E - Klasse 9 - Arbeit Nr. 10 - GreenButterSolutions

The Troubles

In 1921 there had been a referendum*, in which the people of the Republic of Ireland decided that they wanted to be independent.

The people of Northern Ireland decided that they wanted to stay inside the United Kingdom. The British Government at that time

agreed that until Northern Ireland was ready to join the Republic it should remain part of the United Kingdom.

October 1968: The events in Northern Ireland which came to be known as the Troubles began. In Londonderry there was fighting

between demonstrators and the police at a Catholic civil rights march.

10 August 1969: Another Catholic civil rights march in Londonderry ended with fighting between Catholics and Protestants. Petrol

bombs were thrown, and there was terrible fighting. The police tried to control the situation but were powerless. The riots spread*

quickly across the province, and Catholics and Protestants were glad when English soldiers arrived.

Sixteen years later, in 1985, the soldiers were still there. The riots had stopped, but killings and bombing had not.

Again and again people were killed, Northern Irish people as well as soldiers. Politicians agreed that things could not go on in this way.

November 1985: An Anglo-Irish agreement* was signed. Politicians hoped it could be a first step4 towards solving the Irish problem.

This agreement gave something to both the Loyalists and the Republicans. Unfortunately, it was rejected by the Protestants.

December 1993: The British and Irish governments signed the Downing Street agreement, which said that the people of Northern Ireland

alone should decide over their own future.

August 1994: The IRA agreed to stop fighting and promised an end to all violent operations.

 
(ca. 265 words)

 

(source unknown)

*referendum Volksabstimmung
*(to) spread sich ausbreiten
*agreement Abkommen
*step Schritt

 
1.1. Why did the British Government agree to divide Ireland in 1921?

 

  
1.2. Where and when did the Troubles begin?

 

  
1.3. Why was the British army still in Northern Ireland in 1985?

 

  
1.4. What hopeful signs are there for the future of Northern Ireland?

 

Heard in class

2.1. If you (work) harder, John, you (can get) better marks in physics.

2.2. Your English tests (be) much better, if you (not be) so nervous, Mary.

2.3. If you (go) to the USA for a few weeks, Thomas, your English  (get) better.

2.4. You (can do) better in your tests if you (practise) more regularly, Andy.