Describe the disadvantages faced by Catholics in Northern Ireland in the mid-1960s.

The Catholics rights were severely infringed due to the Protestants genuine fear that the IRA would try to gain control of Northern Ireland. The Catholics were deemed 'disloyal' (B) by Sir Basil Brooke and the entire Protestant community 'discriminated against Catholics' (A) so that by demonstrating power over them and by making them look 'inferior' and 'unequal' it would look seemingly impossible for the IRA to be able to 'overthrow' the Protestants in Northern Ireland.

(469 words)

How did Protestant politicians explain the social, economic and political differences between Catholics and Protestants?

In Northern Ireland the Protestants, who were in the majority, were genuinely scared of the Catholic community and thus persecuted them to ensure their own survival and well-being. What looked like blatant sadism and pointless 'prejudice' to the Catholics, was actually an attempt by the Protestants to remain united and in the majority in Northern Ireland.

Sir Basil Brooke regarded it as a necessity to employ only Protestants, as Catholics were 'disloyal' (A) and by employing them you were 'disenfranchising' (A) yourself and thus weakening your own political situation. He was severely worried that by employing Catholics, you were giving them too much political strength and that subsequently Protestants would soon find themselves in the 'minority instead of the majority.' (A) He felt that he had to protect the situation as he was once a very influential figure and this compares well to Source B. Both sources fear for the survival of a Protestant Northern Ireland. The Protestants claim that they could only have expected the same to have happened in 'a United Catholic Ireland'. (B) The Unionists believed that the Catholics would always work to 'undermine us'. (B) These quotes are clearly excuses for the Protestants unworthy actions. They believed that it was their 'duty' (B) to protect the 'British crown' (B) and the 'Union Jack,' (B) and were therefore entitled to go to any extreme to carry out their 'duties'. (B) Clearly both Sources feared being submerged by Catholics.

But a loyalist then pointed out that 'we were all poor,' (C) but the Catholics seemed poorer because they had 'huge families' (C) and 'drank heavily' (C) and so he believed that the Catholics 'did not help themselves' (C) and that it was there own fault that they suffered due to their choice of lifestyle. This view can be compared with Source I where Lord Dunleath believed that the community was 'essentially at peace with itself.' (I) This was ironically true although it would be naïve to suggest that there was no violence whatsoever. Both Sources claim that the 'vast majority' (I) of Protestants had a 'moderate outlook' (I) and not a discriminatory one, which the Catholics soon came to believe. These Sources also bare a certain similarity with Source G, where O'Neill effectively denies that there is a major difference caused by prejudice and claimed that 'our system is fair' (G) and that no 'gerrymandering' took place. This was not an accurate representation as even though a 'smaller number of electors' (G) were voted for, this was usually because the Catholic community had their 'voting rights restricted' and were unable to elect their chosen MP's.

In contrast however Sources D, E, F and H adopt the extreme view that Ulster was 'God's gift to Protestants' (D) and that 'we'll fight if we have to' (F) so as to rid Ulster from the 'prevailing evil in our mist.' They see the threat arising from 'Dublin' (F) and will not accept 'being united' (F) as the campaign to 'suppress Protestantism increases.' (F) This view is clearly similar to the Israelis view that 'we are God's chosen people.' As 'Catholicism is unscriptural' (D) Source H believed that the 'underprivileged minority' were an utter drain on the economy and agrees that there is a problem, but on the grounds that it is a Catholic one. While they were given 'state benefits' (H) they 'contributed nothing' to society apart from a 'higher birth rate.' In many respects though, they were unlikely to be able to contribute much because they never had satisfactory jobs or housing to do so.

The Protestant actions to prevent the Catholics ever having a 'majority' (A) in Northern Ireland may have been different, but the explanation for why they were doing it was the same, and that was because they genuinely 'feared becoming extinct in a Catholic Ireland.'

(512 words)

Why were British troops sent to Northern Ireland in August 1969?

The British intervened in Northern Ireland as the Catholics were suffering great oppression from the Protestant mobs. Even though the IRA were of little or no significance in these affairs, the British were worried that the IRA would re-emerge to defend the Catholics, and thus to try to bring the whole situation to a peaceful close, the British 'troops were sent in.' (E)

The job of the police is to enforce law and order within the nation and we soon learn that many policemen 'were guilty of misconduct' (A) which suggested that the Protestants were not capable of running the country as the police were part of unnecessary violence that included 'assault' (A) and 'malicious' (A) vandalism 'to property.' (A) Clearly the British were 'embarrassed' (A) by such 'blatantly biased policing' (A) and felt it their duty to send in troops, not only for the sake of the Catholics, but also for the British governments reputation.

Soon the crisis had 'deepened considerably' (B) and to make matters worse for the Catholics 'Major James Chichester-Clarke' (B) replaced O'Neill, who sought to 'negotiate' (B), proving not all Protestants were bigots, as Prime Minister. He was not in favour of change, relaxing or reforming and it is clear that the leadership had hardened, which inevitably leads to conflict. The British government 'looked on nervously' thus suggesting they had to do something to save their reputation.

After many 'riots' however, the 'police' (C) were 'exhausted' (C), especially as 'eight people died' (C) and '750 were injured.' (C) At this stage there was clear necessity for the police to be replaced with British forces as without a police force anarchy and chaos reigns, thus significantly worsening the already dire situation.

The British government however, inevitably took a 'more active role' (D) as British troops were allowed to be 'deployed.' (D) They were sent in to bring Northern Ireland back under more direct control, as a peacekeeping force even though the Stormont government were still theoretically 'responsible for security'. (D) This was a desperate act in which London tried to pull parts of the United Kingdom back together.

The troops 'were already on standby' (E) and the 'Battle of the Bogside' (E) acted as the catalyst that had been brewing for a long time. It was the 'final straw' for Britain and confirmed their view to send troops in to Northern Ireland, especially as Stormont admitted that it was 'losing its grip' and required urgent assistance.

The British had to act quickly as 'riots erupted in Belfast,' (F) thus suggesting that they were spreading like fire. The 'troops deployed' (F) were 'too few in number' (F) to have 'any effect,' (F) and thus it was a matter of 'using the army properly' (F) or succumb to 'anarchy.'(F) In order to prevent 'a pogrom' (F) the forces had to be 'deployed' (D) or there was the possibility of a 'full-scale civil war' (F) commencing. Subsequently the army came in 'en masse,' (F) so as to prevent the IRA rejuvenating and to seize vital control.

We can now see that it was essential that the British forces 'gained control' over Northern Ireland as the '3000 strong RUC' (G) was too insignificant and 'biased' (G) to soothe the 'Catholic community.' (G) Stormont was unable to gain control of the 'growing violence' (G) and it could not 'deliver reforms' (G) that were 'sufficient for Catholics,' (G) without 'provoking' (G) a 'huge Protestant backlash.' (G) Stormont was clearly caught between the 'devil and the deep blue sea' and only the British army had the 'manpower and training,' (G) together with 'relative even-handedness' (G) to succeed in the prevention of 'total sectarian chaos.'

(611 words)

Total word count: 1592

Tom Owens

Set 2