Irish Divisions Lesson starter: Write down a list of problems that immigration can cause in Britain.

We are learning to… Identify reasons for divisions amongst Irish immigrants Examine the legacy of those divisions

I can… Note-take from several sources on divisions and sectarianism Use the notes to write a speech for the charity nil-by-mouth

Starter task: Watch the news clip: What is happening here? Why? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13453418 What is happening here? Why?

The news clip talked about sectarian shouting The news clip talked about sectarian shouting. What does sectarianism mean? Sectarianism is prejudice and conflict between different religious groups, for example between Protestants and Catholics.

Quoted from the Evening Express 29 August 2012  Aberdeen man shouted sectarian insults at Rangers match 25-year-old in tirade about the Pope An ABERDEEN man today admitted shouting sectarian insults at a Rangers game. A Rangers fan, 25 years old, launched into a tirade about the Pope at the club’s first match since liquidation. He was filmed by police shouting offensive phrases as he watched his team’s match against Brechin City at Glebe Park last month. He was one of five men arrested following the July 29 Ramsdens Cup game on suspicion of using foul and abusive language of religious hatred within a football stadium. Arrested in Aberdeen the following week, he was hit with a £500 fine when he appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court today. Sheriff Peter Anderson said: “To come to Brechin and behave as you did was outrageous.” .

Points for discussion What was the man arrested for? Why do you think he did it? Can you think of any other examples of sectarianism that have been in the news? Have you personally witnessed any examples of sectarianism? Do you know why sectarianism developed in Scotland?

Your teacher will now show you some slides about the background to sectarianism. Take notes as we go through Be ready to answer the quiz questions at the end!

Why did sectarianism develop in Scotland? Conflict between Catholics and Protestants has a long history…… In the 17th and 18th century there was conflict between the Jacobite followers of Catholic King James VII and the forces of King William and Queen Mary, who took the throne in 1688 and were not Roman Catholics. Sectarian conflict continued when large numbers of Irish settled in Scotland in the 19th century..... Statue of John Knox, leader of Scottish Reformation 1560 Culloden, 1746

Irish divisions People in Scotland are used to the strong rivalry between Rangers and Celtic football teams. This rivalry goes back a long way.   Celtic was set up by Catholics. It enjoyed strong support from Irish Catholics. Rangers Football Club developed as a centre of Protestant loyalty. Many of its supporters were Irish settlers too.

Irish divisions These Irish Protestants came from the area of northern Ireland called Ulster. Compared with Irish Catholics, they found it easier to fit into Scottish life: Many were descended from Protestant Scots who had gone to live in Ulster in the seventeenth century. They followed the same religion as most Scots. Quite a number were skilled workers.

Irish divisions The Ulster Protestants and the Irish Catholics also held different views about politics. During the nineteenth century there were strong movements by Irish people still in Ireland to win back their own parliament. They demanded ‘home rule’ not government from Westminster. Many Catholic Irish in Scotland supported them. But Ulster Protestants did not agree. They were proud to be British and eager to avoid being ruled by an Irish parliament, since most voters in Ireland would be Catholic.

Irish divisions Protestant Irish set up branches of their organisation the Orange Order in Scotland. This organisation began in Ireland at the end of the eighteenth century to defend Protestant religion and British rule in Ireland. It was named after William of Orange, who became ruler of Britain in 1688. William replaced the Catholic King James. James had attempted, in vain, to recover his crown by launching a military campaign in Ireland.  

Irish divisions The Orange Order spread rapidly in Scotland. Members of the Order sometimes behaved violently, especially towards Catholic Irish.   Divisions between Irish Catholics and Protestants also continued into places of work, where it was impossible to work for a company on the other side.

Irish divisions In the early twentieth century division between the two Irish communities became, for a short while, even sharper: Irish Catholics supported people in Ireland who wanted complete independence from Britain. Irish Protestants and their descendants in Britain supported their fellow Ulster Protestants who wished to remain part of Britain. In 1922 most of Ireland became independent, while Ulster remained part of Britain. Civil war now began in Ireland between supporters and opponents of this deal. Interest in Scotland in the problem rapidly faded.  

Scottish relations with Irish Catholics Irish Catholics were often criticised by Scots because of their religion. Some Scots were intensely opposed to the Roman Catholic Church and its head,the Pope. By the late 1850s this burst of feeling had faded. In the 1920s and 30s another outburst of anti-Irish Catholic feeling affected parts of Scotland. The Church of Scotland’s General Assembly produced a report blaming Irish Catholics for taking Scots’ jobs, spreading crime and weakening Scottish Protestant standards.

Scottish relations with Irish Catholics Irish Catholic settlers were criticised for keeping together and keeping their communities centred around their churches. During 1935 the organisation Protestant Action organised several large gatherings of its followers. Anti-Catholic rioting broke out. But the main political parties rejected demands to control Irish immigration. Trouble finally calmed with the coming of a far more serious event – the start of the Second World War.

But many Irish Catholics took part in Scottish life along with Scots....... Many who came before the potato famine had married Scots and merged into Scottish life. Others intermarried later. During the later 19th and early 20th centuries Irish Catholics took part in Scottish life: They joined trade unions. They joined in movements that were trying to win the vote for all adults in Scotland. Large numbers fought in the First World War.

Quiz questions Were the Jacobites Catholic or Protestant? Was King William Catholic or Protestant? Was the Orange Order Catholic or Protestant? Were the Irish immigrants from Ulster Catholic or Protestant? Did Irish Catholic immigrants in Scotland support those who wanted Ireland to be independent of the UK, or those who wanted Ireland to be part of the UK? What did the Irish Protestant immigrants and their descendants want to happen, regarding whether Ireland should be independent or not? Name a Protestant organisation in the 1930s in Scotland that was against Irish immigration. Give a piece of evidence that shows that Irish Catholics did join in Scottish life. Give a piece of evidence to show that Irish Catholic immigrants experienced discrimination from the native Scots. What does the word ‘sectarianism’ mean?

Why are we still talking about sectarianism in the 21st century? Activity on sectarianism Why are we still talking about sectarianism in the 21st century? Because it continues to be a problem….. Nil by Mouth is a Scottish Charity which is campaigning to get rid of sectarianism.   Extract from website of Nil by Mouth: Rangers and Celtic football clubs both run a number of initiatives to tackle sectarian attitudes and behaviour amongst their supporters in recent years. The Glasgow clubs’ campaigns seek to educate young people about the problems of prejudice, and encourage fans to support their team without indulging in sectarian behaviour. http://nilbymouth.org/

Activity: Scotland’s Shame Programme Watch the programme about Sectarianism and take detailed notes on Examples of sectarianism The reasons given for it What has been done to reduce sectarianism in Scotland

Activity: Sectarianism speech You have been asked to do some voluntary work for the Nil by Mouth anti sectarianism charity You have to prepare a speech to deliver at an S1 assembly which explains sectarianism to pupils and encourages them not to practise it

Sectarianism speech: Success Criteria Introduce yourself Explain what sectarianism is Give two examples of sectarianism Explain why sectarianism exists in Glasgow Explain why sectarianism is wrong Explain how young people can ensure they do not become involved in sectarianism