The campaign for civil rights

The Campaign for Civil Rights

Background

  • The roots of the civil rights movement can be traced back to discrimination faced by the Catholic/nationalist community in Northern Ireland.
  • Discrimination was experienced in areas like housing allocation, employment, and voting. Being predominantly unionist, local councils favoured Protestant/unionist communities.

Establishment of NICRA

  • The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) was established in 1967 to address these discriminatory actions.
  • The founders of NICRA included people from a variety of political backgrounds, united by the goal to end discrimination.
  • NICRA’s demands included: one man, one vote; an end to gerrymandering; and an end to discrimination in housing and employment.
  • NICRA adopted non-violent methods inspired by the American Civil Rights Movement, organising peaceful marches and protests.

Reactions

  • The peaceful protests were often met with violence from both the police force (the Royal Ulster Constabulary or RUC) and loyalist counter-protesters.
  • The Battle of the Bogside in August 1969 saw serious riots between the Bogside residents (a predominantly Catholic area of Derry) and the RUC. This led to the deployment of the British Army in Northern Ireland.

Impact

  • The civil rights movement significantly exposed the internal problems of Northern Ireland to the rest of the world.
  • It resulted in the British government becoming more directly involved in Northern Ireland affairs.
  • However, it also exacerbated sectarian tensions and contributed to the outbreak of The Troubles.

Examining Sources

  • It’s important to consider the perspectives and bias when examining historical sources about the civil rights movement. Be aware of whether sources are from nationalist/Catholic, unionist/Protestoant, or neutral parties.

Perspectives

  • The views on the NICRA and the civil rights campaign are polarised. Some saw it as a legitimate protest against discrimination, while others viewed it as a republican plot to destabilise Northern Ireland and bring about unification with the Republic.

This is a significant topic in Northern Ireland’s recent history. Understanding the roots and impact of the civil rights campaign will allow a comprehensive grasp of the society and politics during this era.