Terrorists or Freedom Fighters?
Terrorists or Freedom Fighters?
The word terrorism carries a very negative connotation in the western world. The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Unabomber, and countless atrocities the modern news is plagued with frequently skews what terrorism is and what terrorists are. During the American Revolution, the colonist rebels used terrorist tactics to win the war and secure their freedom. They were considered freedom fighters, not terrorists. However, when opinions are taken out, they are the same thing in many ways. In the case of Ireland, terrorism was a necessity just like it was during the American Revolution. The people of Ireland were oppressed by their conquerors for too long and with no other options available, violence was the only answer. In order to fully understand how terrorism and violence became acceptable to the Irish, one must look at the history, economy, and society of Ireland after the English conquest of Ireland. Ireland at its core is a completely different nation than England. The people and their history are completely different. By 450 AD, Ireland was almost entirely Celticized, with a common language and culture. (Coohill 9 2000) Ireland had a well-organized pagan society with a written law (Brehon Law), clans, and druids. (Lecture/Prof. Nicholson/9.20.09) England on the other hand was an Anglo-Saxon nation with a different language and society. The Irish Church and Roman Catholic Church had no contact between 680 AD and 1080 AD. The Irish did not fight in the Crusades. It was not until 1150 that the Irish had an ambassador. By the 12th century, the Roman Catholic Church controlled the British Church. The Roman Catholic Church wanted to convert the Irish Catholics into Roman Catholics. In 1155, Pope Adrian IV gave permission to the Normans to invade Ireland for religious reforms. As civil and internal disputes were occurring in Ireland, the Normans successfully took much of Ireland. The Irish King and Church
The word terrorism carries a very negative connotation in the western world. The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Unabomber, and countless atrocities the modern news is plagued with frequently skews what terrorism is and what terrorists are. During the American Revolution, the colonist rebels used terrorist tactics to win the war and secure their freedom. They were considered freedom fighters, not terrorists. However, when opinions are taken out, they are the same thing in many ways. In the case of Ireland, terrorism was a necessity just like it was during the American Revolution. The people of Ireland were oppressed by their conquerors for too long and with no other options available, violence was the only answer. In order to fully understand how terrorism and violence became acceptable to the Irish, one must look at the history, economy, and society of Ireland after the English conquest of Ireland. Ireland at its core is a completely different nation than England. The people and their history are completely different. By 450 AD, Ireland was almost entirely Celticized, with a common language and culture. (Coohill 9 2000) Ireland had a well-organized pagan society with a written law (Brehon Law), clans, and druids. (Lecture/Prof. Nicholson/9.20.09) England on the other hand was an Anglo-Saxon nation with a different language and society. The Irish Church and Roman Catholic Church had no contact between 680 AD and 1080 AD. The Irish did not fight in the Crusades. It was not until 1150 that the Irish had an ambassador. By the 12th century, the Roman Catholic Church controlled the British Church. The Roman Catholic Church wanted to convert the Irish Catholics into Roman Catholics. In 1155, Pope Adrian IV gave permission to the Normans to invade Ireland for religious reforms. As civil and internal disputes were occurring in Ireland, the Normans successfully took much of Ireland. The Irish King and Church
Bibliography: Bell, J. Bowyer. 1997. The Secret Army: The IRA. New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. Coohill, Robert Derkins, Susie. 2003. The Irish Republican Army. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. Figgis, Darrell Gavin, Phillip. 2000. The Irish Potato Famine. http://www.thehistoryplace.com (Accessed 12/01/09) Knox, Robert. 1862. The Races of Men: A Philosophical Inquiry into the Influence of Race over the Destinies of Nations. London: Henry Renshaw. Martin, F.X Mulholland, Marc. 2002. Northern Ireland: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press.