For centuries, on a large island in north-western Europe, two groups have regarded each other with an almost unparalleled level of mistrust. Religion, politics, territorial aims and family vendettas have pitted Protestants and Catholics against each other and created a lengthy conflict in Northern Ireland with victims on both sides. The conflict reached a turning point in an event called Bloody Sunday that took place 35 years ago this month, on 30 January 1972.

Angst und Gewalt gehörten in Nordirland jahrzehntelang zum Alltag. Wie konnte es überhaupt soweit kommen? MIKE PILEWSKI versucht, die Entwicklung nachzuvollziehen. medium Click on the MP3 icon on the left to download or hear this article. How can I listen to MP3 files? Our "MP3 Guide" overview is designed to help you: The MP3 Guide

The modern phase of Northern Ireland's history began in 1921, when 26 of Ireland's 32 counties won independence from Britain. In a compromise, the other six counties, in the northern province of Ulster, remained part of Britain. Ulster was very industrial, and the Catholic minority who lived there continued to work in its factories and shipyards. However, key positions in the workplace as well as majorities in government went to Protestants. Even in Londonderry (also called Derry), which had a majority Catholic population, the local government since 1921 had always been Protestant-dominated.

In Northern Ireland, only those who paid local taxes — called "rates" — could vote. "Because Catholics tended to be poorer than the Protestant community, to be less likely to have a job, they were less likely to be ratepayers. As a result, fewer Catholics could vote in local elections," Northern Ireland historian Paul Arthur told the BBC.

Seeing themselves as an oppressed minority, many Northern Irish Catholics felt inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr., and the American civil-rights movement of the 1950s and 60s. By 1968, these Catholics were organizing protests of their own. Their aim was not to unite Ireland; it was to be given the same rights as other citizens of Britain. The most important of these was the right to vote. To this demand, they added others, such as the right to employment, to good housing and to fairness under the law.

At weekends, as many as 15,000 protesters gathered in the streets of Belfast and Derry. In the course of time, they believed, the world would notice, and public opinion would be on their side. Student protesters followed the prime minister around and made sure that they got the attention of the television cameras. The Labour government in London began to put pressure on the Northern Ireland government to make concessions.

For many people, however, change wasn't happening fast enough. Protestant radicals spoke of being "sold out" by Britain. Catholic radicals lost faith in the non-violent protests.

In the Bogside area of Catholic Derry, a Protestant parade in August 1969 tested how far both sides were willing to go. A Catholic protest turned into a three-day riot. The Northern Irish police were unable to get past barricades that the protesters had set up. The British Army arrived and began using tear gas against the Catholics.

The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association called for demonstrations across the province in support of the Catholics of Derry. In Belfast, a demonstration that had started out peacefully led to the deaths of seven people and the wounding of hundreds more. A violent period known as "the Troubles" had begun.

Page 1: Two positions
Page 2: Guerrilla warfare