The other side want Northern Ireland to join the South and become part of the Irish Republic. They are called Nationalists. Hardline Nationalists are also known as Republicans. They are mostly members of the Catholic community. The main nationalist political voice is that of the SDLP (Social and Democratic Labour Party) and Sinn Fein. Sinn Fein is led by Gerry Adams. Not all Nationalists agree about how their goals should be met. The SDLP is completely committed to adopting a democratic, peaceful approach whereas Sinn Fein, although a political party, has close links to the IRA (Irish Republican Army). The IRA are the main Republican paramilitaries who use violence to achieve their aims and have done so on many occasions in the past. To Nationalists they are freedom fighters. To their opponents, they are terrorists and criminal thugs.
Not surprisingly, the two groups in Northern Ireland are suspicious of each other and often live in separate communities where their children attend different schools. Some people are very determined to get their own way. Although most people in Northern Ireland do not support violence, a minority of Loyalists and Republicans have used murder to show how strongly they feel about the future of Ireland. Both communities have illegal paramilitary organisations associated with them and are not afraid to turn to violent means to achieve their goals. There is still a huge gulf that exists between the two sides that creates a great deal of mistrust in Northern Ireland. A compromise or lasting peace still seems a long way off despite continued attempts to reduce the tension.
Question 1
What are the main differences between the beliefs of the Republicans/Nationalists and the Loyalists/Unionists (5 marks)
The main differences between the Republicans and the Loyalists is that the Nationalists see themselves as Irish rather than British; and fight for Ireland to have a separate government to that of Britain, with their government based in Dublin. Independence from Britain is their main goal, having one united nation called Ireland. The majority the Republicans are Catholic, only some of whom have extreme views. The main political parties promoting this view are the Social and Democratic Labour Party (SDLP) and Sinn Fein, the latter has close links with the IRA which often uses violence to achieve their ends. In contrast, the SDLP is strongly opposed to the use of militant tactics and is the main voice of parliamentary nationalism in Northern Ireland.
The Unionists are generally Protestants who believe in maintaining the union between Britain and Northern Ireland, therefore sharing government. The Unionists, or Loyalists also have political representation. The strongest views are presented by the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) which is strongly opposed to the use of violence in the Province. They are the main voice of parliamentary Unionism. Another political party, which has a large following, is the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) this is more hard-line, but still a democratic party.
Both sides are very determined to get their own way. Although most people in Northern Ireland do not support violence, a minority of Loyalists and Republicans have used violence to show how strongly they feel about the future of Ireland. Both sides have paramilitary organisations attached to them and are not afraid to resort to violence to achieve their ends. Not surprisingly, the two groups in Northern Ireland are wary of each other and often live in separate communities where their children attend separate schools.
