyPesto505]

As an American of Irish descent, who sympathizes with the views, and goals of the IRA, but disagrees with their practices, I have to ask... is anyone on either side working, or even willing to allow a free Ireland to exist, without violence taking place? If so, are their voices being heard?

[@justbeyondthecornerproduct3540]

As an Irish person who lives in the Republic, as far as I can tell, it's not economically viable rn, and right now there's the massive spanner of Brexit in the works. It's almost as if all the border states in the US decided to secede from the nation, and so all your South American/Canadian imports were now cut off, or at least the situation has been made incredibly unnecessarily convoluted.

[@grandmalovesmebest]

@@justbeyondthecornerproduct3540 thanks. It is awesome to have citizens explain what is happening in other countries since whatever little, if anything, we are told is likely bs.👌

[@jackietreehorn5561]

Power sharing only came about in 1998 from the good Friday agreement....both sides have voices now but they can't agree on anything...both sides equally as bitter to each other there is no middle ground....it's a sad state of affairs... northern politics will always be tribal, still the bigotry is pronounced sadly

[@tehkast]

Mentions in Northen Ireland Catholics and Prodistants had access to different things what are those things referenced and how would they have different access if both in the North ?

[@elonmush4793]

this video was helpful but I still don't understand

[@mastorovich]

Just look at the map and you'll understand who's Irland is ;)

[@thidev7107]

bruh ur contradicting what u just said before

[@paulinegran2049]

same here.

[@podgemuller]

In 1969 Catholics in the north of Ireland didn't have a vote. Civil rights marches formed into chaos the British Army was called in and started attacking the Catholics with collusion from the British government.

[@SuperTonyony]

Do the people of Northern Ireland feel that they absolutely must be a part of the UK? What if Northern Ireland were independent, rather than being absorbed into the Republic of Ireland? This might solve the problem of Northern Islanders who have reservations about joining the Republic of Ireland.

[@katie323]

They simply cannot afford to be independent.

[@tonyb7615]

never.

[@justbeyondthecornerproduct3540]

A tiny majority feel that yes, they absolutely must remain part of the UK. So, independence doesn't make sense.

[@katie323]

@@justbeyondthecornerproduct3540 Actually, it has been proven that more want independence from Britain, there are slightly more nationalists than unionists as Catholics tend to have more children.

[@operationcreation5583]

I think this is a very interesting thing to consider, it would separate nationalists from the UK but would allow the unionists to rule themselves rather than Dublin ruling them. This could possibly work it is just, do nationalists prefer to unify with Ireland, or not be ruled by Britain.

[@johyuujin3079]

bottom line is that most of the worlds problems have their roots in england and religion, especially religion

[@Chet73]

@@johyuujin3079 Christianity is not the problem. Mankind is the problem.

[@bluecollarlit]

Gerrymandering should be removed, and fair electoral maps made. Everyone should have the same rights. Free and fair elections. What would be the rationale to pay a Catholic person less than a protestant person, in a job? In America we have our own corrupt gerrymandering mess to clean up. Thanks for the video.

[@stephenwright8824]

As a lifelong resident of Massachusetts, I feel oddly obliged to apolgise on behalf of my state for gerrymandering. One of our 19th century governors, Elbridge Gerry, used it to stay in office. We're sorry.

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Carson, idk. Why pay a woman less than a man? Or why pay footballers millions of dollars while paying the president thousands?

[@projectilequestion]

The Gerrymandering ended decades ago.

[@Cupofwater12345]

Ugh school work

[@DJRAJEE]

Thanks

[@stevesmylie2448]

There is one common denominator in all of thirty plus years of the Troubles, whether you were Catholic or Protestant, North or South, IRA, or Loyal to the Crown, ALL of the Irish bled red. My question is, is there any room for forgiveness? And if there isn't then there will be no peace in the valley.

[@mikkiminach9539]

The Civil Rights movement in America definitely influenced this movement heavily

[@mjh5437]

Maybe that`s why its such a mess.

[@kevinnolan1339]

By 'settlers' I think it's more accurate and appropriate to say 'planters' as it was as a result of a policy of plantation they settled.

