Irish Republic - Division Independence英语国家概况.pptVIP

The Republic of Ireland Questions Does Ireland matter? If so, why and to whom? Why did it become independent (while Scotland hasn’t)? Why is Ireland so religious? Is it so religious? Why does Ireland have so much cultural influence? Image: Green, misty and spiritual? Historic Ireland Invaders Celtic tribes (no Roman invasion) Vikings (Dublin) Normans 1170 (‘Old English’) Settlers 16th C (‘New English’; Protestants) Settlers 17th C (Scottish Protestants to the North) Religious Roots of Division Potato Famine (1845-49) 8m 5m (1m died; 2m left) Irish Abroad 3m Irish citizens live abroad 10.8% of Americans claim Irish ancestry (7x the pop. of Ireland).? Emigration (to the UK US) exceeded immigration till 1996. Independence 1922 ‘Home Rule’ was promised in 1914, but delayed during WW1. (Northern Protestants argued ‘home rule is Rome rule’) The Easter Rising, 1916 (rebellion). Failed initially unpopular, but a harsh govt response reversed public opinion 1918 election; independence supporters won. UK govt negotiated. Ireland was divided into north and south: the Irish Free State was created in the south. A Celtic, Catholic Country? Many Celtic Irish surnames: e.g. O’Neil (But Smith is the 5th most common and there are also many Norman names – e.g. Fitzgerald). Catholics 88%; many schools and hospitals are also run by the church, but church attendance is only 50% (90% - 1970) Irish language study is compulsory, but few are fluent. Therefore, the post-independence emphasis on religious and language differences (with the UK) is perhaps no longer so relevant in modern Ireland Politics British-style parliamentary system (with PM) President: symbolic (similar to the Queen) European-style proportional representation (coalition governments) Economy – the new ‘Celtic Tiger’ 19th C: no Industrial Revolution. (Many Irish labourers worked in the UK) 1922-72: ‘self-sufficiency’ policy; dependent on agriculture 1972: EU member (received financial grants market access) 1