Causes of Northern Ireland Conflict

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

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3. Objectives
• 1. History of Northern Ireland before the
Conflict.
• 2. Causes of Northern Ireland Conflict.

4. Big Terms
• Protestants and Catholics
• Unionist/Loyalist VS
Nationalist/Republican

10. 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

12. 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

15. 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

16. 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

18. 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

20. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

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

28. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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

44. 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

45. 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 deal with the lack of social
interaction as one of the factors in the issue of
The Irish Conflict.
• Weigh your lack of social interaction factor
against the MAIN CAUSE of the conflict
• Is it more important? Less important?