Conflict with Unionists and Nationalists in Northern Ireland
Conflict with Unionists and Nationalists in Northern Ireland
“The only way to beat the British Monarch is to refuse its existence and believe that the Irish Republic is real and alive. Now, if I die, who will take my place?” These powerful words were said by an Irish martyr, Michael Collins, who’s unyielding determination as a Nationalist and a Catholic served as inspiration to continue in the struggle that the province of Northern Ireland is still engaged in today. But, from where did this all originate, what steps have been taken towards peace and why is Northern Ireland so reluctant to be ruled by England?
The history of the troubles that haunt Northern Ireland are not due to any one particular incident but rather a series of incidents beginning back when the island of Ireland was conquered by the Anglo-Normans troops in the late 12th century. English rulers then tried to colonize the island by any means possible, making enemies out of the Irish. Throughout history England has ruled Ireland. A drastic change took place in 1921, when the country was divided. Northern Ireland remained part of the UK, while the remainder of the country became the Republic of Ireland.
The English progressed into Ulster Country with hopes of colonizing it. However, a clash of cultures erupted due to the animosity that Ireland, as a whole wanted to be the Republic of Ireland. The Irish Republic Army fought in hopes of driving the Protestant British out of Catholic Ireland and they only secured 26 out of 32 counties. The desire to drive the British out inspired rebellion on the behalf of the Irish Catholics. They were the domination of Ireland, and now being discriminated against on their own land. They were punished and taxed due to their behavior. They wanted to keep their culture; sacred, their religion; majority and their home, home.
From a political standpoint this is a conflict of the Unionists and the Nationalists. “The Unionists (Protestant) who believe in maintaining Northern Ireland’s political union with Great Britain.” (Path to Peace) “While the Nationalists (Catholic) were exiles from the Irish nation; in their exclusion they clung to their religion as a mark of cultural identity; politically; they dealt with the Northern Ireland State by ignoring it.”(4 Holland)
In 1968,...