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From an outside perspective, the argument over whether Ireland is to remain part of the U.K. or join the Republic of Ireland is quite often seen as a political argument. It may seem that there is Irish people living in a land owned by foreigners and want their own independence. Although this observation is true, it runs much deeper. Not only is it a political argument, but also a religious argument. Those who wish Northern Ireland to remain how it is are generally Protestant and those who want independence are generally Catholic. The history of the Irish Catholic struggle for independence is a very old and historic one. A struggle that hasn't changed much over the hundreds of years it has been going on. In the 1640s Scottish and English Protestants were very worried of the strong Catholic influence going on in Ireland. Many of the Scottish immigrants were being rejected and refused entry into Ireland. In response Oliver Cromwell, an English Lord, marched into Ireland to regain Protestant control. After his success in crushing all Irish Rebellion, The Cromwellians, "believed [they] were determined by God, and the Cromwellian effort to eradicate Catholicism from Ireland " (Canny 122). As well as believing it was their divine right to crush Irish Catholics, "The Cromwellians also decided to confiscate all Catholic estates in the country " (Canny 122). Many of these estates were given to Protestant lords and many others were given to Protestant soldiers for compensation. As Oliver Cromwell's conquest in Ireland was successful, the exerted influence of Protestantism and the destruction of Irish Culture took a very radical turn. .
William of Orange, a Protestant Prince, brought it upon himself to reenact something that had happened fifty years prior. Catholics in Ireland had once again become restless and agitated at the oppression of their Protestant rulers. The Jacobites (supporters of King James 11) fought against the William of Orange who would be the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland.