PART I
A Brief History of Ireland – Gaining Perspective

Bloody Sunday, also known as the Bogside Massacre, occurred on January 30, 1972 in Derry, North Ireland. It could be argued that the causes were many, but what really triggered the tragic event, was the North Ireland and British governments, and the British military troops, instituting Operation Demetrius and internment, in response to increasing civil rights marches influenced by the equal rights movement of African Americans in the United States, and their outcry for equality and fair treatment.
In 1969, when British troops were told to suppress nationalist activity by both the Irish Republican Army (IRA), and local citizens participating in marches or protests, they did so by internment, …show more content…
The treaty allowed for Irish political rule (within the British Commonwealth of Nations), in all but the six most northern counties of Ireland (which were comprised of primarily protestant unionists). These counties were given the option to contract out of the treaty and remain part of the United Kingdom. Collins believed the treaty was the start of independence, for what was now known as the Irish Free State, and that the northern counties could be convinced to not opt out of the treaty. However, when the treaty was ratified a year later, the six northern counties opted for British rule. This caused a permanent division of Ireland, for which Collins was blamed, and ultimately murdered. The partitioning, however, did not stop the Irish Republicans, who were obsessed with the objective of securing a united, independent Ireland by force, even if it meant violence and …show more content…
Most state schools remain predominantly Protestant, while the majority of Catholic children attend schools maintained by the Catholic Church. Today, ninety percent of children in North Ireland still attend separate faith schools. Integrated schools have been established through the voluntary efforts of parents, but the churches have not been supportive. (add a footnote here)
Employment in Northern Ireland has also remained segregated. A 1987 survey found that 80% of the workforces surveyed, consisted of a majority of one denomination. However, larger companies were less likely to be segregated, and segregation has decreased over the years.
In the 1990’s the British government used the Fair Employment Commission to introduce regulations to prohibit discrimination in employment on religious grounds. Investigating allegations of discriminatory practices in Northern Ireland businesses, has had a positive impact on eliminating segregation in the workplace, making employment one of the least segregated areas of life in modern day North