Ireland - Northern Ireland (English)

The conflict in Northern Ireland
The roots of the conflict in Northern Ireland go back to the 12^th century, when England invaded Ireland. It first was a conflict between ruler and subject. However, while Ireland has always stayed Catholic, the English became Protestant. As the English tried to convert Ireland to Protestantism, the religious conflict began.
The reason why there is a conflict especially in Northern Ireland is that in these six counties of Ulster Protestants held the majority. At the beginning of the 17^th century settlers from Scotland, who were Protestant, came to Ulster in the so-called Plantation of Ulster and put off the Irish.
Later, when the Irish won the Anglo-Irish war and became independent in 1921, the six counties of Northern Ireland remained with the United Kingdom.
As the Protestants were a majority in Northern Ireland, they dominated in economy and policy. Sectarian discrimination was the result.
The troubles started with the Catholics’ complain and ask for legislation and equality in any situation.
Both Catholic and Protestant side have extremist organizations like the IRA or rather the Ulster Unionists. They struggled with each other and so started a civil war. British troops were sent to preserve public peace.
By now, the problem has not been solved, but the war is over.