NORTHERN IRELAND
Example essay Q: what were the causes of conflict in Northern Ireland and to what extent have they
been resolved?
Brief long history
England as an imperial power from 12 th century
Tide turned with success in conquering Ireland when James I took the throne
James I – Increase in protestant settlements in Ireland after being given land there
1801 Act of Union: Britain & Ireland merged
Anti-English mood exacerbated by the impact of the famine 1845-1852 = 1 million die resort
as a failure of the potato crop for repeated years. English deemed to have a harsh,
unsympathetic approach
‘Irish question’ on political agenda through 19thC – Charles Stewart Parnell and Irish
Parliamentary Party. Key policy was home rule for Ireland.
1912 Home Rule for Ireland passed – resisted by unionists, not implemented because of
WW1. Unionists begin to ship in weapons, as do the Republicans in retaliation.
Shift to more radical republicans – after three men took over the post office in Dublin and
declare independence, they were executed which was seen as harsh and lost English govt.
support.
1916 – failed revolution; 1918 – declaration of independence.
1919-1921 Irish War of Independence IRA v British Army
IRA run a guerrilla campaign against the British Army – Michael Collins and other leaders
agree to negotiate peace
1912 Anglo-Irish Treaty – Irish Free State
6 counties of NI opted out and stayed in the UK
Civil War over treaty
1949 became Republic and left Commonwealth
NI remained part of the UK, with short-lived periods of devolution
Current devolved assembly and executive
Religion and parties
Religious divisions in NI
Protestant majority – want to remain in the UK
Catholic minority – most favour united Ireland
Among protestants, unionists moderate, loyalists more extreme. Unionists have pursued
political tactics whilst Loyalists have gone for a paramilitary approach.
Among Catholics, nationalists moderate, Republicans more extreme. Nationalists follow a
political route whereas Republicans are extreme; terror attacks etc.
Unionist Parties
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) – moderate, favours staying in UK with devolution
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) – Ian Paisley, uncompromising, critical of Sinn Fein,
opposed Good Friday agreement
Traditional Ulster Voice (TUV) – outspoken
Progressive Unionist Party
Nationalist/Republican parties
Example essay Q: what were the causes of conflict in Northern Ireland and to what extent have they
been resolved?
Brief long history
England as an imperial power from 12 th century
Tide turned with success in conquering Ireland when James I took the throne
James I – Increase in protestant settlements in Ireland after being given land there
1801 Act of Union: Britain & Ireland merged
Anti-English mood exacerbated by the impact of the famine 1845-1852 = 1 million die resort
as a failure of the potato crop for repeated years. English deemed to have a harsh,
unsympathetic approach
‘Irish question’ on political agenda through 19thC – Charles Stewart Parnell and Irish
Parliamentary Party. Key policy was home rule for Ireland.
1912 Home Rule for Ireland passed – resisted by unionists, not implemented because of
WW1. Unionists begin to ship in weapons, as do the Republicans in retaliation.
Shift to more radical republicans – after three men took over the post office in Dublin and
declare independence, they were executed which was seen as harsh and lost English govt.
support.
1916 – failed revolution; 1918 – declaration of independence.
1919-1921 Irish War of Independence IRA v British Army
IRA run a guerrilla campaign against the British Army – Michael Collins and other leaders
agree to negotiate peace
1912 Anglo-Irish Treaty – Irish Free State
6 counties of NI opted out and stayed in the UK
Civil War over treaty
1949 became Republic and left Commonwealth
NI remained part of the UK, with short-lived periods of devolution
Current devolved assembly and executive
Religion and parties
Religious divisions in NI
Protestant majority – want to remain in the UK
Catholic minority – most favour united Ireland
Among protestants, unionists moderate, loyalists more extreme. Unionists have pursued
political tactics whilst Loyalists have gone for a paramilitary approach.
Among Catholics, nationalists moderate, Republicans more extreme. Nationalists follow a
political route whereas Republicans are extreme; terror attacks etc.
Unionist Parties
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) – moderate, favours staying in UK with devolution
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) – Ian Paisley, uncompromising, critical of Sinn Fein,
opposed Good Friday agreement
Traditional Ulster Voice (TUV) – outspoken
Progressive Unionist Party
Nationalist/Republican parties
