Class and Religion in Belfast — A Historical Perspective
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 10076135 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ronold Munck (corresponding author) |
| Year | 1985 |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 241-259 |
| Publication date | 1985-04-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Contemporary History (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-0094 • E-ISSN: 1461-7250 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/002200948502000203 |
| OpenAlex | W2038540225 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
To understand the current 'troubles' in Northern Ireland, a historical perspective is essential. This is particularly true in trying to analyse the relative weight of class issues and religious divisions. Many writers in the socialist and labour traditions have pointed to episodes of working-class unity in the past notably the 1919 general strike and the 1932 unemployed workers' movement in Belfast. Against this, nationalist writers, who lay more stress on 'national' divisions as expressed in religious affiliation, point out that both episodes were followed by sectarian strife the 1920-22 and the 1935 antiCatholic pogroms respectively. The aim of this article is to clarify the two sets of historical events, showing the inextricable link between class and religion in Belfast. To do this we shall briefly sketch in the origins of the working class in Belfast, the early development of trade union activity and inter-religious strife. The 1907 dockers strike was an early example of working-class unity cutting across religious differences. We shall examine these events and the 1919 general strike and its sectarian aftermath and then move on to the main object of our analysis the events of 193235. This study is based on secondary research for the earlier period and oral evidence for the 1930s.2 Though this will not be drawn out explicitly, its conclusions are seen as directly relevant to current debates on the nature of the conflict in the north of Ireland.3
Art · Class (philosophy · Epistemology · Genealogy · Perspective (graphical · Visual arts · History · Irish and British Studies · Philosophy
| Citations per year | 0.07 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 1986 - 2021 (36) |
| Highly cited | No |