Northern Ireland Protestants Vs. Catholics

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Northern IrelandProtestants Vs. Catholics

• Conflict in
• Multi-Ethnic Societies

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Background

• During the 1100s, Ireland was a united country
• Subsequently it was conquered by England in the
  1200s
• The Irish Catholics who stayed behind were given
  the less fertile land
• English landlords brought in Protestant Scottish
  and English settlers into the northern parts of
  Ireland and pushed out the local Catholic farmers

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Background

• Northern Ireland became predominantly Protestant
• King James II (Catholic) came to the throne and
  tried to defeat the Protestants
• He failed and was defeated by King William of
  Orange in the Battle of Boyne in 1690

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Background

• Penal Laws were implemented against the Catholics
  by the Protestants to ensure that they had
  complete control of Ireland
• No Catholic can buy land
• No Catholic shall be allowed to vote
• No Catholic can join the army
• No Catholic may receive higher education

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Background

• In 1800, Ireland became part of the United
  Kingdom (England)
• In the late 1800s, local Irish Catholics sought
  limited self-government known as Home Rule
• Hostilities continued and were so bad that
  Britain lost control of the southern part of
  Ireland

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Background

• In 1921, Ireland was divided into 2 separate
  parts, based on majority religion
• Northern Ireland (which was predominantly
  Protestant)
• Southern Ireland (Irish Free State)
• Had their own parliament but consulted the
  English monarchy regarding foreign affairs

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Background

• The Catholics in the North were treated very
  unfairly by the government
• In 1949, the Irish Free State cut ties with
  Britain and became the Republic of Ireland

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Background

• Before 1972
• Northern Ireland had its own parliament in
  Stormont
• Since 1972
• Northern Ireland has been ruled directly by the
  British parliament in London
• Northern Ireland is in charge of commerce, health
  and education
• Ministers are predominantly protestant

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Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

• Catholics and Protestants see themselves as 2
  different groups
• Lack of common identity prevents understanding
  and co-operation between the 2 groups. (This
  shows that Lack of Common Identity is the
  UNDERLYING CAUSE)
• Religious differences cause tension BUT ARE NOT a
  cause of conflict

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Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

• Divided Loyalties
• Unequal Allocation of Housing
• Unequal Employment Opportunities
• Lack of Voting Rights
• Lack of Opportunities for Social Interaction

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Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

• Divided Loyalties
• Most Protestants see themselves as British and do
  not want a union with the Republic of Ireland as
  they fear a Catholic government would not
  tolerate them and their beliefs

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Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

• Divided Loyalties
• Catholics see themselves as Irish and want to be
  reunited with the Republic of Ireland
• Catholics are also resentful of the history of
  English conquest where Catholics were killed or
  ill-treated

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Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

• Divided Loyalties
• Loyalty to different countries makes the
  Catholics and Protestants intolerant of each other

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Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

• Unequal Allocation of Housing
• Provision of housing by city councils
• Public houses are partly subsidized
• Housing councils are predominantly Protestant
• Large Catholic families have to wait for a long
  time to get houses
• Catholics are frustrated by the long wait

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Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

• Unequal Employment Opportunities
• Competition for jobs
• Difficult for Catholics to get jobs in the civil
  service
• Unequal employment opportunities for the
  Catholics despite having similar academic
  qualifications
• The Catholics felt resentful and frustrated
  because they had no chance of having a bright
  future and supporting their families

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Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

• Lack of Voting Rights
• Before 1969, voting rights were a problem
  because
• Only those who owned houses and businesses were
  entitled to vote in the elections
• Each household was given 2 votes while business
  owners were given more votes based on the number
  of staff they had

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Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

• Lack of Voting Rights
• Before 1969, voting rights were a problem
  because
• As the Protestants were richer and had bigger
  businesses, the Catholics lost out
• Voting districts were also drawn up to include
  more Protestants

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Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

• Lack of Voting Rights
• Since 1969, the system is fairer
• Everyone has a vote
• if he or she is a British citizen
• Was born in Northern Ireland
• Lived in the UK for 7 years
• Voting districts were re-drawn to ensure fairness

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Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

• Lack of Opportunities for Social Interaction
• Fully funded public schools for Protestants only
  and partially-funded private schools for
  Catholics only
• Integrated schools set up by private individuals
  only attract about 5 of the total school-going
  population of Northern Ireland

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Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

• Lack of Opportunities for Social Interaction
• Protestant children are taught British history
  and play British sports like rugby, hockey and
  cricket
• They are loyal to the British and sing the
  British national anthem
• Nothing about the Catholics or the history of
  Northern Ireland is taught from a neutral
  perspective

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Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

• Lack of Opportunities for Social Interaction
• Catholic children are taught Irish history and
  play Irish sports like hurling and are taught the
  Irish language and culture
• They are loyal to the Republic of Ireland and see
  Britain as a foreign country
• Nothing about the Protestants or the history of
  Northern Ireland is taught from a neutral
  perspective

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Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

• Lack of Opportunities for Social Interaction
• Catholics and Protestants live in separate
  residential areas
• Opportunities for social interaction are reduced

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Homework

• The Irish conflict is mainly caused by a lack of
  social interaction. How far do you agree with
  this statement? Explain your answer. 12m
• Remember to give social interaction as the GF and
  2OFs
• Weigh your lack of social interaction factor
  against the MAIN CAUSE of the conflict
• Is it more important? Less important?