Question

In Britain, the formation of the nation-state was not the result of a sudden upheaval or revolution. Validate the statment with relevant arguments.

Answer 1

The story of nationalism in Britain is different from other nations in Europe because it was not a result of sudden upheaval or revolution but a long process of struggle. Prior to 18 century, there was no British nation as such rather there were primary ethnic identities like English, Welsh, Scot or Irish. All these ethnic groups had own cultural-political traditions.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.The propagation of English culture over others created United Kingdom of Great Britain in the following eventful years:
1688: English Parliament seized power from the monarchy
1707: England and Scotland enter into the Act of Union
1801: Ireland was forcibly incorporated into the United Kingdom