1969 and the outbreak of the Northern Ireland Troubles

The year 1969 is generally taken to be the start of the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland. It is key to understand why.

The Summer of '69 arrived and Northern Ireland was indeed, as O'Neill had predicted, at a crossroads. A collection of events was dangerously building up the tension towards the most dangerous and divided time of year - the Summer 'marching season'

THE KEY EVENTS IN THE BUILD UP TO THE SUMMER OF '69
O'NEILL had resigned

CHICHESTER CLARK had taken over as Unionist leader and Prime Minister of Northern Ireland but things had changed little with the same policies and the same divisions as O'Neill had faced
NICRA & other Civil Rights marches were continuing. They were also facing the same LOYALIST COUNTER DEMONSTRATIONS AND PROTESTS.
THE MARCHING SEASON approached (when many Protestant bands march in the Summer - This often stirred up anger and trouble and was a real worry in 1969.
THE UNIONIST STORMONT GOVERNMENT found its security forces desperately overstretched. It was deeply worried if it could cope with any increasing violence
The BRITISH GOVERNMENT also began to keep a close eye on events after being shocked at what was happening in a corner of the UK they had long ignored... and little understood.
The IRISH GOVERNMENT were deeply worried about the situation too - especially of the Catholic/nationalist community. They sent an intelligence officer to keep an eye on what was happening.
There was a rise in ARMED GROUPS/Paramilitaries in both communities.
LOYALISTS (Protestant) formed paramilitary gangs. They were deeply angry at what they regarded was forced concessions (things being given away) to nationalists
REPUBLICANS (Catholic) The IRA were being made fun of. They had little weapons or men and showed an inability to protect their communities. IRA was being described as I RAN AWAY.

Following all the events of early 1969, from Burntollet Bridge to O'Neill resigning, it was the Summer marching season when things would really become much worse. The Summer of '69 saw serious sectarian violence break out in both Belfast and Derry.

The annual APPRENTICE BOYS march in Derry in August created even more tension in August 1969. Tensions had been built up since the attack on Peoples Democracy marchers at Burntollet bridge in January. The residents of the Bogside in Derry were prepared. It turned into a devastating 50 hour full scale battle with security forces.

Over 50 hours of rioting resulted in many injured and destruction to large parts of the Bogside. A DAIRY was raided in Derry and 40,000 bottles seized for petrol bombs. Protestors were also able to make use of the Blocks of flats which dominated the area and allowed them to target Policemen below.
The Battle of the Bogside sucked in limited police resources in Northern Ireland leaving the RUC (Police) exhausted and overstretched. Their battle to control the area was shown on TV and did much to damage the image of the NI security forces. Bricks; Bottles; Petrol bombs; CS and tear gas and rubber bullets were all used in the battle of the Bogside.
The government of the Republic was so concerned it sent soldiers to the border and set up a military hospital. This only increased Unionist anger and concern about the intentions of the Republic of Ireland.
Eventually the use of small numbers of British soldiers helped to end the battle but by then the sparks had spread elsewhere.. Belfast

One of the worst aspects of the Summer of 1969 was the outbreak of sectarian tension where thousands of people were forced to move or BURNT OUT of their homes.
This followed on from the Battle of the Bogside and was mostly carried out by loyalists (although it did occur on both sides) 3,500, mostly Catholic families were driven from their homes. This was roughly 5% of Catholic homes in Belfast affected.
The picture shows BOMBAY STREET in West Belfast which had survived the World War 2 Blitz only to be destroyed in 1969.

Bombay street, Belfast - destruction described as worse than the Blitz of 1941

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The trouble spreads to many towns across Northern Ireland. In many parts of Belfast, sectarian rioting was intense. The security forces were being overstretched dealing with so much trouble

7 People were killed that Summer
3,500 families were driven from their homes
700 people were wounded in the violence.
170 houses were burned down
Paramilitary groups on both sides were increasing in strength and numbers.

1) THE IRISH GOVERNMENT THREATEN TO INTERVENE.

The Irish Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, was deeply concerned by events in Northern Ireland. He orders an Irish Intelligence officer to the North to keep an eye on the situation and report back. He also orders soldiers and an Irish Military hospital to the border to handle those injured in the violence.
Unionists saw this as a blatant threat to Northern Ireland.

2) THE BRITISH ARMY WERE SENT IN TO NORTHERN IRELAND

The riots, burnings and the battle of the Bogside, shocked the British people and finally convinced the British Government to get directly involved in the Province to help bring back law and order.

In AUGUST 1969 they ordered British troops to Northern Ireland. Their role was

To 'Keep the Peace,'
'Protect Catholic Communities from attacks'
Importantly it was to 'give enough breathing space for politicians to actually find a solution to the problems.'

Ironically, the British troops were warmly welcomed in Catholic districts. This was after weeks of attacks from Protestants. They preferred British troops to the local police.
Of course this was regarded as a honeymoon period. The Army commander knew this and urged politicians to find a solution before time ran out!

British troops were initally welcomed by Catholics in Belfast

BBC BITESIZE VIDEO : TROOPS ON THE STREETS 1969

3) THE RE-EMERGENCE OF THE IRA

The IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY (IRA) were deeply criticised by Catholic communities for failing to protect them during the burnings and violence of August 1969. IRA became known as I Ran Away!!

The organisation had declined considerably since calling off its armed border campaign in the early 1960's. It had since become much more political and ideological. It lacked proper weapons or recruits to be effective. This however was changing rapidly with events.

IRA recruits on the streets of Belfast

The events of 1969 caused turmoil among Republicans. They had appeared humiliated by events and by failing to adequately protect their communities from attack. Various courses of action and also different political thinking led to a deep division in the Republican movement into TWO distinct parts

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3) NICRA CIVIL RIGHTS

5) Paramilitaries and Internment