question_answer

How was the history of the development of nationalism in England different from the rest of Europe?

Answer:

Britain the development of nationalism followed a different pattern from the rest of Europe. In Britain emergence of nationalism was not the result of sudden upheaval or revolution. There was no British nation prior to the 18th century. England is inhabited by different ethnic groups such as English, Welsh, Scots or Irish. Though all these ethnic groups had their own cultural and political traditions English group steadily grew up in power, wealth and importance and extended its influence over others. In 1688, through a bloodless revolution the English parliament seized power from monarchy and became the instrument to set up a nation-state with England at its centre. By the Act of Union in 1707, Scotland was incorporated in United Kingdom. Though the Irish Catholics were against a union with England, Ireland was forcibly incorporated into the United Kingdom in 1801. Thus it is the parliamentary action and not revolution or war that was the instrument through which United Kingdom was forged into a strong democratic state.