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Power-sharing
In 1974 the British tried to set up a new system of government in which power would be shared between Protestants and Catholics (Sunningdale Agreement). This system failed because the Protestants opposed it.
Changes in the police and security forces
When British troops were first sent to Ulster in 1969 they were given complete control of all peace-keeping operations and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. In 1977 they handed back control to the RUC.
The Nationalist reaction since 1972
The Parliamentary Nationalists
The SDLP, led by John Hume, are the modern Parliamentary Nationalists. Like O'Connell in the 19th century, they want to solve Ireland's problems by peaceful negotiation.
The Revolutionary Nationalists - The IRA
The IRA is the main modern example of Revolutionary Nationalism. Since the early 1970s it has planted bombs in Northern Ireland and in mainland Britain which have killed and injured ordinary civilians, including children. At times the IRA has changed tactics and has put more emphasis on attacking the police, the army and leading British figures. Lord Mountbatten, the Queen's uncle, was murdered in 1979. In 1984 a bomb planted in a Brighton hotel nearly killed the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, and other government members.
Sinn Féin
In the 1980s some of the younger IRA men, led by Gerry Adams, brought forward a new idea. Using the old name Sinn Féin, they decided to built up a new political party for Revolutionary Nationalists in Ireland.
In the election of 1983 Adams was elected as British MP for West Belfast.
The Sinn Féin attempt to become the voice of the Nationalist community ultimately failed. Adams himself lost his seat as MP to an SDLP politician in 1992.
With widespread criticism of IRA activities, Gerry Adams began to explore a new policy. He decided to encourage IRA/Sinn Féin to end the armed struggle and use peaceful methods. In 1988 Adams began talks with John Hume, the SDLP leader. Adams persuaded the IRA to declare a cease-fire in 1994 and again in 1997. Ten years after the start of the Hume-Adams talks both men supported the 1998 Good Friday Agreement which set up a power-sharing assembly in Northern Ireland.
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