Draft Corrections
Factor 1: 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.
Explanation 1: Divided Loyalties

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.
Factor 2: Lack of Voting Rights

A lack of voting rights contributed to the conflict between
the Protestants and the Catholics.

Before 1969, only those who owned houses and
businesses were entitled to vote in the local government
elections.

Each household was given 2 votes while companies were
given more votes depending on the number of workers
they had. As the Protestants were richer, they had many
companies and therefore got more votes.

Voting districts were also drawn up to include a larger
proportion of Protestants
Explanation 2: Voting Rights

Poorer Catholics who did not own companies got
less votes, which resulted in them being unable to
obtain any say in the government or gain political
power, making them resentful of the Protestants
and their ability to gain advantage through voting
rights.

Secondly, by re-drawing the voting districts,
Protestants could ensure that the Catholics were
unable to gain a power base, further marginalising
them. The Catholics were angry with this, causing
tension which later led to conflicts between the
Protestants and the Catholics.
Factor 3: Lack of Opportunities
for Social Interaction

Another cause of conflict was the lack of opportunities for social
interaction between Catholics and Protestants.

One area was in the education system. Protestant children
attended fully-funded public schools where they were taught
British history, played British sports and were loyal to Britain.

On the other hand, Catholic children attended partially-funded
private schools where they were taught Irish history, played Irish
sports and regarded Britain as a foreign country.

Only a small group of children attended integrated schools
where both groups interacted with each other.

In addition, the Catholics and Protestants have always lived in
separate residential areas which reduces the opportunity to
socially interact.
Explanation 3: Lack of Opportunities
for Social Interaction

Due to a lack of interaction, the
Protestants and the Catholics are
unable to resolve their differences.
Attending different schools and learning
different things and not interacting
together makes generations of
Protestant and Catholic children grow up
distrusting and being hostile to each
other, causing tension and conflict.
Weighing

Which is the most important cause?
 Remember, LACK OF COMMON IDENTITY FURTHER
PREVENTS UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION
BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS
Divided
Loyalties
Voting Rights
Lack of Social
Interaction
Causes conflict
because both
sides are loyal to
different countries
Causes conflict
because
Catholics lack fair
voting rights.
Different
education
systems and
residential areas
prevent social
interaction
This is a direct
cause of the
conflict.
Since 1969, this
issue has been
resolved.
This prevents any
chance of
resolving any
issues or causes
of conflict