The Troubles (1969)
FIRST COMMITTEE: THE ULSTER LOYALISTS
Committee Crisis Director: Madeline Waterfield |
SECOND COMMITTEE: THE IRISH REPUBLICANS
Committee Crisis Director: Liwei Zhao |
In the verdant lands of Northern Ireland, tensions between two groups who foil each another have been brewing for the past decades. On one side, we have the Ulster Loyalists: Protestants who support the United Kingdom’s control of Northern Ireland and the implementation of a Unionist government. On another side, we have the Irish Republicans: Catholics who support a nationalist Ireland free from their colonizer’s reign. Throughout the 1960’s, many Irish Republicans participated in a non-violent civil rights campaign that called to end discrimination against the Catholic minority. Loyalists grew increasingly frustrated with their efforts, believing that the agenda of this campaign was to nefariously unite Ireland. Divisions deepened throughout the decade.
All of this is coming to a head at the start of this crisis: August 12th, 1969. Following a series of violent attack and protests from both sides, Derry, Ireland is facing the onset of a virulent riot. The annual Apprentice Boys parade has just concluded, and all of Derry had just laid witness to the hurling of stones and nails between the Catholics and the loyalists. Now, both sides are eager to continue their conflict and affirm their stance once and for all. It’s up to the Ulster loyalists, the British government, and the Irish Republicans to devise and conduct a plan for how to proceed. How will they proceed with the Battle of Bogside? How will they recruit civilians to their cause? How will they determine the future of Northern Ireland as it stands?
All of this is coming to a head at the start of this crisis: August 12th, 1969. Following a series of violent attack and protests from both sides, Derry, Ireland is facing the onset of a virulent riot. The annual Apprentice Boys parade has just concluded, and all of Derry had just laid witness to the hurling of stones and nails between the Catholics and the loyalists. Now, both sides are eager to continue their conflict and affirm their stance once and for all. It’s up to the Ulster loyalists, the British government, and the Irish Republicans to devise and conduct a plan for how to proceed. How will they proceed with the Battle of Bogside? How will they recruit civilians to their cause? How will they determine the future of Northern Ireland as it stands?