How does the nationalism that developed over the Berlin Wall in Germany differ from the situation in Northern Ireland with the Catholics and Protestants?
Many Germans on each side saw the Wall as an imposed dividing constraint. In NIreland, fanatics on both sides did not trust the other side, and in fact, wanted to supress them violently, if not control them.
There was never a wall between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Germany was divided artificially by countries that conquered it in WW2. The division was based upon disagreements between the occupying powers, not religious differences of the Germans.
To understand the differences between the nationalism that developed over the Berlin Wall in Germany and the situation in Northern Ireland with the Catholics and Protestants, we need to examine their historical, political, and social contexts.
1. Historical Background:
The Berlin Wall: The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) to separate East and West Berlin. It was a physical barrier erected by Soviet-controlled East Germany to prevent the movement of people from East to West Berlin. The wall symbolized the ideological division between the capitalist West and the communist East during the Cold War.
Northern Ireland: The conflict in Northern Ireland, often referred to as "The Troubles," emerged in the late 1960s and lasted for three decades. It had deep roots in historical and religious divisions between the mainly Protestant Unionist and mainly Catholic Nationalist communities. The conflict was driven by historical grievances, political disagreements, and societal divisions that constituted a complex web of issues.
2. Political and Nationalistic Ideologies:
The Berlin Wall: The nationalism that developed over the Berlin Wall primarily revolved around the desire for the reunification of Germany. Nationalism in West Germany campaigned for the dismantling of the wall and the eventual reunification of East and West Germany under democratic rule. East Germany, on the other hand, promoted its own version of nationalism, which served to maintain its communist regime.
Northern Ireland: The nationalism in Northern Ireland was a result of the sectarian division between the Catholic Nationalists, who sought reunification with the Republic of Ireland, and the Protestant Unionists, who wished to remain part of the United Kingdom. The conflict was fueled by competing nationalistic aspirations, with Nationalists advocating for an independent and unified Ireland, and Unionists supporting continued Union with Britain.
3. Social and Cultural Factors:
The Berlin Wall: The division created by the Berlin Wall was primarily political and ideological. While there were social and economic disparities between East and West Berlin, they were not closely tied to religious or cultural differences. The primary goal of nationalism here was to overcome the physical and political separation imposed by the wall.
Northern Ireland: The conflict in Northern Ireland had significant religious and cultural dimensions. Nationalist Catholics viewed themselves as Irish and sought to preserve their Irish identity, language, and Catholic culture. Unionist Protestants identified as British and aimed to maintain their British identity, Protestant traditions, and ties with the United Kingdom. Religion played a significant role in shaping nationalist identities in Northern Ireland.
In summary, the nationalism that developed over the Berlin Wall in Germany focused primarily on the reunification of the divided country, while the situation in Northern Ireland involved complex religious, historical, and political factors, with nationalists seeking either an independent Ireland or continued Union with Britain. The Berlin Wall was a symbol of political division, whereas Northern Ireland's conflict was deeply rooted in religious and cultural differences.