Unionists and Nationalists in Northern Ireland

... There have been many conflicts between the Unionists and Nationalists in Northern Ireland for hundreds of years. The reason for these problems is the complex history there is between the two different political groups. Both groups want different things; the Unionists want to keep Northern Ireland separate from the Irish Republic and linked to Britain, whereas the Nationalists want a united Ireland, independent from British rule. The two groups are also of different religion, the Unionists are mainly Protestants but the Nationalists tend to be Catholics. Hatred and suspicion have been passed down through the generations and with all people (not just the Irish) it takes a very long time for adjustment. There are many reasons for the Unionists to mistrust the Nationalists, many of them short-term and many of them long-term causes. The unionists are mainly Protestants and although they are in the minority in Ireland they own

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