Many do not realize how deep the conflict in Northern Ireland runs. When mentioned here in the United States, even well informed adults simplify it by calling it “some fight about religion”. The truth, however, is that the conflict dates back to the 15th century. The fight concerns principles of pride, patriotism, independence, and beliefs. Children in Northern Ireland must forge their lives fighting against hundreds of years of hatred that has been ingrained in them since they were old enough to conceive the notion. Therefore, in order to understand the perspectives of Northern Ireland youth one must have an idea of  their history. Since the historical aspects of this conflict are so complex, I've tried to keep this page concise, and highlight the more important events that shaped the problems today's youth have to deal with.
         The 15th century marked the beginning of the Northern Ireland conflict, when the British began the hierarchy over Ireland. In 1609, land was first confiscated from the Irish Catholics and the development of socio-economic inequality between the two nationalities began. One of the most important events of this period occurred in 1690 at the Battle of the Boyne. Here, Protestant ruler William of Orange defeated the Catholic King James II and Ireland was brought under British rule. Even today the 12th of July is celebrated with marches and parades by the Protestants commemorating the epic victory.
         Animosity grew throughout these years as cultures clashed and the gap between the working class Catholics and the higher class Protestants expanded. Catholics who were discriminated against became bitter and defiant. They were not allowed to attend Catholic schools or study the Catholic traditions. Many experienced job discrimination, thus not allowing them to advance their economic standings.
         With the Act of Union in 1800, Ireland and Britain were unified under one Parliament and one constitution, thus giving the Protestants full rule over the area. When the Potato Famine hit in the 1840s, 1 million Catholics starved to death while another million immigrated, while the majority of the higher class Protestants were less affected. The discrimination throughout these years could be compared to that of the African Americans in the US; Catholics were mocked, thought of as animals, and were referred to as having “smaller skulls”. As a result of these factors, the political party that would one day give birth to the IRA, Sinn Fein, was established in 1905. This movement gave birth in 1916 to the Ulster Volunteer Force, formed by Unionists in Ulster. Another significant event occurred in this year, when two Republicans, James Connally and Pagraig Pearse, unsuccessfully stormed the Dublin Post Office. This event, referred to as the Easter Rising, would become a favorite play for children to perform in the 1970s.
         In 1919, the IRA started the Irish War of Independence, which lasted until December 23rd 1921, when the Anglo-Irish treaty was signed. This treaty separated Northern Ireland from the Irish Free State, known since 1948 as the Republic of Ireland. These conflicts would be what ultimately set the stage for the present-day “Troubles”.
         If a date could be pinpointed as to when “The Troubles” began, it would be 1969, in Derry, Northern Ireland. At this time, the Apprentice Boys of Derry, a Protestant group, wished to march through Catholic neighborhoods on the 12th of July. When the government allowed this, angry Catholics ensued riots in the streets, feeling it was wrong for the Protestants to flaunt their feelings of superiority. These riots were looked upon by the government as an IRA conspiracy, and “The Troubles” escalated from there. Between the years of 1969-1973, over 30,000 people were forced to leave their homes in the greater Belfast area as a result of the violence. In February 1971, the first soldier was killed, and the government was convinced that the IRA had declared war.