Unionist Siege Mentality

• They were always aware that although they made up 60% of the population of Northern Ireland, that they were only 25% of the population of the whole island.
• They feared that Catholics would one day outnumber due (partly due to the fact that they had more children) and try and rejoin the Republic.
• They also feared Articles 2 and 3 of De Valera’s Constitution which claimed to rule the whole island.
• To prevent this they used gerrymandering, the property qualification and preventing them from getting jobs so that they could never gain control.
• For example, Catholics only made up 10% of RUC.
• They also had formed the RUC and the B Specials (armed police) and had a policy of internment in 1922.

Catholic Cultural Identity

• Very clear cut-GAA (members of RUC and British army excluded).
• They had the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which mirrored the Orange Order with its parades, flags.
• Catholic schools taught Irish language and Irish history.
• Other cultural events such as Irish dancing.

Protestant Cultural Identity

• Not as clear cut as nationalist as they could only look to Britain.
• One major thing they had was the Loyal Orders (Orange Order and Apprentice Boys) which held parades of Protestant victories over Catholics.
• The Orange Order was massive, had representative on the Ulster Unionist Council and from 1922-1969 all but 3 ministers belonged to the Orange Order.
• Its main parade was 12^th July which commemorated the Battle of the Boyne.