The Problem of 'Ultra' Violence: The Mobilisation of 'Pro State' Ideologies in Opposition to Civil Rights

Although there is a growing understanding that in order to truly understand the civil rights movements in the United States and Northern Ireland it is necessary to understand the local opposition to these movements, there remains a paucity of literature exploring the white southerners and loyalists who used violence and civil disorder as part of their resistance. (see: Brown 2006; Bruce 1992; Bruce 2007; Chalmers 2003; O'Callaghan and O'Donell 2006) This paper looks closely at those who found themselves on 'the wrong side of history'. It focuses specifically on the way in which those who mobilised in opposition to civil rights developed and acted out coherent ideologies permissive of targeted violence against civil rights 'agitators' and members of the wider minority groups who benefitted from reforms, also addressing the challenges faced by central governments in responding to pro-state 'ultra' violence