The situation is not just about religious differences there are political ones too.
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Ulster Unionist Party - the UUP was established in the 19th century, to defend the beliefs of the Northern Protestants. Also known as the official Unionist party, they ruled Ireland from 1920 to 1971.
- The Democratic Unionist- the DUP was founded in 1971 by Ian Paisley. The DUP have taken many working class supporters away from the UUP, its tough thinking has called for the destruction of the IRA
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The Orange Order- established in1795 and is the biggest unionist party in Northern Ireland today. Named after William of Orange the 17th century protestant king.
- The Ulster Defence Association and The Ulster Volunteer Force- These are the main two paramilitary groups. They were established in the early 1970's to fight the IRA. Both groups are illegal and have been responsible for the deaths of many Catholics.
Certain Nationalists groups would be
- Social Democratic and Labour Party- founded in 1970, supported mostly by Catholics. They wish for the whole of Ireland to be united but are opposed to the violence of other groups such as the IRA. The SDLP wishes for peace in the whole of Ireland.
- Sinn Fein- backed the IRA in the methods they use and the beliefs they support. Many Catholics with working class status support the group in mainly Belfast and Derry. Sinn Fein sends up candidates for election throughout Ireland but only receives significant support in some parts of the north. Sinn Fein now advocate peaceful methods.
- IRA- the Irish Republican Army- established in 1919, uses fierce methods to oppose British presence in Ireland. The Ira have killed large numbers of British soldiers and Irish police officers also setting off many bombs which have killed people in both mainland Ireland and England. The IRA is an illegal organisation.
The Unionists want partition in Ireland, as they believe separation of the country will help them keep control with their laws and their political policies. The Nationalists are against this, as they believed in a united Ireland whereby they would control their own country with their own government and they thought that the partition of Ireland could not offer them anything.
The Unionists did not believe in democracy and so gerrymandered the elections of local councils to gain control. They believed they had to do so, so they could "win" and not let the "Traitors" stay in control. Even though in 1966, in Derry, there were 20102 Catholics and only 10274 Protestants in the area, the unionists won 12 seats for councillors and the nationalists only gained 8 seats. The Nationalists saw this as unfair and stated that they would not have any thing to with the new government. Once in control of Stormont Lord Craigavon said, "We are a Protestant for Protestant people" This would have clearly outraged the catholic community, as Ireland was a Catholic place and the British had taken over the government and then made out Ireland was a Protestant community. This clearly shows why the nationalists were against the unionists.
Differences also result from separate schooling. The protestant schools wanted the children to be brought up in English civilisation, even if they lived in Ireland. The Protestant belief was: -
"No Irish history, no Irish literature, no Irish music"
The Protestant schools teach nothing of Irish living.
The Catholics had similar beliefs as the children were taught to be patriotic within the community to the Irish way of life and culture.
Within the schooling philosophy each side would teach the children their own history and their own religion, using only their own books with biased views following their own beliefs.
Since the protestants believed they were the "King's men" they believed they have the best of everything. There seemed to be little belief in equality on behalf of the unionists. Figures show the unemployment rates in 1984 left 28% of Catholics unemployed, and only 13% of Protestants with unemployment. This means you were twice as likely to unemployed if you were Catholic. Catholics believed they were harshly discriminated against when it came to not only employment but also in the eyes of the law as the Protestants believed, "Police force needs to keep a close check on Catholic traitors" and housing a land divisions. Unionist clearly believed that they should "Give the best to the Protestants"
The Republicans wanted to do something about controlling their own country and getting a united Ireland, which they really wanted, but within the party there was disagreement between the IRA and SDLP on how to get the power. To achieve what they wanted the SDLP believed a more peaceful approach compared to the IRA. SDLP believed the settlement should be done through negotiations. The Ira did not support John Hume's (Leader of the SDLP) approach. They believed he was just "part of the British war machine". The IRA's view was more of a violent approach, as they believed,
Overall, until the division, which has been created by history, can be forgotten or both sides are willing to compromise over the difference of beliefs there is going to be no peace.