The Troubles in Northern Ireland

Gr 8 Up—This documentary attempts to distill the many sociocultural, religious, and political facets of the historic dynamic between the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Its narrative dates the conflict's origins to the 17th century, when large populations of Protestant settlers from England and Scotland displaced many Irish Catholics in the region. Beyond the settlement of Ulster, key movements in this complex relationship are also contextualized and explored from the myriad perspectives involved. Alongside geopolitical infographics and archival imagery, Irish Members of Parliament, Nationalists, Unionists, and scholars of Irish history explicate the most salient events in this tumultuous history: the Easter Uprising, the Anglo-Irish Treaty, and the ascension of the IRA. The program traces the region's history from its struggle for legislative power (1790s) to its complete political independence (1920s), infighting, and peace efforts. The resource packet includes curricular applications for classroom integration. A solid addition to secondary media centers or middle and high school programs focusing on British imperial, colonial, and/or diplomatic history.—Vincent M. Livoti, University of Maine, Augusta