[@Johnnyfive55]

You went easy on the unionists. What people need to understand is the wrongs were carried out in the formation of the statelet. A protestant state for a protestant people was the mantra of the day. In order to do that, they were very very careful with the border. They couldn't take all of ulster because there wasn't enough of them there hold it electorally . Only taking two countries was not big enough for a functioning state you see - this solutio would have matched, population-wise the India Pakistan devision? So they took six countries and gerrymandered the vote to maintain total control. Built a police force of near total protestant membership and brutality quelled any decent. Of course the civil right in the US sparked decent. The Catholics of the North, WERE the black of the southern States with even higher proportions to the ruling population

[@JamesHussey404]

The Troubles started from a civil rights movement because Northern Ireland was an Apartheid State discrimnating against the Irish and Catholic population it had nothing to do with staying in the UK or Uniting with Ireland 20 seconds in and already very misinformed.

[@JamesHussey404]

Okay so this video is all disinformation and will only misinform the viewers well done Imperial War Museums

[@Flakey12]

Good explanation.. i live here and theres not much shootings and bombs and stuff nowadays and the main thing is both sides are not shooting each other.. though i must say never ever will both sides trust other much, infact it doesn't take much to kick a riot off between both sides and it still happens often. And i can't see any of the walls coming down but life in NI is alot better and hopefully one day they will be full peace. But its funny that both sides wouldn't never feel fully safe to wonder into one anothers areas. Also its funny because if u meet new work mates you always have to figure out which religion incase you say the wrong things and im sure everyone will agree with me on that one lol.

[@jackietreehorn5561]

Communities are still segregated in a lot of areas but since the gfa in 98 and both sides went into government together they can't agree on anything.......the bitterness is still rife in a lot of places......in a way better place now tho.....lot of suspicion still there unfortunately

[@richardanthonygilbey]

🇨🇦💎🇨🇦💎🇨🇦 The problem is the Irish Republic Have Met British Towns such as Bedworth and Nuneaton, Coventry and Birmingham , derby etc etc etc so that’s the end of Northern Ireland’s chances in the Republic Of Ireland. So nothing left but war

[@darthdonkulous1810]

Once again, religion causing hell for people. When you boil it down to it's core, it comes down to religion. This is one of the many reasons I despise the idea of religion. Please note, I said the idea of religion. Not the people who are religious themselves. Most of the time, religious people are just normal, caring, well meaning people.

[@beslanintruder2077]

Religion but also ethnicity and culture. The Protestants in North see themselves as British both in culture and ethnicity. The Catholics see themselves as Irish and Nationalists. Many Protestants but not all came from families that were sent to Ulster from Scotland and England nearly 400 years ago.

[@eoinoconnor5783]

But the conflict wasn’t even about religion.

[@ricmorris9758]

Shoud talk about "where" when it comes to talking about catholic/porastant. A far higher proportion of NI are practicing Catholics than the Republic

[@mclaughlin090]

The civil righters where beat of the streets by the ruc, you painting over a lot

[@Nightdiver20]

He covered a lot of ground in less than 9 minutes

[@andrewhall7930]

The Troubles could be said to start with the Easter Rising , or one could start 300-400 years earlier. The Easter Rising isn't wrong but it isn't really correct.

[@thomasryan6254]

A united Ireland is the only way

[@ant7699]

Yeah. I don't get it. Why can't they just get on. Work through problems peacefully

[@RobertK1993]

A war started by Anglo Norman invasion of Ireland in May 1169

[@mjh5437]

Oh good,we can blame the French instead 😁😆😅

[@brianmacc1934]

Not a complicated story , takes 10sec to understand , allow me : the english invaded and everything that goes with it , the irish fight back and all that goes with that . English still here .............

[@J-678hdj]

What the ira terrorists did in those times was disgusting

[@geoffpoole483]

The same goes for the loyalist paramilitaries.

[@ryanOGab]

As someone from there from omagh of all places as an atheist. I find the whole thing laughable.

[@termniko]

feel like the information of what the british actively did against the irish people over the past 100 years was overlooked

[@Iguazu65]

Conflict is a watered down word. It was a war. The genesis was civil rights or more to the point a legal, political and labour systems that amounted to apartheid. Every general election in NI was guaranteed to deliver the same result. Which means that every democratic election in the U.K. since 1922 was contaminated with NI votes that were not democratic, by law. That was never a consideration in the past and Brexit holds up a mirror to that legacy.

