In its early phase it reflected broad Catholic opinion which wanted acceptance as full citizens of the North and had some liberal Unionist support.
Unionist support for the agreement has been waning, however, with grass roots Protestants saying that the peace deal has disproportionately benefited Catholics and sold out their interests.
Unionist leader Edward Carson, promised immediate Unionist support for the war effort.
The passing of the act had been part of the price for Liberal Unionist support for Lord Salisbury's minority Conservative administration.
Salisbury formed his second government - a minority Conservative government with Liberal Unionist support.
Unionist support by many was further eroded for many Virginians by Lincoln's March 4 First Inaugural address which they felt was "argumentative, if not defiant.
There were minority views everywhere and the upland plateau regions in every state had strongholds of Unionist support, especially western Virginia and eastern Tennessee.
Whitty received some Unionist support, while Hamill received separatist support.
Mr. Blair was also free of the constraints placed on Mr. Major by his need of Unionist support in Parliament to maintain a governing majority.
Only a year after the 1955 triumph, one event signalled the unravelling of the thread that had until then united Scottish Unionist support: the humiliation of the 1956 Suez Crisis.