Protestants wanted BRITISH RULE (Unionists). Catholics wanted NATIONALISM and HOME RULE.
Gladstone had tried to pass Home Rule bills in 1886 and 1893. Both had failed. This had split his party, and hardened the resolve of the Unionists to reject Home Rule.
Ulster was the most economically advanced part of Ireland, so of course the Nationalists would want it should they ever gain independence as a country, but Ulster wanted to remain part of Britain. This meant the two groups were incompatible.
In 1905, Nationalist groups unified to form Sinn Fein (ourselves alone). They were a political party claiming Ireland was only temporarily enslaved by British rule. They wanted a Dail (Parliament) of their own. Sinn Fein believed the Nationalist MPs in Westminster were too moderate, meaning there was conflict within the Nationalist cause.
In 1912, the Commons was evenly split between Liberals and Unionists. The government relied on John Redmond and his group of 84 Nationalists to force through the 3rd Home Rule Bill. This was again suspended due to the War that began in 1914. A temporary compromise was reached: the Catholic south would get Home Rule, while the Protestant North would remain part of the UK.
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