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Power-sharing
In 1974 the British tried to set up a new system of government in which power would be shared between Protestants and Catholics (Sunningdale Agreement). This system failed because the Protestants opposed it.
Changes in the police and security forces
When British troops were first sent to Ulster in 1969 they were given complete control of all peace-keeping operations and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. In 1977 they handed back control to the RUC.
The Nationalist reaction since 1972
The Parliamentary Nationalists
The SDLP, led by John Hume, are the modern Parliamentary Nationalists. Like O'Connell in the 19th century, they want to solve Ireland's problems by peaceful negotiation.
The Revolutionary Nationalists - The IRA
The IRA is the main modern example of Revolutionary Nationalism. Since the early 1970s it has planted bombs in Northern Ireland and in mainland Britain which have killed and injured ordinary civilians, including children. At times the IRA has changed tactics and has put more emphasis on attacking the police, the army and leading British figures. Lord Mountbatten, the Queen's uncle, was murdered in 1979. In 1984 a bomb planted in a Brighton hotel nearly killed the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, and other government members.
Sinn Féin
In the 1980s some of the younger IRA men, led by Gerry Adams, brought forward a new idea. Using the old name Sinn Féin, they decided to built up a new political party for Revolutionary Nationalists in Ireland.
In the election of 1983 Adams was elected as British MP for West Belfast.
The Sinn Féin attempt to become the voice of the Nationalist community ultimately failed. Adams himself lost his seat as MP to an SDLP politician in 1992.
With widespread criticism of IRA activities, Gerry Adams began to explore a new policy. He decided to encourage IRA/Sinn Féin to end the armed struggle and use peaceful methods. In 1988 Adams began talks with John Hume, the SDLP leader. Adams persuaded the IRA to declare a cease-fire in 1994 and again in 1997. Ten years after the start of the Hume-Adams talks both men supported the 1998 Good Friday Agreement which set up a power-sharing assembly in Northern Ireland.
The Unionist reaction since 1972
In 1971, a new party called the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) was set up, led by Ian Paisley. Paisley was well known for his fiercely anti-Catholic, anti-Nationalist and anti-British government views.
Some extreme Unionists set up Protestant private armies: the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). These organisations specialised in "sectarian" murders: the killing of innocent Catholics in retaliation for IRA attacks on Protestant policemen and part-time soldiers.
No power-sharing
Since 1972, Unionists have opposed all moves to involve Nationalists in the government of Ulster. In 1974 they wrecked the "Power-sharing" system by means of a general strike of all Protestant workers.
Cease-fire and beyond
In 1993 there was an agreement between Adams and Hume. The two men informed Dublin that there was a possibility of the IRA ceasing its violence. On 31 August the IRA announced that there would be a cease-fire. Shortly afterwards the loyalist paramilitaries also declared a cease-fire.
The British government wanted the IRA began to hand over weapon. The IRA refused. In February 1996 the IRA ended the cease-fire, and killed two people in London. In 1997 Tony Blair became British Prime Minister, and his new Labour government tried to get peace talks going. The IRA declared a new cease-fire in July 1997, and Sinn Féin was allowed to join the peace talks. Negotiations continued throughout late 1997 and early 1998. On 10 April 1998, Good Friday, a peace deal was agreed. Under the Good Friday Agreement a new power-sharing assembly was given day-to-day control over Northern Ireland.
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