Northern Ireland Protestants Vs Catholics Conflict in MultiEthnic

Northern Ireland Protestants Vs. Catholics Conflict in Multi-Ethnic Societies

Background • During the 1100 s, Ireland was a united country • Subsequently it was conquered by England in the 1200 s • 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 pushed out the local Catholic farmers

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

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

Background • In 1800, Ireland became part of the United Kingdom (England) • In the late 1800 s, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 see Britain as a foreign country – Nothing about the Protestants or the history of Northern Ireland is taught from a neutral perspective

CONSEQUENCES • How did the Catholics make their demands? • Effects of the Protestant-Catholic Conflict • Conclusion

From peaceful protest Marches to Violence • Mid-1960 s – Civil Rights Movement emerged • Demanded equal rights and to protest against unfair treatment of Catholics • Made peaceful demands for basic rights such as housing, jobs, education and voting

From peaceful protest Marches to Violence • CRM met with hostility and violence from some Protestants • Including the police force who thought it was an attempt to weaken the government • The CRM in 1968 marked the beginning of a period known as The Troubles in Northern Ireland

From peaceful protest Marches to Violence • As the situation worsened, government called for more help • Aug 1969, British Army units were sent to N. I. To help keep order • At first, Catholics welcomed them – thought they would be protected • As army began searching their homes and arresting suspects, they soon lost faith in the British Army

From peaceful protest Marches to Violence • 1972 : a peaceful civil rights march was shot at by British troops • 13 civilians were shot dead; many wounded • Bloody Sunday – turning point in Catholic-Protestant ties

Bloody Sunday

Bloody Sunday

Bloody Sunday

Bloody Sunday

An Era of Violence Ensues • • After 1972 : More violence Catholic homes petrol-bombed by Protestants Families forced to flee; looting by mobs Catholic businesses and pubs burnt and bombed • Often witnessed by local police force passively • British Army raided Catholic homes, using force and damaging property

Irish Republican Army • Feeling more desperate, the Catholics turned to the Irish Republican Army (IRA) for help • IRA : An illegal organisation formed largely of Northern Irish Catholics • Aim is to use violence to drive out the British Army and the representatives of the British government • Between 1969 and 1993, more than 3, 000 people were killed in the conflict • IRA responsible for 2/3 of the deaths • Sometimes killed innocent Protestants too

IRA Terror

IRA

Effects of the Conflict • The conflict has not been resolved • Often it is the innocent who are caught in the middle of the violence • Many of the 1, 750 who died between 1969 and 1977 were not directly involved • Many grow up with prejudices against each other • Affected economic development • Investments have decreased drastically • Violence has frightened away tourists

Aftermath • Throughout 1970 s and 1980 s, Sinn Fein (IRA political arm) and British govt. reps have met but failed to come to an agreement • Late 1990 s – British govt. , Irish govt. , S. F. and N. I. Community leaders actively discussed the N. I. peace accord • But this was rejected by a splinter group of the IRA – responded with a series of bomb attacks in Belfast • An agreement was reached in 1998. • Peace is still uncertain as tension still exists

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

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