Northern Ireland Under Direct British Rule (1972–1990) (Political Conflict and Sectarian Violence)

Abstract

This research analyzes the period of direct British rule in Northern Ireland (1972–1989), a critical turning point in the Anglo-Irish conflict. It begins with the historical and constitutional background leading to the suspension of Stormont in 1972, then examines three main dimensions: the constitutional framework of direct rule, the political and military activities of the Irish Republican Army, and the British security and military responses. The study concludes that direct rule neither ended the armed conflict nor secured political stability, but it reshaped the political and security landscape and indirectly paved the way for peace negotiations in the 1990s.