Northern Ireland has a population composed of both Protestants and Catholics, with Protestants making up around 900,000 and Catholics around 680,000. The country has a long history of conflict between the two groups dating back to English colonization in the 16th century. While Ireland gained independence in 1921, Northern Ireland remained part of the UK. This led to discrimination against Catholics and the formation of paramilitary groups on both sides such as the IRA and various loyalist groups. Violence escalated throughout the 20th century, with over 500 killed in 1972 alone. Peace talks in the 1990s and 2000s aimed to establish power-sharing and find a lasting political solution, but tensions and segregation remain high between the two communities

1. NorthernIreland

3. NORTHERN IRELANDThe population is composedof Protestants and Catholics.900 000 Protestants and 680 000 Catholics.

5. HistoryEngland broughtIreland under systematicrule in thesixteenthcentury.English and Scottish Protestant settlers tookthe best land.The Englishtried to destroyIrishlanguage, culture and Catholisism.

7. IndependenceInspired by the American and Frenchrevolutions, theIrishbegantheirlongstruggle to be free.The Irishgotfinallytheirindependence in 1921.Ulster did not getfreedom.Britainhadbigpolitical and economicinterestshere.

9. UlsterLondon allowedtheNorthernIrish to governthemselves.NorthernIrelandbecamecontrolled by the Protestants.The Protestants excludedtheCatholics for politicalpower.Theydiscriminatedthemalso in housing and employment.

11. The TroublesThe shipbuildingindustrydeclined in thesixties.NorthernIrelandbecameoneofthepoorest parts in Britain.The Catholicsgotnojobs and theygotangry.In 1968 theywentout in thestreets to demonstrate.

13. BloodySundayThe demonstrationsgotintoviolence.The Catholicsformedthe IRA.The Protestants formedthe Ulster Defence Association and the Ulster Volunteer Force.In January 1972 British troopskilled 13 unarmed demonstrators.The IRA gotmany supporters aftertheBloodySunday.

15. The provincegot under directrule from London.500 peopledied in 1972 as a resultofviolence.Therewere IRA bombs, troopviolence and sectarian killings.

17. CatholicsThe IRA developed to be a smallarmy.The IRA etablished a politicalwing – Sinn Fein.The majorityoftheCatholicssupportedthe Social Democratic Party ( SDLP).

19. Most ofthe Protestants supportedthe Ulster Unionist Party.Ian PaisleyformedtheDemocratic Unionist Party ( DUP).The Unionists werefragmented.

21. London and DublinFrom 1972 to 1985 London tried to foster themiddlegroundamongthepeaceablemajorityofbothcommunities.Buttheeffortsweredestroyed by radicalpoliticiansonboth sides.The government in Dublin supportedtheCatholiccommunity in Ulster.It criticised British policy and practice.

23. London and Dublin wanted to cooperatepolitically.The British governmentbegan to negotiate an agreementwith Dublin.The Anglo Irishagreementof 1985.This weakened IRAs position.

25. In 1988 IRAs Gerry Adams and SDLPs John Hume begansecret talks.In August 1994 the IRA announced a cease-fire.The British governmentwantedthatthe IRA decommissioneditsweapons.The IRA refused.In 1996 a big bomb exploded in theDocklands

27. Tony Blair wantedpeace talks with Sinn Feinifthe IRA abandonedviolence.Sinn Fein and the IRA accepted Tony Blairs challenge.A newcease fire began.Nationalists and Unionists begannegotiations.A peace plan wasclear 10. april 1998.

29. The agreement:The establishment of a NorthernIrelandassembly.Establish a North South ministerialcouncil.The establishment of a council for the Isles.

31. Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein and David Trimbleofthe Ulster Unionist Party tried to get an agreement.The IRA refused to decommisionitsweapons.In August 1998 the Real IRA detonated a bomb in Omagh, killing 29 people.

33. In May 1998 71% ofthepeople in NorthernIrelandsupportedtheagreement.

35. The twocommunitiesaresegregated.Protestants and Catholics have moved to theirown areas.Education has alwaysbeensegregated.Only 10 % ofchildrenattendintegratedschools.

37. In 1995 unemploymentstood for 18 % for Catholics and 8 % for Protestants.Unemployment in bothcommunitiesrecruteyoung men for terrorists.

39. In Julyeachyearthe Orange Order organise parades to celebratetheBattleoftheBoyne.SomeofthemarchesgothroughCatholic areas.The Orangemensee it as a celebrationofcommunityidentity.Catholicssee it as a provocation.In 1998 theOrangemenwereforbidden to marchdowntheGarvaghy Road in Drumcree.

41. The Catholicpopulation is young, butthe Protestant population is old.The Protestants politicalpower is decreasing.