The Troubles

The Troubles refers to the nationalist conflicts in Northern Ireland which unfolded in the second half of the 20th century. Even though Northern Ireland decided to remain a part of the United Kingdom in 1921 following the War of Independence, the region continued to be home to both Catholics and Protestants, and both Irish and British people. In general, Irish Catholics were nationalists/republicans, and Protestant British were unionists/loyalists. 

The conflict between the two parts led to the Irish Civil War (1922-1923). Loyalists accepted the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the partition of the country. The republicans rejected it and would go on as the IRA, fighting for Northern Ireland.

After the Irish Civil War, two political groups – republicans/nationalists and loyalists/unioni...