Complex sentence: A strong rural vote in favour of Canada overwhelmed the pro-independence vote in the capital of St. John's.Catholics (mostly of Irish descent) in the city desired independence to protect their parochial schools, leading to a Protestant backlash in rural areas.
Split into simpler sentences: A strong rural vote in favour of Canada overwhelmed the pro-independence vote in the capital of St. John's. The Irish Catholics in the city desired independence in order to protect their parochial schools, leading to a Protestant backlash in rural areas.