Irish history

The Northern Ireland issue, also known as the "Ulster dispute", is one of the most intractable problems faced by successive British governments since the First World War. For a long time, the conflict and opposition between Catholics and Protestants, as well as the violent activities of Irish peace forces, have gradually complicated and sharpened this issue, which has attracted the attention of the international community.

Northern Ireland, the earliest region, is the smallest of the four major parts of Britain, with an area of10.4 million square kilometers and an existing population of10.6 million, of which 58.6% believe in Protestantism and 38.4% believe in Roman Catholicism. Protestants are descendants of immigrants from Scotland and England and want to stay in Britain. The political representative is the United Party. On the other hand, Catholics insisted on merging with Ireland. Politically, the moderates representing them are the Social Democratic Labor Party, and the radicals are the Irish Peace Army and its political party Sinn Fein. The dispute between the two factions over the ownership of Northern Ireland and the violent conflict caused by it have made the situation in the region turbulent for a long time.

The Northern Ireland issue is a continuation of the long-standing Irish issue in British history, and the British colonial expansion and its divide-and-rule policy are the historical roots of this issue.

Irish people are descendants of ancient Celts and have lived on the island of Ireland for generations. In the 5th century, with the introduction of Roman Catholicism, Irish people gradually believed in Catholicism. At the end of the 8th century, Ireland had a unified civilization and laws, but there was no unified country politically.

/kloc-at the end of 0/2, King Henry II of England took advantage of the split situation in Ireland, led his troops to land on the island of Ireland, forced the governors to swear allegiance by force, and began to conquer Ireland. During the Tudor dynasty, Britain strengthened its control over Ireland and set out to establish legal and political order on the island.

1603, the Stuart dynasty entered Britain and then colonized Ireland in a planned way. Encouraged by the government, a large number of Protestant immigrants from Scotland and England came to the northern province of elster. A large area of land in Ireland was occupied, most Catholics were driven to the desolate west, and a small part almost stayed as tenant farmers. After nearly 10 years of colonial activities, Britain finally successfully established a Protestant colony in elster, and Protestant immigrants have surpassed local Catholics, thus sowing the seeds of conflict.

During the English Revolution, Cromwell launched a colonial war against Ireland. A large number of Catholics were slaughtered and the land was divided up by British immigrants. By the end of 17, Ireland was completely under British control.

Under the influence of the North American War of Independence and the French Revolution, the Irish launched a large-scale anti-British uprising. The British authorities carried out brutal repression, and in 180 1, the British-Irish Merger Act was passed, which formally incorporated Ireland into the territory of the British Empire, and Ireland completely lost its political and economic independence.

After the merger, Protestantism was declared the state religion of Ireland, while Catholics were deprived of their basic political and civil rights. The ethnic conflicts between Britain and Ireland are more intense, and the Irish people's struggle for national liberation is constantly rising. The Catholic Liberation Movement, the Cancellation of Merger Movement, the Armed Uprising of Fenia Party and the Youth Ireland Movement all shook the ruling foundation of Britain again and again.

1In the 1970s, a large-scale Irish political movement for autonomy began. Under the resolute struggle of the Irish Autonomous Party and the Irish people, the Liberal government put forward two autonomy bills in 1886 and 1892, but they were rejected twice because of the resolute opposition of the Radical Party and the Conservative Party. 19 12, the third autonomy bill was promulgated and passed three times in the lower house. According to the new parliamentary law promulgated by 19 1 1, the bill will automatically become law and be implemented in two years. Just as the autonomy movement was about to win, a powerful opposition core was formed in northern elster.

For a long time, the Protestant-dominated Ulster region has also joined the Irish movement for national rights and interests. However, with the rise of the autonomy movement and the proposal of the autonomy bill, the Protestant forces in elster gradually broke away from the movement and joined the opponents. In terms of religious belief, unlike southern Ireland, most residents of Ors believe in Protestantism; At the same time, with the support of Britain, the industry in this area has developed rapidly, and the level of economic development is relatively higher than that of southern counties. It has close religious and economic ties with Britain, so it strongly supports the merger with Britain and is strongly supported by the British Conservative Party. Finally, all those who opposed elster's local autonomy joined forces to form its political organization, the United Party. They signed a solemn covenant against autonomy, with 4765438+100000 signatures. 19 13, the "Erster Volunteers" was established, indicating that it would oppose autonomy by force. In southern Ireland, Catholics who supported autonomy also formed the "Irish Volunteers" based on Ireland and the Brotherhood. Just when the relationship between the two sides was tense and civil war was on the verge, World War I broke out. Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland participated in the British foreign war, which temporarily eased the opposition and conflict between the two sides.

