I've been reading up on this. Apparently the British army were welcomed by the Nationalists during their civil rights marches which were attacked by the police and Unionists in 1969/70. But once the army started targetting Nationalist areas for raids and curfews that were not applied to Unionists, the mood changed. Internment of only Nationalists was a real shot in the foot by the ruling establishment, as was Bloody Sunday. The setting up of the UDR (82% of the members were Protestants) and the way they abused and assaulted Nationalists was absolutely fuel for the fire, ensuring that many young Catholics lined up to join the Provisional IRA.
I have to wonder how the British got it so wrong. They seem to have really made a mess of the whole region.
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I am not racist, I dislike everyone equally.
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