The Making Of The United Kingdom

The three kingdoms or 'four nations' which became the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801 have distinct, but not separate, histories. Sensitive questions of religion, local loyalty, and allegiance to the state, shaped politics within and between the four nations - and still give an edge to politics in parts of modern Britain. In 1660, the restoration of Charles II to all three of his kingdoms, was followed by an attempt to impose religious uniformity across his kingdoms. It failed. The make-up of the British Isles was too diverse. Tories, Jacobites, radicals and Whigs each had strong links to a Church or religious faction. Politics and religion could intermingle dangerously. Fear of popery was a major cause of the revolution of 1688, and at the beginning of the eighteenth century Presbyterians led Scottish opposition to a union until they were recognised as an established church. At the end of the century the architects of the act of union with Ireland hoped, finally, to resolve the 'Catholic Question', but (as it does today) constitutional change brought issues of national identity to the fore. The eighteenth century witnessed the triumph of unionism on the larger island, and the rise of nationalism and separatism across the Irish sea. "The Making of the United Kingdom" seeks to explain that crucial divergence, and gives an incisive account of the forging of Britishness the sense of a new nation. Jim Smyth is Professor of History, University of Notre Dame."

A major interpretation of the 1707 Act of Union and the making of the United Kingdom.

In Uniting the Kingdom? a group of the most distinguished historians from Britain and Ireland assemble to consider the question of British identity spanning the period from the Middle Ages to the present. Traditional chronological and regional frontiers are broken down as medievalists, early modernists and modernists debate the key issues of the British state: the conflicting historiographies, the nature of political tensions and the themes of expansion and contraction. This outstanding collection of essays forms an illuminating introduction to the most up-to-date thinking about the problems of British histories and identities.

The series ensures comprehensive coverage coverage of the Key Stage 3 Curriculum requirements through top quality, carefully researched materials. The books are particularly suitable for pupils of both average and higher ability, and are written by practising teachers, using activities based on current Key Stage 3 teaching practice. They are presented in a clear, easy-to-follow format. Selected topics can be explored in greater detail using Outline Studies (with narrative text) and Depth Studies (with a range of sources). The series provides complete support for pupils and teachers alike with each full-colour Pupils' Book supported by a fully integrated Teachers' Resource Guide. Teachers will save time in lesson preparation, as sections of the book are suitable for photocopying.

"Living Through History" is a complete Key Stage 3 course which brings out the exciting events in history. The course is available in two different editions, Core and Foundation. Every Core title in the series has a parallel Foundation edition, and both are supported by teachers' packs.

A Brief History of Great Britain narrates the history of Great Britain from the earliest times to the 21st century, covering the entire island England, Wales, and Scotland as well as associated archipelagos such as the Channel Islands, the Orkneys, and Ireland as they have influenced British history. The central story of this volume is the development of the British kingdom, including its rise and decline on the world stage. The book is built around a clear chronological political narrative while incorporating treatment of social, economic, and religious issues. Coverage includes: Early Settlements, Celts, and Romans Anglo-Saxons, Scots, and Vikings Scotland, England, and Wales Britain in the Late Middle Ages The Making of Protestant Britain Industry and Conquest Britain in the Age of Empire An Age of Crisis The Age of Consensus A House Divided.

Focusing on the history of the UK, this is one of a series, modular in structure, which offers teachers the flexibility to design their own scheme of work at Key Stage 3 of the National Curriculum. A teacher's assessment and resource pack, including photocopiable worksheets, is also available.