Social Studies notes: Theme: Conflict in Multi-ethnic societies

Chapter 4 Sec 3 Social Studies [X Ref Bonding Singapore]

A) Causes of Sri Lanka Conflict
Factor
Sinhala only policy

No citizenship rights for Indian

Tamils

Unfair university admission

criteria

Resettlement

Explanation
Sinhalese government declared Sinhala as the official language in 1956 by
Official Language Act Language test requirement for all Tamils who
wanted to work in the Civil Service had 3 years to master the
language if they failed test sacked or could not be promoted forced
to learn another races language Tamils would not be as good in Sinhala
compared to the Sinhalese Sense of unfairness more Sinhalese
would pass the language test than Tamils Tamils would lose their
jobs no income families would suffer anger towards the Sinhalese
for creating this situation Tension increases between races conflict
Indian Tamils Not given citizenship when SL became independent no
citizenship rights
[Reasons for anger of Indian Tamils towards Sinhalese raised
tension conflict between the 2 races]
a) Indian Tamils had contributed to economy of Sri Lanka by working in the
tea plantations tea was a major export for SL yet the SL government
did not reward them with citizenship Indian Tamils felt insulted tension
increased
b) no citizenship = no free education benefits, public housing
rights quality of life reduced their families face bleak future hopeless
and helpless turned their anger towards the Sinhalese tension
increased.
c) no citizenship = no voting rights + stateless no power to change the SL
government felt even more helpless Indian Tamils felt
neglected developed anger towards the Sinhalese tension increased.
University entry criterion made more stringent for Tamils Tamils have to
score higher on entry tests to make it to local universities e.g. for the
Medicine course Tamils needed a much higher mark of 250 as compared
to just 229 to enter the course effectively fewer Tamils could become
doctors hence, fewer Tamils will graduate from university could only
work in lower paying jobs Lower standard of living for the entire
community effectively the entire communitys future generations are
condemned to a bleaker future since many are denied a higher education
because of this discriminatory law against their race No
meritocracy Tamils feel angry towards the Sinhalese because of such
unfairness increased tension between the races.
Moved Sinhalese into Tamil-majority areas Areas belonged to Tamils
given to landless Sinhala peasants to grow padi/rice Tamils felt that their
territory had been invaded their property taken without
permission found this insulting Sinhalese did not respect what
belonged to the Tamils. Sinhalese moved in with their military caused the
Tamils to feel threatened Tamils felt helpless and could not stop Sinhalese
action Sinhalese also brought with them their religious leaders Buddhist

Actions by the colonial master

Britain
Historical reasons

Historical
factors/colonialism[Tamils
picked up English Language
and were educated in Colonial
Sri Lanka]

Monks Tamils are Hindu the presence of Buddhist monks meant that
the Sinhalese were also attempting to spread their religion Tamils felt
even more threatened and intimidated [Raised/increased] tension arose
between the 2 races. [ Conflict escalation of conflict/tension]
Britain colonized SL (till 1947) British favored the Tamils used English
as official language many Tamils learnt the language given positions of
responsibility (In the colonial government in SL better off than Sinhalese
during British rule Sinhalese were already unhappy with the Tamils from
the colonial times jealous of the Tamils favoured position with the British.
The discrimination by the Sinhalese towards the Tamils a reaction to the
Sinhalese wish to regain control of SL aim was to rebalance the favoured
position of the Tamils in favour of the Sinhalese After the British left,
Sinhalese wanted to regain their superiority created a series of laws than
reduced the influence of the Tamils aimed at making the Sinhalese the
more influential race in Sri Lanka and reduce the power and wealth of the
Tamils who had benefited from British Rule series of discriminatory laws
such as the Sinhala only Act and the more stringent University Admission
Criteria for Tamils led to Tamils being discriminated further tension
between the races created.
Many Tamils hired in the British colonial government before SLs
independence Sinhalese were jealous of the special position Tamils
enjoyed Tamils were proficient in English Sinhalese felt threatened by
Tamils who were holding onto government jobs and were better
educated caused Sinhalese to create laws that favoured themselves but
which discriminated against the Tamils aim was to rebalance the
privileges the Sinhalese believed the Tamils had enjoyed under colonial
rule hence the discrimination the Tamils experienced is linked to
Sinhalese aim to win back control of Sri Lanka this perception of the
Sinhalese is historical in nature and led to the Sinhalese discriminatory
laws this ensured that the Sinhalese would be the more influential race in
post-colonial Sri Lanka For example, the Sinhala only policy was aimed
at removing the Tamils from the civil service the policy itself was seen as
discriminatory by the Tamils and raised tensions conflict.

