The Silence of the World
During the time of The Troubles, the world was in a state of turmoil. Brutal fighting, uprisings for independence and the Communist craze left most regions of the world in disarray and a silence to the crisis in Ireland.
Apologies from Both Sides
The first apology came in January of 1998 from British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who apologized for the Bloody Sunday Massacre of 1972 in Northern Ireland. In August of that same year, the Irish Republican Army apologized for the violence that they instigated as they fought for to unite the Republic of Ireland. Both sides recognized that what had happened in regards to violation of human rights was never acceptable and their hopes that atrocities such as the ones that happened during the conflict would never happen again.
The United States
During the time of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, the United States was also in a state of emergency. The Cold War between the Soviet Union and the US had been going on for about 20 years. The two countries were rushed to out do one another by building up large amounts of nuclear weapons. Both countries had their focus placed on the Cold War and preventing a nuclear attack from the other nation. But, during the 1990's, President Bill Clinton took an active role in moving Ireland and Great Britain towards a peace agreement. Clinton sent senator George Mitchell to sit in on peace talks between the two countries. Senator Mitchell helped work with the two countries to write up a treaty that would appease both sides and keep a lasting peace.
The Soviet Union
During The Troubles, Communism was alive and well in the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was also in the Cold War with the United States. The Soviets hurriedly built up their nuclear weapons in an attempt to out do the Americans. If that wasn't enough, parts of the Soviet Union were protesting and fighting for their independence. Countries like Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, and the Ukraine all gained their independence from the Soviet Union during the time of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
Asia
Independence and wars were being fought all over Asia. The Cambodian genocide which killed thousands was in full swing during the time of the Troubles as the Cambodian-Vietnamese war raged on. Also, North Korea was becoming a totalitarian government under Kim Il-sung and an "Orwellian" country was created. In China, the Tiananmen Square riots broke out where students and intellectuals protested for an end to the political leadership.
Independence and wars were being fought all over Asia. The Cambodian genocide which killed thousands was in full swing during the time of the Troubles as the Cambodian-Vietnamese war raged on. Also, North Korea was becoming a totalitarian government under Kim Il-sung and an "Orwellian" country was created. In China, the Tiananmen Square riots broke out where students and intellectuals protested for an end to the political leadership.
Europe
The countries of Eastern Europe were also in a state of terror with the genocide in Bosnia in full force in the 1990's. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed during this time by the Yugoslav army. Communism also plagued Eastern Europe in places like East Germany and Czechoslovakia. The future seemed to be a little bit brighter in Europe as the Berlin Wall was torn down in 1989. |
South America
Many countries in South America were fighting bloody battles. The Nicaraguan Civil War, Honduran Civil War and the El Salvador Civil War both took place during the time of The Troubles. Besides civil wars, Central and South America we also trying to develop their industry and move towards countries with less poverty. |
Africa Due to the end of imperialism in Africa, different countries here began fighting for independence from the countries that still tried to govern them. Bloody wars were taking place on this continent during this time and many lives were lost creating a bigger focus for the Africa than the Northern Ireland crisis. Many different human rights violations were in progress during this time including the genocide of the Tutsi people by the Hutu. Countries like Mozambique, Angola and Zimbabwe all gained their independence during the 1970's-80's. The fight for the end of Apartheid, a racial segregation system, led by Nelson Mandela was in progress in South Africa. |
Extra Resources:
An Entire Timeline of the Globe (See 1968-1998)
An Entire Timeline of the Globe (See 1968-1998)