WASHMUN III - MARCH 3RD
CRISIS – BRITISH CROWN
CHAIRS: NINA TROY &
KAREN VALLEJOS
Karen and Nina
Introductory Paragraph:
The Troubles are is a name given to the period of conflict in Northern Ireland starting in
the late 1960s and usually taken to have ended with the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. As
delegates of the British Cabinets, you must look to find good, comprehensive solutions to The
Troubles. You must show your support towards the Loyalists who are the supporters of the
continuing status of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom, without actually promoting
violence. Republicans, also known as Nationalists, who are the supporters of Northern Ireland
joining the Republic of Ireland to form a united Ireland, must be stopped in order for The Crown
to keep our land.
Our historical crisis starts June 1, 1966, one week after the Loyalists of the Ulster
Defense Force UVF war on the Irish Republican Army (IRA). No troop movements have
occurred on either side, although we should be worried about retaliation by the IRA and should
support aggressive forward movements on the part of the Loyalists. We encourage creativity in
finding various solutions for the conflict at hand. We also would like to remind delegates that,
though this is a historical committee, after the assigned date of June 1, 1966 we do not have to
follow historical accuracy. In fact, we encourage the delegates to be creative problem solvers,
find original solutions to the crisis and overall have fun!
Background:
The Troubles did not start on any specific date, but are a result of constantly escalating
incidents between Catholics and Protestants. Since the 12th century, Ireland was ruled by Great
Britain. However, by the early 20th century, many Catholic Irish Nationalists believed Ireland
should have its own government, independent of the British Crown. Unlike the Catholics, the
many Irish Protestants considered themselves loyalists and wanted to remain under British rule.
In 1921, after an uprising against British rule, Ireland was divided into two. Ulster, in the north,
remained part of Britain.
The rest of Ireland achieved self-government within the British Empire, as the Irish Free
State. It became an independent republic outside the empire in 1949.
Catholics in Northern Ireland experienced a rise in economic fortunes which generated a
rise in Catholic awareness of their political politically inferior status, and moved them to
organize. Historically, the Catholic minority in Northern Ireland had little to no political voice
and were discriminated against by the Protestant majority as well as ignored by Britain. The shift
in economic fortunes between the 1950s and 1960s and from the Irish Catholics and the civil
rights movements in Northern Ireland from the mid to late 1960s, led to the start of the conflict
in Northern Ireland. By the late 1960s a civil rights movement emerged in favor of social rights
for the present Irish Catholic minority. This uprising led to violence between the Irish
Republican Army (IRA), who considered themselves the military wing of the Catholic
Republican movement and the Ulster Defence Force (UDF) who were a loyalist paramilitary
group.
Current Situation
Terence O'Neill, the fourth Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the Ulster
Unionist Party in efforts to recover the economy, immediately introduced the program of
modernization which addressed an economic transformation. The program also focused in the
areas of health, education, and welfare. To succeed, he met with Republic of Ireland's Prime
Minister Sean Lemass. The meeting was the first such meeting between Irish heads of
government for 40 years and caused a stir in the nationalist community in the north.
With Catholic hopes raised on one side and unionist fears on the other, the situation
turned violent. In 1966, chaos and rioting broke out, and the outburst was followed in May and
June by the murders of two Catholics and a Protestant by a loyalist terror group called the Ulster
Volunteer Force (UVF). The UVF is one of two main Loyalist organizations: the Ulster
Volunteer Force (UVF), founded in 1966, and the larger Ulster Defense Association (UDA),
which is a network of vigilante groups. The UDA and UVF members also both use the name
Ulster Freedom Fighters. The UVF and the UDA cooperated closely through the Combined
Loyalist Military. O'Neill banned the UVF in an effort to make amends but it was too late.
It is now June 1, 1966, a week after the loyalists of the UVF declared war on the IRA.
No troop movements have occurred on either side though there have been rumors of retaliation
on the part of the IRA.
As members of this cabinet and subjects of the British Crown, it is your job to look for
peaceful resolutions to the situation, yet we must also discuss strategies in case of more future
violent occurrences. You have decisions to make and must remain cognizant of your own
military capabilities as you introduce your new ideas and proposals throughout the day.
The British Crown would encourage plans that consist of peaceful negotiations with the
IRA. The delegates should look for a way to end all violent activities. Address whether to grant
political groups equal power in Northern Ireland. The Crown encourages the delegates to
consider the Protestant war prisoners that have been taken hostages and how to get them back.
Delegates should also find solutions regarding the armed paramilitary groups that currently are
roaming Norther Ireland.
Questions to Consider:
1. How should the Crown address the proposed Irish reforms while keeping the current
governmental structure intact?
2. Should the Crown aid the Loyalists or remain neutral?
3. Should we grant Ireland autonomy from our Kingdom? If so, under what conditions?
4. If conflict was to continue, to what extent should our military be involved?
5. What are some social changes that could be made to decrease sectarianism?
Maps:
Ireland:
England:
Resources:
Good Background and Historical Context:
● http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/recent/troubles/the_troubles_article_01.shtml
Macardle, Dorothy. 1968. The Irish republic. London: Corgi Books.
● Rowthorn, Bob, and Naomi Wayne. 1988. Northern Ireland: the political economy of
conflict. London: Polity Press.
Time lines:
● http://www.historyonthenet.com/Chronology/timelinenorthernireland.htm
● http://www.guardian.co.uk/northernireland/page/0,12494,1569841,00.html
Key People and Parties:
● http://www.insightonconflict.org/conflicts/northern-ireland/conflict-profile/key-peopleand-parties/