Battle of Bogside
Battle of Bogside:
Overview: The Battle of the Bogside was a large riot that took place during 12–14 August 1969 in Derry, Northern Ireland. The fighting was between residents of the Bogside area (allied under the Derry Citizens Defence Association) and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). The rioting erupted as Irish nationalists threw stones and nails at the Apprentice Boys parade which was passing along the city walls, past an interface with the nationalist Bogside. Fierce rioting broke out between unionists and the police on one side and nationalists on the other. Rioting between police and Bogside residents continued for three days. The police were unable to enter the area and eventually the British Army was deployed to restore order. The riot, which sparked widespread violence elsewhere in Northern Ireland, is commonly seen as one of the first major confrontations in the conflict known as the Troubles. A least one thousand members of the Derry Citizens' Defence Association and residents of the Bogside were injured and at least 350 of the RUC were injured.
Background: Tensions had been building in Derry for over a year before the Battle of the Bogside. In part, this was due to long-standing grievances held by much of the city's population. The city had a majority Catholic and nationalist population. In 1961, for example, the population was 53,744, of which 36,049 was Catholic and 17,695 Protestant. However, because of gerrymandering after the partition of Ireland, it had been ruled by the Ulster Unionist Party since 1925.
The Battle:
Overview: The Battle of the Bogside was a large riot that took place during 12–14 August 1969 in Derry, Northern Ireland. The fighting was between residents of the Bogside area (allied under the Derry Citizens Defence Association) and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). The rioting erupted as Irish nationalists threw stones and nails at the Apprentice Boys parade which was passing along the city walls, past an interface with the nationalist Bogside. Fierce rioting broke out between unionists and the police on one side and nationalists on the other. Rioting between police and Bogside residents continued for three days. The police were unable to enter the area and eventually the British Army was deployed to restore order. The riot, which sparked widespread violence elsewhere in Northern Ireland, is commonly seen as one of the first major confrontations in the conflict known as the Troubles. A least one thousand members of the Derry Citizens' Defence Association and residents of the Bogside were injured and at least 350 of the RUC were injured.
Background: Tensions had been building in Derry for over a year before the Battle of the Bogside. In part, this was due to long-standing grievances held by much of the city's population. The city had a majority Catholic and nationalist population. In 1961, for example, the population was 53,744, of which 36,049 was Catholic and 17,695 Protestant. However, because of gerrymandering after the partition of Ireland, it had been ruled by the Ulster Unionist Party since 1925.
The Battle: