Started in the 17th century between the
catholics and the protestants. then to The
plantations of Ulster. The word Unionism came
from the union between England when the irish
parliament was abolished from ireland and
started and began to be run from England.
Division between Catholics and protestants
predates the conflict over the Union. In the 18th
century ireland was part of only Protestant only
Irish Parliament. Catholics where denied full
political and economic rights.
Edward Carson was a massive figure head in Irelands Unionist
history. He accepted the role of Irish Unionist Parliamentery Party
leader in 1910. Carson devoted his entire political life to his belief
in the union of Ireland and England. He was once quoted saying
that he would not have a political life if it were not for the union.
His efforts delayed the home rule bill several years and pulled it
apart to the point of no return.
Flags and symbols
Ulster Unionists firmly believe that Ireland should stay
a part of The United Kingdom. They are also against the
idea of having Ireland being Home ruled and think
Irelands parliament should stay in Britain.
Ulster Volunteers Force were formed in 1912 and there main
aim at the point of creation was stop the Home Rule bill, They
were based out of ulster were protestant unionists made up
the majority of the population. Many of the volunteers feared
having catholic rule as they would lose their local suprenacy
and strong ties with England. Their rival force was the Irish
Volunteers who were for home rule.
One main significant event that has helped shaped
Ulster Unionism is the Act of Union in 1800. The
Union came into effect after the 1798 rebellion, a lot
of protestants feared for the Act of Union as they
thought it would give more power to catholics and
changed the balance of power that was massively in
favour of the protestants at that time.
Irish Nationalism
Irish Nationalism's main idea is that
the Irish people are a wholly united
nation. They are against the split of
the British controlled Northern
Ireland and want a 1 government
system over Ireland.
Flags and symbols
Irish nationalism, as it developed in the 19th and early 20th
centuries was a mixture of aspects of various political parties, not
necessarily of Irish origin, which were gradually joined in different
forms by the groups who adopted a policy of Irish independence. In
the 1890-1910 period at least four main nationalist organisations
existed, these being the Irish Parliamentary Party, Sinn Fein, the Irish
Republican Brotherhood and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Daniel O'Connell long revered in Irish history as 'The Liberator'
was a constant enemy of the working class and laid the
foundations for the anti English and anti socialist ideas at the root
of much of Irish nationalism. As well as this he was also a figure
head for the rights of Catholics in Ireland during this time and
much of his work was to do with giving Catholics back their rights
to own land.O'Connell's family background is of interest as are
some of his less publicised political activities. O'Connell was born
into a family of the minor landowning catholic social group. He
received his education in France during the period of the French
Revolution. These experiences are held as the formative
influences on a political career in which he famously declared the
Irish freedom was not worth the shedding of a drop of blood.
The Trade Union controversy arose as a result of increased industrial agitation in Dublin and
a violent spinners strike in Glasgow in 1837. The Dublin disputed were set mainly around the
enforcement of minimum wage, the limitations set in place for the amount of
apprenticeships, and the compulsory membership of trade unions. O Connell, supported by
the Archbishop of Dublin, attacked Trade Union leaders and was challenged to openly debate
the issues involved. At this meeting O Connell complained that Irish Trade Unions were more
military than their English counterparts and that their activities had led to a decline in trade in
Dublin. The workers argued that the restrictive practises within their trades were necessary to
maintain jobs and conditions.
Ulster Loyalism
Ulster Loyalism is an ideologoy
found generally around the
working class of people in
Northern Ireland. Many of them
are descendants of colonists from
Britain.
The Ulster Worker's strike took place
between the 15th and 28th of May 1974. It
called on both Loyalists and Unionists who
where against the signing of the
Sunningdale agreement. More specifically
the strikers were against the idea of
sharing power with the Irish Nationalists,
and a new idea from the proposed
Government of Ireland.
Flags and symbols
In 1912 the Ulster volunteers were formed to
stop the British from allowing self-rule in
Ireland. These paramilitary groups caused the
Home rule crisis which was later diffused by
the onset of World War 2. Later on
paramilitary groups were formed for the War
of Independence.
Billy Wright was a prominent Ulster Loyalist
during the troubles. In 1994 Billy and his unit
broke a ceasefire caused by the UVF. He was
part of the Ulster volunteers force for most of
his life and started in his early teens.
The Ulster covenant was a document signed by over
500,000 people in 1912. It was essentially a petition
against home rule and many say one of the big reasons
for Irelands drift into civil war.
Ulster’s Solemn League and Covenant Being convinced in our consciences that
Home Rule would be disastrous to the material well-being of Ulster as well as of
the whole of Ireland, subversive of our civil and religious freedom, destructive of
our citizenship and perilous to the unity of the Empire, we, whose names are
underwritten, men of Ulster, loyal subjects of his Gracious Majesty King George V,
humbly relying on the God whom our fathers in days of stress and trial
confidently trusted, do hereby pledge ourselves in solemn Covenant throughout
this our time of threatened calamity to stand by one another in defending for
ourselves and our children our cherished position of equal citizenship in the
United Kingdom and in using all means which may be found necessary to defeat
the present conspiracy to set up a Home Rule Parliament in Ireland. And in the
event of such a Parliament being forced upon us we further solemnly and
mutually pledge ourselves to refuse to recognise its authority.
Ulster loyalism believes that politically and
religiously ireland should stay a part of the
United Kingdom. Any idea or suggestion of
Ireland being independent or even home
ruled is against their political views.
Irish Republicanism
Irish republicanism is the the idea the Ireland
should be its own republic. It sprouted in
retaliation to the British and the instagation of
of democracy through out Europe, this
eventually lead to the idea of Irish
Republicanism.
One significant event that has shaped Irish Republicanism
was the Easter rising of 1916. IRA, IRB and IRC forces all
came together to enact an uprising against the British
forces. They took the GPO in the centre of Dublin as a stand.
On the steps of the GPO, Patrick Pearse, one of the leaders
of the rising read out a proclamation stating Ireland to be a
republic, and that they were instituting the provisional
Government of the Republic of Ireland.
One main historical figure involved in Irish
Republicanism is Éamon de Valera. He was heavily
involved in the 1916 Easter Rising and managed to
escape execution due to his American citizenship.
He later became the leader of the Republican side
of the war of Independence.
The biggest and oldest political movement in this ideology
is/was Sinn Fein. They are the oldest political movement in
Irish history and currently hold a majority in government.
They have strong ties with the IRA and a very checkered past,
with the President: Gerry Adams's, being accused of a murder.
They are highly opposed to the idea of a united
England/ireland and want a republic for the irish people;
Hey Ms. Price, this program wouldn't let me upload any more images so the symbol for Republicanism is
here: https://cedarlounge.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/starryplough06p01-copy.jpg
The central ideas and concepts surrounding irish
Republicanism is that Ireland should be its own republic,
separate from The UK and govern itself. They are against the
monarch entirely and believe it should not be responsible for
the governing of Ireland.