Northern Ireland

In 1170 Ireland became the first English colony and during Henry VIIIs reign (1507-1547) all of Ireland was controlled by England. In 1610 Scottish Protestants began settling in Northern Ireland. In 1916 the Easter Rising found place, where the Irish republicans wanted home rule, and this marked the beginning of the Irish War of Independence. The war of independence in Ireland ended with a truce on 11 July 1921. The conflict had reached a stalemate. In 1922 the Island was divided into an Irish Free State and Northern Ireland. The Irish Free State was not completely independent though, the British crown still had power. In 1937 the Irish Free State became totally independent and was now a republic; Republic of Ireland.

The Irish Civil War started in June 1922 and lasted until May 1923. The War was a direct consequence of the creation of the Irish Free State. That's because the Irish Free State Army supported the agreement that divided Ireland. The IRA was opposed to the agreement. The war was in the end won by the Free State Army. For a long time there have been problems between the Catholics and the Protestants. The Irish were Catholics, but the English and Scottish who settled in Northern Ireland were Protestants. Here the Irish Catholics were poor and suppressed by the Protestants.

Today there are 60% Protestants in the Northern Ireland, most of who feel they belong to the UK. Of the 40% Catholics most feel they should be independent from the UK/ be part of the Republic of Ireland.