After the First World War, the Irish gradually realized that the only way to get rid of British colonial rule was to achieve national independence completely. In this way, the Irish Autonomous Party gradually declined. Sinn Fein won the majority of seats in the parliamentary elections in June. They declared an independent republic, which was supported by 80% Irish voters. In order to prevent Ireland from going further on the issue of autonomy, and to quell Oest's opposition, 19 19 February, the British government revised the autonomy law. According to the new plan, the whole of Ireland will be autonomous, and two independent parliaments will be established in Dublin and Belfast, but representatives will still be sent to the Imperial Parliament. This amendment became a formal law in192065438+February. Protestant Unionists expressed their support for this plan and soon established their own parliaments and governments in six northern counties, but they were all under the jurisdiction of the imperial government. Sinn Fein in the south is firmly opposed. After more than two years of war, Britain and Ireland reached a compromise and signed a treaty in February 192 165438. Britain recognized that the 26 counties in the south were completely autonomous and established the Irish Free State. Six northern counties are still under British jurisdiction in the name of "Northern Ireland". In this way, the situation of the split between the north and the south of Ireland island appeared.

After the establishment of the autonomous government, Catholics in Northern Ireland became a minority, accounting for 33% of the total population and Protestants for 67%. Catholics strongly oppose the new constitution and self-government in Northern Ireland and refuse to participate in government agencies at all levels led by Protestants.

After World War II, Catholics gradually gave up their support for the Peace Corps and started a peaceful civil rights movement. After losing the dependent Peace Corps, in the following 20 years, they basically gave up violence and joined the Catholic civil rights movement, and the situation in Northern Ireland was relatively calm.

1967, the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, mainly composed of Catholics, was established on the platform of fighting for equal civil rights and political participation opportunities. The civil rights association mobilized Catholics to hold demonstrations in major cities, demanding that the government carry out reforms. Faced with strong pressure, the Northern Ireland government has taken some cautious civil rights reform measures. This caused strong dissatisfaction among Protestant extremists, especially the Orange Belt Party. They encouraged some Protestants to hold anti-government demonstrations in various places and shouted "Never give in!" . At the same time, many Protestant terrorist organizations came into being and attacked a large number of Catholics who participated in the civil rights movement. The Irish Peace Army quickly revived as a "Catholic protector" and launched fierce confrontation with Protestant extremists and their terrorist organizations in various places. The situation in Northern Ireland is turbulent again. The government collapsed several times because of its inability to control the situation, and the reform plan was declared bankrupt.

From 65438 to 0969, large-scale sectarian conflicts began to appear. The activities of the orange belt party and Protestant terrorist organizations to attack Catholics have gradually escalated; Encouraged by the Peace Corps, Catholics abandoned the peaceful civil rights movement and began to take violent measures against Protestants. The confrontation between the two sides has become increasingly acute, and the police and the government have been unable to control the turbulent situation and can only let it develop day by day. Northern Ireland is on the brink of civil war.

In August, after weeks of violent clashes in Delhi and Belfast, 500 British soldiers were ordered to station in Northern Ireland. After the introduction, the British army kept coming to reinforce. The arrival of the army failed to calm the situation, and the fighting between the two sides increased. Although the British came to maintain order, they said they would not protect either side. But it is actually relatively conniving at Protestants. This caused widespread opposition from Catholics, and the Irish Peace Army declared: "Another war between Britain and Ireland has begun."

197 1 In August, in view of the constant violent conflicts in major cities, the British government promulgated the Special Powers Act and arrested hundreds of terrorist suspects, most of whom were Catholics. This obvious bias in favor of Protestants aroused strong dissatisfaction among Catholics, which eventually led to an anti-government demonstration of 1972+ 15000 people held in Delhi on October 30th. The British army opened fire on the parade, killing dozens of people, and Protestant terrorist organizations also took the opportunity to attack Catholics in the parade. Catholics and the army immediately retaliated.

In order to control the situation, the British government announced in March 1972 that it would suspend the functions and powers of the Northern Ireland government for one year, and put six counties under British direct control, and said that it would work out a solution to the Northern Ireland crisis as soon as possible.

1973 In March, the draft constitution of Northern Ireland drafted by the British government was promulgated. According to this plan, a parliament and a government including Catholics will be established according to the principle of proportional representation, and Catholics' equal rights in elections, political participation, employment, housing and education will be confirmed. In addition, it also said that it would set up a committee composed of Britain, Ireland and Northern Ireland to give a speech on the future of Northern Ireland.