B) Consequences of Sri Lanka Conflict

Factor
Social consequence
= Impact on the people minus
economic matters
Jaffna = Northern area in Sri
Lankan.

Explanation
Tamil were driven out of their town and villages by the Sinhalese forces Aim was
areas of Tamil Tigers impossible to differentiate innocent Tamils from the LTTE m
soldiers decided to force ALL Tamils out of where they were living these areas c
including possible LTTE members Developed HSZ (High Security Zones) set up
military.
The Tamil civilians were fleeing their towns and villages and moving North to es
between the LTTE and government forces avoid being killed in the cross-fire.
[ Fleeing of the Tamils = Tamils leaving their homes/towns/villagers ]

The Tamil refugees in fleeing their homes lose most of

Their possessions, land and have no shelter over their heads lack of security + l
they are constantly on the move.

Political consequence =
Foreign intervention
Armed Conflict

Many Tamils became refugees Lived in deplorable conditions in refugee camps

elements poor nutrition and no proper shelter cramped conditions Disease
dirty conditions many died or suffered from illness and malnutrition due to the la
proper food and clean water.
= Humanitarian disaster Hence serious and devastating consequence.
Foreign intervention by India

Loss of national pride for the Sri Lanka government diminished/eroded internatio
government sovereignty violated through violation of airspace message is SL
itself and stop foreign nations from violating its territorial space.

Indians were aiding the SL Tamils interference in Sri Lankan domestic affairs wi
permission SL govt lost the respect of the international community danger of
states possible further erosion of SL governments reputation for being able to s
itself Makes it more challenging for the SL govt. to be respectfully treated in its d
other states since India has set the precedent of disrespecting SL already.

Example: Peace accord( Peace treaty btw the SL govt and the LTTE) SL forced
a militarily stronger nation SL forced to accept the presence of Indian peace-kee
soil again sovereignty of SL violated. Presence of Indian troops did not end the
embarrassed.

Armed conflict policies of the Sinhalese controlled SL government made the Ta

discriminated Voiced their unhappiness peacefully to be treated properly Tam
for Tamil areas to be considered a Federation for partial self-government rejecte
Liberation Front which later became the Tamil Tigers emerged asked for an inde
Eelam believed that since Tamils were neglected and discriminated having t
caring for themselves was the best option Sri Lankan government rejected idea
LTTE use violence to obtain their rights [Damage] innocent people were
Sinhalese soldiers/police and government officials including Tamils Led to retalia
SinhaleseMany incidents of violence Civil War started when 13 Sinhalese s
the LTTE [Outcome]infrastructure destroyed normal daily activities disrupt

Economic
{Please fill this up yourselves}

disrupted roads and bridges destroyed money needed to rebuild such damag
government finances hence lower quality of life people also get killed in fig
families suffer pain of such loss Civil war went on for almost 30 years and end
than 60,000 people died much of Sri Lanka did not develop during this time
had a devastating and damaging impact.
(1) Drop in investments Investors property may get damaged due to Terrorism
foreign investors like to come to Sri Lanka + existing ones flee Unemployment

(2) Drop in tourists Tourists do not want to be caught in cross-fire may get kill
Sri Lanka completely as a tourists destinations businesses linked to hospitality w

