Social Studies Northern Ireland

Social Studies Revision Resource - Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland

Factors: Causes of Conflict in Northern Ireland • Divided Loyalties • Unequal Allocation of Housing • Unequal Employment Opportunities • Lack of Voting Rights • Lack of Opportunities for Social Interaction (Education & Housing)

Divided Loyalties • The difference in political beliefs between the Protestants and Catholics also contributed to the conflict in Northern Ireland. • The Protestants see themselves as British and want Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK. They are afraid that a union with the Republic of Ireland would mean that the Catholic government would be intolerant of their Protestant beliefs. • The Catholics see themselves as Irish and want a union with the Republic of Ireland. The Catholics also resent the history of English conquest where they were killed and treated badly by the Protestants. • Loyalty to different countries makes the Protestants and the Catholics intolerant of each other, causing tension which would later result in conflict between the two sides. • This difference also contributes to a lack of identity which further prevents understanding and co-operation between the Catholics and Protestants, leading to more tension and conflict.

Unequal Allocation of Housing • One reason for the conflict in Northern Ireland is the unequal allocation of public housing by city councils. • As the city councils are largely made up of Protestants, more houses would be given to the Protestants than the Catholics, therefore the Catholics find the allocation of public housing by the government to be unfair. • As the Catholics have larger families, they are frustrated by the shortage of housing as they would have to wait many years to be allocated a house. • They were angered by this discrimination and their frustration led to the conflict.

Unequal Employment Opportunities • In Northern Ireland, it is more difficult for Catholics to get jobs, especially in