In June, the new parliamentary elections in Northern Ireland began, and a coalition government headed by the United Party was established. Social Democratic Labor Party, a moderate party representing Catholics, also participated in the political power.

65438+February, Britain, Ireland and Northern Ireland began negotiations on the future of Northern Ireland. According to the agreement reached between the two sides, an "Irish Affairs Committee" composed of equal representatives from the North and the South will be set up to give a speech on issues of common concern. At the same time, respecting the wishes of the majority in Northern Ireland, Ireland recognizes British sovereignty over six counties; With the consent of the majority in Northern Ireland, Britain also indicated that it was not opposed to the unification of Ireland.

The establishment of the Coalition government and the agreement to solve the problem of northern Ireland's ownership have been supported by most Catholics. However, the Irish Peace Corps believed that this marked the permanence of British interference in Northern Ireland, so it strongly opposed it and immediately launched anti-government terrorist activities in various places. Protestants, especially their extremists, are also very dissatisfied because they have always opposed Catholics' participation in political power. The conflict between the two factions continues. By the spring of 1974, 1000 people had died in violent conflicts in Northern Ireland. The turbulent situation also spread to Ireland, the United States and Britain. In May, in Monaghan and Dublin, Protestant terrorist organizations made many bomb explosions, causing hundreds of deaths and injuries. The Irish Peace Forces also carried out a series of explosions, kidnappings and assassinations in Britain.

In May, a general strike involving tens of thousands of Protestants took place in Nilester. They strongly urged the cabinet to resign and re-elect the parliament in order to rebuild the Protestant regime. Under the strong opposition of Protestants, the Coalition government finally collapsed. Northern Ireland is once again under the direct control of Britain. Since then, Britain has tried several times to rebuild the Northern Ireland regime, all of which ended in failure.

1979 after Margaret Thatcher came to power, the British government began to seek Ireland's cooperation and began the process of solving the Northern Ireland problem with Britain and Ireland. 1982 10 After repeated consultations with all parties, the British government finally held parliamentary elections in Northern Ireland according to the principle of proportional representation, thus interrupting the Northern Ireland regime for 13 years more than rebuilding it. The new regime was supported by Protestants and most Catholics, but only the Irish Peace Army remained strongly opposed. They insisted that Britain stop interfering in Northern Ireland's affairs and withdraw all British troops from Northern Ireland in order to realize the reunification of the whole island, and said that they would use force to achieve this goal.

Since 1990s, great changes have taken place in the world situation and British domestic politics, and the pace of peace in Northern Ireland has been greatly accelerated. 1992 After the big government came to power, the negotiations on the future of Northern Ireland were accelerated. 1At the end of 993, Britain and Ireland issued a joint statement in Downing Street. On the question of whether Northern Ireland stays in the United Kingdom or merges with Ireland, both Britain and Ireland show their respect for the wishes of the majority in six counties. At the same time, the two sides agreed that Sinn Fein, the political representative of the Irish Peace Army, can only participate in the negotiations if it declares a permanent cessation of violence.

After repeated mediation and promises by the United States, the Irish Peace Army finally announced a complete cessation of military operations at the end of August 1994. On June+10, 5438, Protestant terrorist organizations also renounced violence.

In February 65438, Britain and Ireland negotiated with various political forces in Northern Ireland, including Sinn Fein, and signed the framework document in February 1995. On the political settlement of the Northern Ireland issue, this document has made some breakthroughs. Ireland promised to amend the constitution for the first time and cancel the provisions on the ownership of six counties; Britain also indicated that it would adopt laws to confirm the right of Northern Ireland residents to choose their own future. The document also provides for the establishment of a cross-border body composed of representatives of the North and South parliaments to coordinate the interests of both sides.

The framework document has been widely praised by the British and Irish public opinion circles and the Catholic political parties in Northern Ireland, except the Protestant Unity Party. They have always opposed Ireland's interference in Northern Ireland, believing that this will eventually lead to the merger of the North and the South.

However, the achievement of the framework document itself is no small achievement, which points out the direction for the political settlement of the Northern Ireland issue. However, this does not mean that solving the Northern Ireland problem is just around the corner. Because the Northern Ireland issue has a long history and is complicated, its peace process involves not only the British and Irish factions in Northern Ireland, but also the interests of the United States. The differences between the parties are still great, and it is not easy to reach a compromise. Therefore, there is still a long way to go before the Northern Ireland issue can be completely solved.