The Troubles in Northern Ireland
Film Supporting Resource Pack by:
Alf Wilkinson
Produced by:
VEA Pty Ltd
Commissioning Editor:
Dee Powell
© Classroom Video Ltd 2012
Reproducing this supporting resource pack
You may download and print one copy of this
supporting resource pack from our website for
your reference. Further downloads, copying or
printing MUST be reported to The Copyright
Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright,
Design and Patents Act 1988.
Producer:
Thomasina Gibson
 0117 929 1924  0117 930 4345  www.classroomvideo.co.uk
Classroom Video Limited, St Thomas Court, Thomas Lane, Bristol, BS1 6JG
The Troubles in Northern Ireland
For Teachers
Brief Summary of Film
This programme explores the Troubles in Northern Ireland since 1968, but they do need to be firmly
placed in historical context if any attempt is to be made to make sense of them. The origins of the
dispute — between Catholics and Protestants, between Unionists and Republicans — date to before
1690, but tensions really began to increase in the 19th and 20th centuries. Why was it so difficult for
the different communities to coexist? And why did it lead to such bitter violence and over 3000
deaths? And why, finally, did the communities decide they needed to work together for a peaceful
solution? Using interviews with participants and academics the film explores the recent history of
Northern Ireland and ends by asking if peace, finally, has arrived.
Film Timeline
00:00:00
00:06:03
00:11:04
00:19:24
00:24:06
00:29:15
00:30:04
A Divided Ireland
1968 and 1969: Boiling Point
Out of Control
Northern Ireland – towards reconciliation
Lasting Peace?
Credits
End program
2
© Classroom Video Ltd www.classroomvideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying
or printing MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
The Troubles in Northern Ireland
Other Useful Links and Resources
BBC Northern Ireland: The Siege of Derry 1689
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/siege/
Ireland in Schools: Getting Behind the Headlines
http://www.iisresource.org/Pages/Resources_SHP_NI.aspx
BBC: The Good Friday Agreement
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/agreement/
BBC: The Easter Rising
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/easterrising/prelude/index.shtml
The Guardian: A Brief History of the Troubles
http://www.guardian.co.uk/northernireland/page/0,12494,1569841,00.html
University of Ulster: Conflict and Politics in Northern Ireland
http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/
The Troubles in Northern Ireland
http://irishconflict.webs.com/
3
© Classroom Video Ltd www.classroomvideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying
or printing MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
The Troubles in Northern Ireland
Initiate Prior Learning
1. Collect a few recent news stories about Northern Ireland. What impression of the country do they
give?
2. As a class ‘brainstorm’ what you know about Northern Ireland. Sort the responses into categories.
3. From your brainstorm, prioritize which topics you want to know more about.
4. Make sure you understand what the terms ‘Nationalist’, ‘Republican’, ‘Catholic’, ‘Protestant’,
‘Unionist’, ‘Dissident’ and ‘Loyalist’ mean in the context of Northern Ireland.
5. What is a ‘paramilitary organization’?
6. Hold a class discussion with the title, ‘Violence is never justified as a way to right wrongs’.
4
© Classroom Video Ltd www.classroomvideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying
or printing MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
The Troubles in Northern Ireland
Student Worksheet
Active Viewing Guide
1. What part did Henry VIII play in the Troubles?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. What was the Plantation of Ulster? How did it create tension between the communities?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. What part did William of Orange play in the Troubles?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
4. Were the Troubles based on religion, or class?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
5. How and why did ‘two Irelands’ emerge in the 19th century?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
6. How significant was the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 that set up the Irish Free State?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
5
© Classroom Video Ltd www.classroomvideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying
or printing MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
The Troubles in Northern Ireland
7. Why didn’t the 1921 Treaty solve the problems?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
8. In what ways did Catholics feel they were discriminated against in the North? Was this true?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
9. How important in creating change was the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and 1970s?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
10. When did paramilitary organizations like the UDA, UFF and IRA emerge?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
11. How did the role of the British Army change between 1969, when it was first deployed to Ulster,
and 1971?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
12. What was the impact of Bloody Sunday on the population?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
6
© Classroom Video Ltd www.classroomvideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying
or printing MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
The Troubles in Northern Ireland
13. How important a figure do you think Bobby Sands is?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
14. How did the 1981 Anglo-Irish Agreement come about?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
15. How important do you think was the part played by Bill Clinton in the process?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
16. How significant were the 1994 IRA Ceasefire and the 1997 Disarmament in the process?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
7
© Classroom Video Ltd www.classroomvideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying
or printing MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
The Troubles in Northern Ireland
Extension Activities
1. Research the 1916 Easter Rising and its impact on Ireland
2. Find out more about the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 and why it failed to settle the problems of
Ireland
3. What part did the Civil Rights Movement play in the Troubles?
4. The film argues that internment in 1971 created more unrest, and more support for the IRA. Did
internment ever work?
5. Find out more about the bombings of Birmingham, Brighton, Manchester and Enniskillen.
6. Which do you think is more important in bringing peace to Northern Ireland: the 1981 Anglo-Irish
Agreement or the 1998 Good Friday Agreement?
7. What are the difficulties in using personal interviews and testimony when studying complex and
controversial events? How reliable do you think these memories are?
