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

7. 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

8. 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

11. 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

12. 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

14. 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

15. 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

17. Background Before 1972 Since 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

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

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

36. From peaceful protest Marches to Violence
Mid-1960s – 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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

40. Bloody Sunday

41. Bloody Sunday

42. Bloody Sunday

43. Bloody Sunday

44. 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

45. 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

46. IRA Terror

47. IRA

48. 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

49. Aftermath
Throughout 1970s and 1980s, Sinn Fein (IRA political arm) and British govt. reps have met but failed to come to an agreement
Late 1990s – 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

54. 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

55. 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?