Northern Ireland Protestants Vs. Catholics

1. Northern IrelandProtestants Vs. Catholics Conflict in Multi-Ethnic Societies

6. 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

7. 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

10. 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

11. 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

13. 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

14. 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

16. 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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18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland • Divided Loyalties • Loyalty to different countries makes the Catholics and Protestants intolerant of each other

23. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

39. 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

40. 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?