Nineteenth-Century Britain: A Very Short Introduction
Part of 109 in the Very Short Introductions series
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Author Description
First published as part of the best-selling The Oxford Illustrated History of Britain, Christopher Harvie and Colin Matthew's Very Short Introduction to Nineteenth-Century Britain is a sharp but subtle account of remarkable economic and social change and an even more remarkable political stability. Britain in 1789 was overwhelmingly rural, agrarian, multilingual, and almost half Celtic. By 1914, when it faced its greatest test since the defeat of Napoleon, it was largely urban and English. Christopher Harvie and Colin Matthew show the forces behind Britain's rise to its imperial zenith, and the continuing tensions within the nations and classes of the 'union state'. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the paradox of how nineteenth-century Britain achieved profound economic and social transformation while maintaining remarkable political stability. Authors Christopher Harvie and Colin Matthew, both established historians, utilize a synthesis of political, social, and economic data to argue that Britain's evolution from a rural, agrarian society to an urban, imperial power was defined by internal tensions within the 'union state'. Their framework examines the transition from the pre-industrial landscape of 1789 to the geopolitical pressures faced by the nation on the eve of 1914.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of the shift from rural, agrarian, and multilingual demographics to an urban, English-speaking population.
- Examination of the structural forces driving British imperial expansion.
- Discussion of the internal political tensions between the various nations and social classes of the United Kingdom.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide an exhaustive chronological narrative of every political event or military engagement.
- It does not offer deep biographical profiles of individual monarchs or political figures.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and readers frequently cite this work as a concise, high-level overview suitable for students and general readers seeking a foundational understanding of the period. The prose is noted for its academic density, effectively condensing complex socio-political shifts into a compact format.
Page Count:
193
Publication Date:
2000-01-01
ISBN-10:
0191606499
ISBN-13:
9780191606496
History
Social History
British History
European History
Nineteenth century
Political History
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