[@eddiestaunton514]

I can sum it up even easier for ye, The troubles were caused by the British invading another peoples Country

[@marykelly9698]

If you want to know about Northern Ireland go and ask the people who lived in it because people make up stories especially when they don't have a clue what went on

[@109367]

Wow I thought The Troubles were a group of people, I need to learn more lol

[@johyuujin3079]

troubles is what you have when your car doesn't work right. A WAR is what you have when 1000's die and many more 1000s have injuries

[@TM-jo4wz]

Sounds/looks familiar.

[@richardfoley-kk3oi]

Catholic is cat links..this not a religion..everyone's not married.. this will blow up

[@jeandeprsio3025]

Yep. 16 and 17th century. Henry just had to accomplish that son. Wonder if he was bright enough to predict how long it would last This will never go away.

[@grandmalovesmebest]

It wont as long as ppl benefit by it, wh is why they won't let it go. Same as in US w hx of slavery, even though it ended 1865, civil rights legislation came about 100 yrs later, ppl still scream and kill each other over it.

[@lukemiller118]

Like always, Religion destroys all.

[@johnmackey9878]

The conflict in Northern Ireland isn’t a sectarian one though, there are sectarian elements but the dividing line is national identity not religion

[@eoinoconnor5783]

It wasn’t a conflict about religion.

[@Jim54_]

How Protestants and Catholics, two groups of people who worship the same god, same Jesus, and use the same bible, don’t get on, just baffles the mind

[@katie323]

To be fair, for the majority of people it really isn’t religion. It’s more so independence vs. British rule.

[@conlaiarla]

If you paid attention then perhaps you might .

[@mikkiminach9539]

It’s not even just religion, they were never alike anyways. England were wealth-hungry, selfish conquerors. Ireland wasn’t

[@jackietreehorn5561]

More so to do with identity

[@Jim54_]

@@katie323 Academic Research says otherwise: ‘Anti-Catholicism cannot be dismissed as sociologically 'not of major interest' (Jenkins 1997:112). While doctrinal and theological disputes are in themselves not sociologically fecund, sociology has an in-put into explaining why, in some restricted social settings, four-century old theological conflicts remain pertinent. As stressed here, ancient theological disputes can resonate because of high levels of religiosity, but the absence of secularisation is only part of a sociological account. In some settings, ancient religious differences are functional equivalents of other lines of differentiation. In this kind of social milieux, anti-Catholicism does important interactional work. It is one of the major resources which define group boundaries, and it helps to create and rationalise social closure, because it constitutes a significant part of the 'cultural stuff', as Jenkins himself puts it (1997), which comprises ethnicity in Northern Ireland. Although this argument is restricted to the Northern Irish case, it is possible to speculate about anti-Catholicism having wider applicability to other ethnic conflicts which have a real dimension, most notably in Bosnia’. (Source: UNDERSTANDING ANTI-CATHOLICISM IN NORTHERN IRELAND Author(s): John D. Brewer and Gareth I. Higgins Source: Sociology , MAY 1999, Vol. 33, No. 2 (MAY 1999), pp. 235-255 Published by: Sage Publications, Ltd.)

[@joprocter4573]

Settlers were there since ice age the tue invaders were from Spain n Mediterranean pirates and traders now named Irish.

[@keithdavidson4723]

As someone who grew up during the troubles in Northern Ireland, in very broad brush terms you’re correct, but since this report the election of Joe Biden, whose party has historically always backed the Irish side - and been involved in raising funds for Republican Paramilitaries to buy guns and explosives - and the EU’s attempts to effectively annexe Northern Ireland in breach of the Good Friday Agreement (the Peace Agreement) has caused much upset and some return to violence by the fringe elements, which is very worrying for the majority of people who never want to see violence ever return. [Better not to mention the start of the conflict in 1690 which would only serve to really confuse people].

[@michaelking9772]

That's a Joke it started long before 1690 , learn or read some History sir.!!!

[@EamonnKee]

EU's attemot to Annex NI?? What load of crap. EU is just a trading block of collaborating independent nations. NI voted remain and it is doing way better than the rest of the UK under brexit. Your Annexation comment is rubbish. The EU is extending is just giving NI WAY better trading terms.