How far do you think Bloody Sunday was a turning point in the course of the troubles of Northern Ireland?

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How far do you think “Bloody Sunday” was a turning point in the course of the troubles of Northern Ireland?

        

Disagreements between the Protestant and Catholic communities in Northern Ireland have existed for centuries, but the problems escalated into all-out conflict in the late 1960s when the British army became involved. Since then, thousands of people have died in bombings and shootings carried out by both sides. There are turning points which are argued by many historians that led to the course of troubles in Northern Ireland, some cases stronger than others for example the event of Bloody Sunday in 1972, which is seen as one of the most significant turning points in that it caused a lot of problems economically, socially and politically. Other turning points which are argued by historians include the introduction of internment, the Battle of the Bogside, the introduction of British troops into Northern Ireland and also the Falls Road Curfew.

One strong argument is that “Bloody Sunday” is a major turning point in the course of troubles of Northern Ireland. In Londonderry on Sunday 30th January 1972, there was a huge protest march against the use of internment which was organised by the Civil Rights Movement. The British Parachute Regiment troops sealed off the area and as a result of this stones were being hailed towards them by youths and objectors in the streets. The soldiers of the regiment claimed that they were fired at and returned fire. The result of the shootings ended with 13 marchers, all apparently unarmed, being killed. Many historians argue that Bloody Sunday should be seen as a turning point in the course of troubles of Northern Ireland because of the conflict and violence it caused between the British and objectors of the march. However it can also be argued that Bloody Sunday was not a turning point down to the fact that something similar to it was more likely to happen sooner or later anyway because there was no stability or order within Northern Ireland. Also the amount of violence and conflict was growing in Northern Ireland already and Bloody Sunday simply added to it. Also it is argued Bloody Sunday simply built up what already existed in Northern Ireland.

The PIRA, Provisional Irish Republican Army, campaign against Northern Ireland being part of the United Kingdom had begun two years before the events of Bloody Sunday, but views of the day increased the status of and recruitment into the Republican Army. Bloody Sunday remains amongst the most major events in the recent troubles of Northern Ireland and a turning point in the course of troubles. This case can be argued because it was carried out by the army in full public and press view. The actions of the British Parachute Regiment in shooting dead 13 unarmed Civil Rights protestors greatly strengthened Irish Republicans' arguments within their own community and provided the PIRA with a flood of fresh recruits for its "long war". Ivan Cooper who is best known for leading an anti-internment march which ended up in the massacre of Bloody Sunday stated “I just want to say this to the British Government… You know what you've just done, don't you? You've destroyed the civil rights movement, and you've given the IRA the biggest victory it will ever have. All over this city tonight, young men... boys will be joining the IRA, and you will reap a whirlwind”. This comment from the MP clearly states a claim that it was the British troops that caused all the problems and helped the IRA. In addition to this, the international condemnation taking place was also significant. America and the Republic helped funding the IRA which also increased support in the USA and made the IRA stronger. Furthermore it can be argued that Bloody Sunday increased sectarian division within Northern Ireland which led to the formation of the UDA, who were a Loyalist Paramilitary group who aimed to protect the Union with Britain and retain the British rule in Northern Ireland.

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The number of lives lost on Bloody Sunday and the harsh international reaction to the killings convinced ministers to re-examine their security policies and the kind of political advice they were getting from the Unionist run government at Stormont. Westminster decided that it must have full control over law and order but Stormont resisted. As a result many people opposed this and Hennessy argues that the abolition of Stormont created a wave of alarm throughout the Unionist Community. Due to Stormont being closed many Unionists began joining paramilitaries which can be said to cause more problems. So with this in ...

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