"What are the main differences between the beliefs of the Republican/Nationalists and the Loyalists/Unionists?"

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Josh Stamp 10N

“What are the main differences between the beliefs of the Republican/Nationalists and the Loyalists/Unionists?”

Over centuries there has been a great contrast in belief between the Republicans and the Loyalists. One of the main differences is the religion. Republicans are mainly Catholics and the Loyalists are mainly Protestants. The religious differences go back hundreds of years. In Tudor times when Henry 8th made himself head of the Church of England, Ireland remained a Catholic country. During Elizabethan times fears on catholic invasions from Europe prompted Protestant plantations in Ireland because Ireland could be used as a base for such an invasion. This was just the start of the division of beliefs. Opinions from the Protestants to the Catholics became hateful and soon Catholics were seen to be "traitors" and "untrustworthy" because they had retaliated against the Protestants in 1642 in the Catholic rebellion and simile the Catholics believed the Protestants couldn't be trusted because of some of their selfish acts.

Religious differences also include differences in church styles and services. The probably also do not accept the Pope as their spiritual leader. In fact one of their fears of having a united Ireland is that the pope will have more power there because Ireland will become a Catholic country.

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The situation is not just about religious differences there are political ones too.

  • 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
  • The Orange Order- established in1795 and is the biggest unionist party in Northern Ireland today. ...

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