How was the history of nationalism in Britain unlike the rest of Europe ?
The history of nationalism in Britain was unlike the rest of Europe in the following ways : It was not the result of wars as was in Germany but a long drawn out process. Different ethnic groups – English, Welsh, Scot and Irish had their own cultural and political traditions. But the English nation, in course of time, was able to extend it’s influence over the other nations of the islands due to her wealth, importance and power. As a result of Glorious Revolution in 168874,he English Parliament was the instrument through which a nation state with England as its center, came to be forged. The Act of Union (1707) formed ‘United Kingdom of Great Britain’. As the majority of the members of British Parliament were English members, a policy of repression was followed against catholic clans of Scottish Highlands. In Ireland too similar policy was followed. There were Catholics as well as Protestants. Catholic revolts were suppressed and ultimately in 1801, Ireland was incorporated into the United Kingdom. A new ‘British nation’ was forged through the propagation of a dominant English culture. The symbols of the new Britain – the British Flag (Union Jack), the national anthem (God Save Our Noble King), the English language – were actively promoted and the older nations survived only as subordinate partners in this union.
