Throughout history, since the 12th century when Anglo-Norman troops conquered Ireland, it has been torn apart by political and religious disagreements. England has ruled Ireland for most of its history, but in 1919, after the War of Independence, the country of Ireland was split into two sections. These two areas were the North, where the Protestants lived, and the South where the Catholics lived. Although the two regions were separated, they still disputed amongst each other for about fifty years and the conflict still continues. The conflict arose from the two different beliefs that the Protestants (Unionists) and the Catholics (Nationalists) could not agree on. The Protestants believed in keeping the union with Great Britain, whereas, the Catholics clung to their religion as a mark of political identity and wanted Ireland to maintain independence from Great Britain. The Catholics of Ireland were viewed as possible traders to Northern Ireland and therefore became majorly discriminated against. Protestants fixed elections to favor Protestants and made sure that the Catholics could not be voted in to Parliament. This act was called "Gerrymandering". Since the Protestants fixed the elections they were given all the political power and took control over Catholic areas. As a result Catholics lost many job oppurtunities to Protestants. Because the Catholics couldn't get jobs they were not able to send their children to the best schools. Catholic Children did not learn anything about their religion, Catholicism, instead they were taught about Protestant history. Catholics lived in the worst homes and many died of malnutrition. In the 1960's the Irish saw the Black Civil Rights Movement as well as the Student Rallies on Television, which helped inspire the Catholics to keep fighting for their rights. Though the disputes have calmed down there is still political division in Northern Ireland. The History of Blacks in America and the Civil Rights Movement can be compared to the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Movement. The African-Americans were discriminated against by the whites and segregated in America throughout history. Segregation between the blacks and whites was developed because there were no more slaves after the Civil War and the whites thought they were superior. Just like the Irish Catholics, the Blacks were not allowed into certain restaurants and were prohibited from sending their kids to certain schools. Some states, such as Mississippi, even banned blacks from buying or renting any property. African-Americans and Irish Catholics alike were denied the teaching of their culture and religion in the schools. In the history of both the African-Americans and Irish Catholics, the desire for their equality evolved into a Civil Rights Movement, both of which occurred in the 1960's. Common factors between the two Movements were marching through streets, student demonstrations and most importantly, violence. The Irish Catholics and African-Americans are two different cultures with a historical resemblance of being unfairly discriminated against in their own country. Both these groups endured a lack of voice in politics, poor education, and segregation. These two repressed cultures both endured a similiar Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's in order to achieve justice and dignity in their lives.
