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The Troubles was a conflict between Irish Republican organizations and the British Army and its Unionist paramilitary supporters.
The conflict was characterized by bombings and assassinations by militant groups, as well as sectarian violence committed against innocent civilians, primarily by Protestant unionist groups against Irish Catholic civilians.
Background
Early British Occupation: 1169-1898
See main article: Early History of Ireland
The first British occupation of Ireland took place in Anglo-1169 while England was ruled by Henry II, when Wexford was occupied. British influence over the island continued to grow with successive invasions, putting Anglo-Irish lords in power around 1250 and creating the Irish Parliament in 1297.[1]
In 1541 Henry VIII had his title changed from Lord of Ireland to King of Ireland, marking the point Britain fully controlled Ireland.[1]
Henry VIII also began the spread of Protestantism in Ireland, which continued in 1558 under Elizabeth I. The spread of Protestantism, often through the suppression of Catholicism was fought back against both by the general public in Ireland and by some Anglo-Irish Lords, beginning a series of revolts and rebellions from 1569 to the 1580s.[1]
Several other rebellions occurred, including one led by Hugh O'Neill in 1595, a Gaelic chief, revolts supported by Spain in the early 1600s.[1]
In 1605 plans to create plantations in Ulster were proposed and followed through with in 1606. These plantations were one of the first widespread examples of settler-colonialism, with predominantly Protestant Scottish and English settlers settling in the North.[1]
In 1642 a civil war between Charles I and the English Parliament began. The same year a rebellion in Ireland, mostly organized by the native Irish Catholics, began. Among the leaders of this uprising was Owen Roe O'Neill, who due to his exploits became a folk hero in later years.[1]
After the end of the civil war in 1649 and the execution of Charles I, Oliver Cromwell emerged as the dominant political figure in England. He led an invasion of Ireland with the goal of destroying the rebellion and crushing Catholic dissent. The massacres committed by his army are widely recognized as genocide. After the invasion the development of Protestant plantations increased.[1]
in 1658 Cromwell died and in 1660 Charles II became king. In 1661 the Irish Parliament was reestablished.[1]
Suppression of Catholicism began to increase, with official positions being limited to members of the Church of Ireland in 1666. In 1678 allegations were made of a Catholic plot to overthrow Charles II. In 1681 Archbishop of Armagh Oliver Plunkett was executed for alleged involvement in the plot.[1]
In 1685 the throne of England passed to the Catholic James II. In 1688 his daughter Mary, a Protestant, and her husband Prince William of Orange arrived in England, claiming the throne. They agreed to rule in 1689, and James II arrived in Ireland, claiming the throne. The next century included several risings by supporters of Charles II and his royal line, called Jacobites. These risings had a large base of support in Ireland, which was often on the front lines.[1]
In 1762 the Whiteboys, and agrarian Catholic organization began to resist oppression of the Irish peasantry.[1]
The enlightenment led to the growth of Liberalism, Republicanism, and Proto-socialism, setting the stage for the United Irishmen rising of 1798.[1]
United Irishmen to Young Ireland: 1798-1848
The Fenians, IRB and Home Rule Movement: 1848-1913
Growing Tensions: 1913-1916
The Easter Rising and Revolution: 1916-1922
Civil War and Underground Movement: 1922-1960s
Growing Tensions and Outbreak of the Troubles: Early 1960s
Groups Involved
History
Effects
Casualties
3,720 people were killed in total during the conflict and approximately 47,541 were injured.[2]