Weighing

(3) Unemployment = Loss of jobs Loss of income Cannot support family L

poverty standard of living drops.
Criteria = damage is not easily reversed

In conclusion, the most serious consequence of the Sri Lankan conflict is the politic
armed conflict as the outcome of armed conflict is the loss of thousands of lives wh
loss of a family member is permanent and irreplaceable. However, while the eco
unemployment because of loss of tourism and investors are serious, it can be reve
is over and things return to peace. Also, the social consequence of being a sufferin
serious, is largely reversible once the war ends and the refugees return to their res

C) Causes of Northern Ireland Conflict

Factor
Historical [ Lost of Fertile
lands; Medieval Penal
Laws; View of the
Protestants as descendants
of the English Invaders ]

Explanation
Start point of NI conflict is historical 12th century English who were
Protestants invaded Ireland which was Catholic The Protestants in
Northern Ireland are the descendants of the original British invaders. The
past actions of the English Protestants were not done in favour of the Irish
who are Catholics.
a) The invading English stole the fertile land + drove the Irish off the
land the Irish Catholics fled to the South Those who stayed behind in
the North were left with the less fertile land Irish Catholics found
themselves driven off their ancestral land because of poor farmland to
grow crops to make a living Catholics became poorer standard of
living fell angry towards the English Protestants and their descendants.
b) Protestant rulers came up with the Medieval laws that prevented the
Catholics from owning land or having higher education these laws
designed to prevent the Catholics from being economically
independent The catholic community were being made poor by these
laws created by the Protestants. The medieval laws also prevented the
Catholics from voting this led to the Catholics being unable change the
policies since they could not vote the protestants out it was these laws
created centuries earlier that created a legacy of discrimination against the
Catholics and which made generations of Catholics hate Protestants thus
the root cause of the conflict between the 2 communities stretches back into
history.

Divided loyalties

No voting rights for

Catholics

c) Finally, the Irish Catholics view the Protestants as the descendants of the
original English invaders who took away their land and country and
artificially divided Ireland into Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
Hence, the loyalties of the Catholics are towards the people of the Republic
of Ireland and they yearn for reunification without the wish for a common
destiny and future, the Catholics and Protestants are doomed to be divided
and distrustful of each other.
The Protestants loyal to Britain as the English are their ancestors and
wanted NI to remain as part of Britain. Catholics wanted to break away from
the UK and rejoin Northern Ireland, as the people in NI and ROI are from
the same heritage but separated by the English invasion.
Both communities were unable to see a common future for NI together
deep differences on how to move NI forward politically Both sides
distrusted each anothers political intentions and motives no common
goal for the future of NI difficult to cooperate and trust each other led
to tension between Catholics and Protestants.
Catholics up till 1969 were not allowed to vote Only citizens of NI who
owned their own homes and businesses could vote and those who owned
larger businesses could get more votes this system benefited the
Protestants who were wealthier and the poorer Catholic community ended

Unfair allocation of
housing

Separation of
communities lack of
opportunities for social
interaction.

