Question

discuss the stages of the formation of great britain as a nation-state? 5 marks

Answer 1

1) The formation of Great Britain nation state was not the result of a sudden upheaval, it was a long drawn out process.

2) The identities of the people in the isles were mainly ethnic - English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish.

3) After many wars, the Act of Union in 1707 established Scotland as a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. English members dominated the parliament and the Scottish culture was systematically repressed. They were forbidden from wearing their national dress and speaking in their traditional language.

4) In Ireland too, the English helped the Protestants to gain power over a majority Catholic country. All efforts by Catholics like Wolfe Tonne were suppressed.

5) Ultimately, the United Kingdom was established. Symbols such as the Union Jack (flag), national anthem and English language were promoted.

Hope this helped!

Answer 2

Explanation:

(a) In 1834, a customs union or zollverein was formed at the initiative of Prussia. It was joined by most of the German States.

(b) The aim of zollverein was to bind the Germans economically into a nation. The Union abolished the tariff barriers and reduced the number of currencies from over thirty to only two.

It helped to awaken and raise national sentiment through a fusion of individual and provincial interests. The German people realised that a free economic system was the only means to engender national feeling.