Answering Key Questions

1. Why were the activities of the Apprentice Boys a source of tension in Derry?

• The Apprentice Boys' parades commemorated the Siege of Derry, a Protestant victory over Catholic forces, which many Catholics saw as a celebration of their historical defeat.
• The parades often passed through or near Catholic areas, leading to feelings of intimidation and provocation among the Catholic community.
• The symbolism of the parades, with Union flags and Protestant imagery, reinforced Protestant dominance and made Catholics feel excluded and marginalised.
• The parades were seen by many Catholics as a reminder of ongoing discrimination and inequality in areas like housing, jobs, and political representation.
• Catholics in Derry viewed the Apprentice Boys as upholding Protestant supremacy, especially in a city where they were the majority population yet felt politically and socially sidelined.
• The parades were organised and supported by the unionist community, which was often in direct opposition to the goals of the Catholic civil rights movement.
• The refusal of the Apprentice Boys to alter their parade routes to avoid Catholic areas was seen as a refusal to acknowledge Catholic grievances.
• Tensions were heightened during the 1960s, a time when the civil rights movement was gaining momentum, making the parades a flashpoint for wider conflicts.

2. How did sectarian tensions impact the Apprentice Boys of Derry parades?

• Sectarian tensions made the parades increasingly contentious, with both communities viewing them through the lens of their historical and political grievances.
• Catholics in Derry saw the parades as a provocative display of Protestant power, leading to increased hostility and resistance from the Catholic population.
• The parades became a battleground for broader issues, such as civil rights and the struggle for equality, making them more than just traditional celebrations.
• As tensions rose, the parades were often accompanied by heavy policing, which further antagonised the Catholic community, who viewed the police as biased.
• The presence of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) at the parades, perceived by Catholics as a Protestant force, added to the sense of intimidation and conflict.
• Sectarian divisions meant that any attempt to alter or cancel the parades was met with strong resistance from the Protestant community, who saw them as a crucial part of their cultural identity.
• The parades sometimes led to violent clashes between Catholics and Protestants, increasing the sense of mistrust and fear on both sides.
• The parades became a symbol of the deep divisions in Derry, with each year bringing renewed tensions and the potential for violence.

3. What events led to violence following the Apprentice Boys parade on 12 August 1969?

• In the weeks leading up to the parade, tensions in Derry were already high due to civil rights protests and clashes between Catholics and the RUC.
• The Bogside area, a predominantly Catholic district, was heavily barricaded by residents in anticipation of trouble during the parade.
• On 12 August, as the Apprentice Boys' parade passed near the Bogside, local Catholics began to protest, seeing the parade as a direct provocation.
• Clashes erupted between Catholic residents and the RUC, who were attempting to maintain order but were viewed as siding with the Protestant marchers.
• The RUC's use of excessive force to disperse Catholic protesters was seen as excessive, leading to widespread anger and further violence.
• Rumours spread that loyalist mobs were planning to invade the Bogside, prompting the residents to intensify their defensive efforts.
• The escalating violence in the Bogside quickly drew in more people from both communities, turning the area into a battleground.
• The situation deteriorated rapidly, with petrol bombs, stones, and other missiles being used against the RUC, leading to what became known as the Battle of the Bogside.
• The deployment of the British Army on 14 August to restore order marked a significant escalation, showing that local security forces could no longer control the situation.
• The violence following the parade highlighted the deep-seated sectarian divisions in Northern Ireland, setting the stage for the widespread conflict that would become known as the Troubles.