8. What are the difficulties in using an academic who has lived through the events they are studying?
9. Following the Saville Enquiry, Prime Minister David Cameron apologized for Bloody Sunday and
the cover up of the Widgery Report. Do you think we should ever apologize for events in history?
10. Who do you think is more significant in restoring peace to Northern Ireland: Ted Heath, Margaret
Thatcher, Tony Blair, Bill Clinton, Bertie Ahearne, Ian Paisley, Martin McGuinness or Gerry
Adams?
11. One of the participants in the film states ‘violence and conflict do not resolve differences’. Do you
think the recent history of Northern Ireland proves this statement to be true?
12. One of the participants says ‘we all have to compromise’. From what you have seen in the film do
you think both sides have compromised?
13. From the attitudes of those interviewed in the film, do you think there is lasting peace in Ireland?
14. Do you think there are any serious omissions from this film when exploring the Troubles? What
would you have included?
15. Again, hold a class discussion with the title, ‘Violence is never justified as a way to right wrongs’.
How have ideas and attitudes changed?
8
© Classroom Video Ltd www.classroomvideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying
or printing MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
The Troubles in Northern Ireland
Suggested Student Responses
Active Viewing Guide
1. What part did Henry VIII play in the Troubles?
The Reformation and the establishment of the Protestant Church of England introduced
religious divisions in the country.
2. What was the Plantation of Ulster? How did it create tension between the communities?
Protestant settlers from Scotland and England were given land, and existing Catholic Irish
landowners and rulers were removed.
3. What part did William of Orange play in the Troubles?
The Glorious Revolution of 1688 removed the [Catholic] James II and replaced him with the
[Protestant] William of Orange — hence the Orange Day Parades that still act as flashpoints
in Northern Ireland today.
4. Were the Troubles based on religion, or class?
Both!
5. How and why did ‘two Irelands’ emerge in the 19th century?
Various attempts by British Governments to introduce Home Rule for Ireland failed to get
through the British Parliament so increasingly opposition to Protestant rule became violent.
Industrialization seemed to lead to more discrimination against Catholics in the North.
Protestants were determined to hold on to their power and authority. Republicanism
became a strong ideology around the world, not just in Ireland.
6. How significant was the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 that set up the Irish Free State?
1921 led to partition — Ulster in the North and the Irish Free State. It caused divisions
within the Republican movement, as many wanted total independence for a united Ireland.
7. Why didn’t the 1921 Treaty solve the problems?
Britain wasn’t prepared to grant total independence to Ireland at this stage and the
boundaries between Ulster and the Irish Free State were disputed. Ulster was determined to
remain loyal to the Crown, whereas many Irish wanted their own state.
8. In what ways did Catholics feel they were discriminated against in the North? Was this true?
In the North, the best jobs and houses went to Protestants, constituencies were
manipulated so there was a Protestant majority, even the police were believed to — and
often did — favor Unionists. Although, as the film makes clear, working-class Protestants
didn’t do too well out of the system themselves.
9. How important in creating change was the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and 1970s?
For the first time Catholics had a voice, and violent reactions by the authorities created bad
publicity. By focusing on jobs, housing and schools, they echoed what was happening in
the USA Civil Rights Movement. They made the issue international, and thus it could not be
ignored.
10. When did paramilitary organizations like the UDA, UFF and IRA emerge?
To protect their own communities. It became a spiral of violence — the police oppressed
Catholics, Catholics established paramilitaries to protect their communities, then
Protestants set up paramilitaries to retaliate against Catholic violence, or vice versa.
9
© Classroom Video Ltd www.classroomvideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying
or printing MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
The Troubles in Northern Ireland
11. How did the role of the British Army change between 1969, when it was first deployed to Ulster,
and 1971?
Initially the army was sent to Northern Ireland to protect Catholics, and were widely
welcomed. But gradually they became perceived as instruments of oppression, and thus a
guerrilla war between the IRA and the army developed.
12. What was the impact of Bloody Sunday on the population?
Bloody Sunday confirmed the view of the Catholic population that the army was totally
biased against them, and resulted in a huge upsurge in IRA activity against the state and
against Protestants.
13. How important a figure do you think Bobby Sands is?
Elected as MP while in prison [hence unable to take his seat] and leader of the hunger
strikers, Bobby Sands had a huge impact at the time, and generated a lot of sympathy and
support across the world. He was, however, only one of the hunger strikers who died and
his significance at the time probably outweighs the way we think of him now.
14. How did the 1981 Anglo-Irish Agreement come about?
The film suggests this was due to pressure from the Irish Government, but we could also
add an effective terrorist campaign, bad publicity for the British around the world, and a
whole host of other factors. The key question really is why it came about in 1981.
15. How important do you think was the part played by Bill Clinton in the process?
Irish Americans gave the IRA and Sinn Fein a lot of support, and raised a lot of money to
fund the violence. They also exerted a lot of pressure on elected American politicians. Bill
Clinton was able to bang heads together and provide an impetus to peace negotiations.
Both sides agree he was very important.
16. How significant were the 1994 IRA ceasefire and the 1997 disarmament in the process?
The ceasefire, then disarmament, was always a pre-condition of the British Government to
meaningful negotiations and progress. ‘We never negotiate with terrorists’ and ‘if you are
serious about peace then you must disarm’ were often heard. The British Government
accepted the ceasefire and disarmament as signs of good faith from the IRA.
10
© Classroom Video Ltd www.classroomvideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying
or printing MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.