IRA Rules

Archive for December, 2008

Question: Ireland 1886 – 1998 essay question?

I’m doing an essay for A level History coursework on Ireland.

The essay question is:

“In What Ways And How Effectively Did The Protestant Communities In Ireland Respond To The Nationalist Challenges Which They Faced 1886 – 1998″

I just want to know in layman’s terms the differences between the Protestants, the Nationalists, and the positions that they held. Also, I’m slightly confused as to how I can group people like the Liberals, Conservatives, the Unionists and the IRA etc into two separate entities – those that wanted Home Rule, and those who didn’t. Any information about how I can actually start the essay would be a huge help too, I’m having a bit of trouble with how to phrase it.

Thanks VERY much in advance!

Answer: That is a very complicated question. You really need to do some research of your own if you expect to get any grade above F. Don’t rely on anything anyone will tell you on here. You forgot the religion angle played a huge part in the troubles–at least early on. You may have to go beyond 1886 to get a better understanding og the entire picture: Land taken away from the Catholic Irish and given to Proestant Scotish with their religion and language taken away, as well. The story of the Irish is not all that much unlike the treatment of the American Indian by the US. A lot was going on and none of it was good for the people of what would become the Republic.

Question: Why do people think the IRA and Al Qaeda are working together?

Why do some people try and compare the IRA with Al Qaeda. It is absolutley ridiculous. Yes the IRA have some of the same tactics, but you will never see an IRA man blow himself to kill thousands. The IRA want free rule from Britain. Al-Qaeda want to kill the infidels…you can’t negotiate with that.
IRA Were mostly Catholics, but i don’t believe their fight was for their religion. I believe the fight was for the right to govern their own sovereign land. even Tony Blair said there is NO comparison to Al Qaeda. As mentioned by another answer, they now have a seat in parliament.

Answer: The IRA people certainly aren’t as dumb, like you said.

And they had only a single target, not the whole world. They used the wrong tactics, but no, you can’t compare the two.