u would not see two Americans killing each over religion as often as you would in Northern Ireland. Once again, it is difficult to figure out how much of the violence in Northern Ireland is based on religious views and how much is over political views. The line between religion and politics in Northern Ireland is not distinguishable.The strife began in 1170. Norman warriors left England and brought violence to Ireland. They were sent from their homeland by King Henry II to gain control over the region for British rule. For four centuries, the Norman warriors made an impact in Ireland. Despite their efforts with the war, it was still considered unsuccessful. The Norman campaign grew stronger when a chieftain by the name of Hugh O’Neil entered the scene. Oddly enough, Hugh did not side with the English; he led a rebellion against the British army. The rebellion was quickly destroyed. Hugh’s failure caused other Gaelic chiefs to flee from Ireland and opened the door for English in colonize Ireland. In 1641 the Catholic population had their first chance to win back their country with the help of Charles I. Charles I led a conflict against the Parliament. Things worsened for the King when he set out to destroy all those who would dare to oppose him. He orchestrated the Great Rising, in which he sent out agents to murder a number of Protestant Ulster planters. The defeat of Charles I emboldened the sense of retribution of his enemies. Oliver Cromwell turned his hatred to revenge when he sought to, “dispatch the native Irish to impoverished west of Ireland.” He sent 36,000 Protestant soldiers to settle the land that was held mostly by English landlords. This transferred almost all the power of Ireland to Protestant settlers; loyalists to the idea of a British government in the Nation of Northern Ireland. Even with this defeat of Charles I, the Catholics did not stop trying to gain their political fr...
