Final answer:
Before 1845, Ireland, under British control, experienced political and religious conflicts, particularly between the Protestant Unionists and the Catholic majority. The quest for home rule and independence led to significant strife, shaping Ireland's socioeconomic conditions and its eventual partition into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prior to 1845, the political and socioeconomic conditions in Ireland were heavily influenced by the relationship between the Irish Catholics and Protestants and the British rule. Ireland, being under English control since the twelfth century, faced ongoing conflicts regarding its sovereignty. The Catholic majority, often being oppressed, clashed with the Protestants, particularly in the north, who were largely in favor of maintaining the union with Britain.
During the early twentieth century, the demand for home rule escalated, which would allow Ireland to form its own parliament and manage domestic issues independently from London. However, Protestant Unionists in Northern Ireland opposed home rule due to fears of Catholic domination and potential discrimination. Thus, the prospect of home rule led to increased tensions and conflicts, including the famous Easter Rising.
In 1921, the Anglo-Irish Treaty resulted in the partitioning of the island, with the formation of the Irish Free State, later known as Ireland, while the six northern counties remained a part of the United Kingdom. However, this resolution did not satisfy many who sought complete independence, leading to internal conflicts like the civil war between the IRA and the Free State. Despite this turbulent history, the Republic of Ireland emerged and slowly integrated into the global economic community, especially with its inclusion in the European Union in the 1990s, leading to economic improvement.