British History, 1660-1832: National Identity and Local Culture

by Alexander Murdoch

Overview

This is an interpretative study of the idea of Britain, examining the transformation of a sectarian concept into an imperial ideology forged during a period of sustained warfare in Europe and ever-expanding areas beyond Europe during the second half of the Eighteenth century. It seeks to examine constitutional history from a non-Anglocentric perspective and to relocate it to historiographical developments in Social History and the History of Ideas. Based on more than 25 years of research, it seeks to examine critically a concept which increasingly has come under public debate during the past decade.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780333600320
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/20/1999
Series:	British Studies Series , #21
Edition description:	1998
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.46(d)

About the Author

ALEXANDER MURDOCH is Senior Lecturer in Scottish History at the University of Edinburgh, UK.
ALEXANDER MURDOCH is Senior Lecturer in Scottish History at the University of Edinburgh, UK.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Region and Locality
The Stuart Monarchy and the Idea of Britain
James Loses the Kingdoms: The Revolutions of 1688 in their British Context
The Union of England and Scotland and the Development of the Hanoverian State
The Idea of Britain and the Creation of the First British Empire
Peripheral Nations? Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Provincial England
Cultural Politics: National Culture in a Metropolitan State
The American Revolution and the Origins of the Second British Empire
War and Nation 1793-1815: British Identity and the New Empire
Empire and its Discontents: English Nationalism and the Imperial State
Notes
Bibliography
Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

'Alexander Murdoch's book presents a series of interlocking arguments about why the idea of Britain and British history matters in the 'long eighteenth century', and is, in part, a firm, but always courteous and balanced, response to such criticisms and doubts. It is also a timely volume, given the apparently mounting public pressures for 'nationalist' histories in present-day Scotland.' - Bob Harris, Scottish Historical Review

'This little book provides a helpfully broad view of the period' - Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum, Annotated Bibliography for Georgians and Jacobites: Scotland 1715-1800

'students of the seventeenth century will find much of interest' - Barry Coward, Annual Bulletin of Historical Literature

'This is a learned, lively, thought-provoking attempt to grapple with a range of very complex issues.' - Bob Harris, Scottish Historical Review

Editorial Reviews

A history of Britain which attempts to steer a middle ground between viewing English power as Britain and the argument that essentially denies the existence of Britain as a valid category. Locating the origins of modern Britain in Oliver Cromwell's geographical conquest of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, the author traces the growth of different aspects of unity in the British archipelago. Among other topics, he discusses economics, parliamentarianism, the affect of the Imperial state, and the growth of the British working class. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknew.com)

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