Unequal employment
opportunities

up with fewer votes This unfair electoral system led many Catholics to
dislike the Protestants for creating these laws to govern the number of votes
per person This was in favour of the Protestants and guaranteed that the
Protestants would be more likely to stay in power in NI and the Catholics
would be less likely to vote in a government that would treat them more
fairly sense of injustice and being trapped by the system led the
Catholics to hate the Protestants even more.
The city councils were controlled by the Protestants allocated the
housing to citizens even though Catholic families were larger, they were
given smaller homes + made of inferior material + Catholics had to wait
longer for their homes than Protestants viewed as discrimination by the
Catholics caused the Catholics to not have proper housing As most
Catholics were poorer, they depended on government housing yet were
blocked from gaining fair access to such housing Catholic quality of life
was negatively affected and this made the Catholics dislike the Protestants
increasing the tension between the 2 communities.
Residential areas
The Catholics and the Protestants live in separate neighborhoods. This
causes them to have minimal interaction with one another. This causes
them to have a lack of understanding as they have little opportunity to
interact and form friendships. Hence, the 2 communities remain physically
separated with little opportunity for socializing. Thus when there are any
misunderstandings between the 2 communities, there is little chance for the
2 sides to mediate as they have little understanding of none another.
Separate school system
Also, there are separate school systems in NI and this ensures that the 2
communities did not get much chance to interact with one another from a
young age. Protestant pupils attended British schools which focus on British
sports, history while the catholic schools focus on Irish sports and heritage.
Thus from young, the 2 communities see themselves as different and thus
this leads a lack of unity in NI. Thus the young of both sides never have a
chance to interact and hence from young they view the other community
with suspicion as there is little chance friendship or understanding to
develop between the 2 communities.
The Catholics were given the same chances for employment as the
protestants. The Catholics were discriminate against in getting jobs in the
government that was controlled by the protestants. Many of the large
businesses in NI were also owned by Protestants and hence they preferred
not to employ Catholics. Thus Catholics felt that they were not able to earn a
living and take care of their families. As a result many catholic families were
poor and had a poor quality of life not because the Catholics were less
educated or able but simply because they were discriminated due to their
religion. This made them angry with the Protestants as they controlled the
government and the large businesses which refused to employ Catholics
and this made the Catholic families suffer financially. Hence this caused
Catholics to dislike the Protestants and thus raise tension between
Catholics and Protestants.

Bloody Sunday

Weighing for cause of NI

conflict Which is the
main cause of conflict?

Bloody Sunday (1972) British troops which had been sent to keep the
peace between the Catholics and protestants opened fired on peaceful
Catholic protestors on a civil rights march Catholic civilians were
killed this angered the Catholics as the British Troops were supposed to
be neutral and to keep the peace but ended up killing un armed
Catholics this was the last straw for the Catholics felt that peaceful
approach to fight for their civil rights was not effective Catholics
embraced the Irish Republican Army ( IRA) this led to more Catholics
endorsing violence and joining in the IRA reduced likelihood for peaceful
solution to the tension between the 2 communities Bloody Sunday is the
modern escalation of the Northern Ireland conflict.
In conclusion, the main cause of conflict is divided loyalties because as
long as the Protestants and the Catholics cannot see eye to eye on matters
on the political future of Northern Ireland because of their divided loyalties, it
will be impossible for either side to agree with one another on other matters
and the likelihood of having tensions and suspicion will be higher OR
Historical factors as this is the root cause of the hatred between the 2
communities.

D) Consequences of NI conflict
The consequences of the NI conflict are solely negative. How far do you agree?
Explain.

Stand: I agree to a small extent as there was also a positive consequence.

Factor
Explanation
Social (-)
Some of the consequences were indeed negative
Social segregation Catholics and Protestants stayed in different residential areas. Sep
never had a chance to interact from young with members of the other community th
comfort distrust and fear abounds. The 2 communities also separated in school and ed
school systems.
Economic decline investors stayed away because of the unrest and the civil war few
Economic (-)
tourists businesses declined fewer jobs unemployment no income or low inco
living in NI falls for both Catholics and Protestants.
Political Reform (+)
However, there were positive political outcomes as well such as the signing of the peace
the Catholics and the Protestants and the laying down of the arms by the IRA.
This came about because the NI conflict was violent and there was pressure on the Britis
international community to make sure that a peaceful outcome between the IRA and the N
achieved by having a peace agreement between both the Catholics and the Protestants.

As a result of the conflict, Catholics today enjoy better treatment by the Protestants as the
attention to the plight of the Catholics and the discrimination they were facing because of
attention forced the NI government and the British government to gradually seek ways to
better and give them equality. Hence, while the conflict created harm, it also led to fairer t
Catholics eventually.