The Unionists want partition in Ireland, as they believe separation to the country will help them control t with their laws and their political policies. Nationalists were 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.
I think the only similarity in beliefs, which were shared by both sides, was education. 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 Protestants believed in the children having no suggestion of living in Ireland.
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.
To conclude the education system, the beliefs between sides show to be the same, but because of the Protestant control the Catholics had poorer facilities compared to those of the Protestants. I think this lead to greater resentment of the Catholics side, as they would have become envious of what the Protestants had and wouldn’t share.
Since the protestants believed they were the “King’s men” they believed they have the best of everything. There seemed to be little belief of 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 the 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,
“The only way the Irish people can bring about the freedom is through the use of arms”.
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.
