Causes for the Protestant-Catholic Tension
Divided Loyalties
Cause of Conflict
• Protestants regard themselves as British and wish to see the country continue as part of the United Kingdom
• Many of them are afraid of the union with the Republic of Ireland which is a Catholic country. They feared that that the government would dislike their protestant beliefs.
o The Protestants still celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Boyne.
In 1690, King James II, a Catholic , was forced to flee to the north of Ireland when he failed to force the catholic religion on the Protestants in England. The new King of England, William of Orange, a Protestant defeated James II in the battle of Boyne in Ireland.
• The Catholics in northern Ireland see themselves as Irish and would like their country to be reunited with Ireland. They resented the English conquest
Result
• This sense of loyalty to different countries make the Protestants and Catholics intolerant of each other . It is difficult for the country to be peaceful and united.
The Education System
Cause of Conflict
• In Northern Ireland, there are public schools that cater for Protestants only, and private schools that cater for Catholics only
• The Protestant children are taught British history, play British sports such as rugby, hockey and cricket and are very loyal to Britain
• The Catholic children learn Irish history, take up Irish sports such as hurling and are taught the Irish language and culture and they regard Britain as a foreign country
Result
• The children of the two religions rarely get to meet and know each other
• Generations grow up to be distrustful of each other and this makes them even more hostile to each other
Employment
Cause of Conflict
• Catholics feel that they do not have the same opportunity as the Protestants in getting the jobs that they want. Many Protestant employers would prefer Protestants.
Result
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