Question

Why was the nationalism in britain is unlike the rest of europe

Answer 1

No British Nation was in existence before the 18th century. Different ethnic groups of people were there in the British Isles such as English, Welsh, Scot and Irish. Each of these ethnic groups had their own cultural and political traditions. On the other hand, the rest of Europe had no such arrangements.


Nationalism in Britain was not the result of a sudden upheaval or revolution. It was due to a long drawn process. The English nation possessed the other three nations of the islands through a steady growth in property wealth and power. Besides this, the English language, British Flag and National Anthem were promoted as national symbols to identify the nationality of the nation.

The British Parliament became the chief instrument to curb the power of the monarchy in 1688 through a bloodless revolution. The Act of Union (1707) between England and Scotland formed the United Kingdom of Great Britain. With the advent of English power the English removed the cultural, political institutions of Scotland forcefully and the cots were banned from speaking the Gaelic language and put on the national dress.

There were two classes of the people in Ireland; Catholics and Protestants. The English liked the Protestants in comparison to Catholics. The English with the help of the Protestants suppressed the Catholics and forcibly united Ireland with the United Kingdom in 1801.

The symbols of the new Britain-the National Flag (Union Jack), the National Anthem (God save our Noble king) and the English language were actively promoted. Scotland and Ireland became the subordinate partners of the United Kingdom.

Answer 2

Answer:

The history of nationalism in Britain was unlike the rest of Europe because:

In Britain, the formation of the nation-state was not the result of a sudden upheaval or revolution.

The primary identities of the people who inhabited the British Isles were ethnic ones - such as English, Welsh, Scot or Irish.

The English parliament, which had seized power from the monarchy in 1688 at the end of a protracted conflict, was the instrument through which a nation state, with England at its centre, came to be forged.

The Act of Union (1707) between England and Scotland resulted in the formation of the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain' meant that England was able to impose its influence on Scotland. Scotland's distinctive culture and political institutions were systematically suppressed.

The Scottish Highlanders were forbidden to speak their Gaelic language or wear their national dress and large numbers were forcibly driven out of their homeland.

The English helped the Protestants of Ireland to establish their dominance over a largely Catholic country. Catholic revolts against British dominance were suppressed. Ireland was forcibly incorporated into the United Kingdom in 1801.

The symbols of the new Britain - the British flag, the national anthem, the English language were actively promoted and the older nations survived only as subordinate partners in this union.