Britain

This volume offers an introduction to the fundamental social, political and economic changes that took place in Great Britain from the late-18th century to the present day. In his study of this period, Pugh explores the major factors governing and determining events and asks: how and why did Britain reach her peak as a great industrial power by 1850?; what has been the nature and extent of economic decline since the late Victorian period?; how, as violent, revolutionary change swept across Europe, did the aristocratic British political system give way to mass democracy with scarcely a protest?; and how did Britain manage to acquire a huge empire in the 19th century while investing so little in her armed forces?;Using historical research, the author presents an accessible, concise and yet wide-ranging analysis of the factors that shape Britain. His study culminates in an evaluation of Britain's dilemmas at the end of the 20th century following the collapse of consensus politics, the rejection of Thatcherism, the emergence of New Labour and the reappraisal of Britain's relationship with Europe.

ISBN 0333764536   Pages 264 ISBN13 9780333764534 (What's this?)   Weight (grammes) 348 Publisher Palgrave Macmillan   Published in Basingstoke Imprint Palgrave Macmillan   Height (mm) 216 Format Paperback   Width (mm) 137 Publication date 31 Mar 1999   Spine width (mm) 16 DEWEY 941   Academic level A / AS level, Undergraduate, General DEWEY edition DC21

British Society and Economy in the Eighteenth Century British Politics and the Political System in the Eighteenth Century The Impact of the French Revolution 1789-1815 The Industrial Revolution and the British People Reaction and Radicalism 1815-1827 The Era of Reform 1828-1841 The Condition of England Question 1832-1848 The Triumph of Free Trade Mid-Victorian Britain: Progress and Prosperity Pax Britannica Mid-Victorian Politics 1846-1865 The Era of Gladstonian Liberalism 1865-1885 The Age of Conservatism 1885-1905 British Society in Decline 1873-1902 The Working Class and Socialist Revival The New Imperialism The State and Social Reform in the Edwardian Era The Edwardian Crisis 1902-1914 The Continental Commitment 1890-1914 The Impact of the First World War The Inter-War Economic Depression The Rise of Labour 1918-1929 Political Stability in the 1930s The Era of Appeasement The Impact of the Second World War The Era of Consensus 1945-1959 The Decline of British Power 1945-1974 Affluence and Decline 1960-1974 The End of Consensus Politics 1975-1998 Bibliography Index

Pugh's [book is] broader and more general...highly recommended.' - Teaching History 'An admirably clear introduction to the period which it covers.' - L. Glassey, University of Glasgow 'Themes of chapters are particularly useful to introduce students to the main features of the period and modern British history in general.' - D.T.Johnson, University of Leicester 'A student textbook covering this 200 year period of British history in 29 short chapters of 254 pages should have wide appeal, especially as it covers main social, economic and political themes. I certainly intend to recommend for purchase for my survey course.' - Dr. J.O.Springhall, University of Ulster 'As the title says, this is a 'concise' history from 1789. As many of the students have not previously studied history this is an ideal addition to texts such as More's 'Industrial Age'.' - Mr B.Cleasby, Southampton Institute 'Covers virtually the whole of the British history syllabus except the period 1760-1789. Provides an accessible and concise interpretative framework.' - Dr. J.A.Hargreaves, Howden Clough High School

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