Redefining loyalism, radicalism and national identity

<p>Lancashire redefined popular politics and national identity in its own image. The perceived threat of invasion by Napoleon, together with the Irish Rebellion, sustained the evolution in extra-parliamentary politics that had begun in reaction to the American and French revolutions. The mean...

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Main Authors: Navickas, K, Navickas, Katrina
Other Authors: Stevenson, J
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: 2005
Subjects:
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author Navickas, K
Navickas, Katrina
author2 Stevenson, J
author_facet Stevenson, J
Navickas, K
Navickas, Katrina
author_sort Navickas, K
collection OXFORD
description <p>Lancashire redefined popular politics and national identity in its own image. The perceived threat of invasion by Napoleon, together with the Irish Rebellion, sustained the evolution in extra-parliamentary politics that had begun in reaction to the American and French revolutions. The meanings and principles of 'radicalism,' 'loyalism' and 'Britain' continued to be debated and contested in 1798-1812. Elite loyalism became even more exclusive, developing into the Orange movement. Radicals remained silent until the Napoleonic invasion scares had faded and opportunities arose for renewed vocal criticisms of government foreign and economic policy from 1806. Conflicts re- emerged between radicals and loyalists in the middle classes and gentry which provided the training for a new generation of postwar radical leaders and the popularity of the free trade campaign.</p> <p>Inhabitants of Lancashire felt British in reaction to the French and Irish, but it was a Lancashire Britishness. Political identities and actions followed national patterns of events but were always marked with a regional stamp. This was in part because most political movements were held together by a shared 'sense of place' rather than vague notions of class-consciousness or shared class identity. A sense of place manifested itself in the regional organisation of strikes, petitions and the Orange institution. Furthermore, it could also entail a common bitter or defiant provincialism against the government or monarchy. In an atmosphere of anti-corruption and a growing desire for peace, this provincial frustration ironically brought professed loyalists closer to radicalism in campaigns against the Orders in Council and other government policies. Provincialism and other elements of regional identity ensured that any ideas of Britishness were tempered through local concerns and allegiances, but an identity with the nation that was not an acquiescent acceptance of national tropes and stereotypes. Lancashire Britishness was commercial, manufacturing, and above all, independent from homogenisation and the impositions of government.</p>
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spelling oxford-uuid:b5cdcdf5-848f-4407-a36b-07ab687fa44b2022-03-27T04:36:22ZRedefining loyalism, radicalism and national identityThesishttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_db06uuid:b5cdcdf5-848f-4407-a36b-07ab687fa44bHistoryGreat BritainNational securityOrangemenPolitical cultureNationalismPolitics and governmentRadicalismLancashireLancashire (England)England1789-1820EnglishPolonsky Theses Digitisation Project2005Navickas, KNavickas, KatrinaStevenson, J<p>Lancashire redefined popular politics and national identity in its own image. The perceived threat of invasion by Napoleon, together with the Irish Rebellion, sustained the evolution in extra-parliamentary politics that had begun in reaction to the American and French revolutions. The meanings and principles of 'radicalism,' 'loyalism' and 'Britain' continued to be debated and contested in 1798-1812. Elite loyalism became even more exclusive, developing into the Orange movement. Radicals remained silent until the Napoleonic invasion scares had faded and opportunities arose for renewed vocal criticisms of government foreign and economic policy from 1806. Conflicts re- emerged between radicals and loyalists in the middle classes and gentry which provided the training for a new generation of postwar radical leaders and the popularity of the free trade campaign.</p> <p>Inhabitants of Lancashire felt British in reaction to the French and Irish, but it was a Lancashire Britishness. Political identities and actions followed national patterns of events but were always marked with a regional stamp. This was in part because most political movements were held together by a shared 'sense of place' rather than vague notions of class-consciousness or shared class identity. A sense of place manifested itself in the regional organisation of strikes, petitions and the Orange institution. Furthermore, it could also entail a common bitter or defiant provincialism against the government or monarchy. In an atmosphere of anti-corruption and a growing desire for peace, this provincial frustration ironically brought professed loyalists closer to radicalism in campaigns against the Orders in Council and other government policies. Provincialism and other elements of regional identity ensured that any ideas of Britishness were tempered through local concerns and allegiances, but an identity with the nation that was not an acquiescent acceptance of national tropes and stereotypes. Lancashire Britishness was commercial, manufacturing, and above all, independent from homogenisation and the impositions of government.</p>
spellingShingle History
Great Britain
National security
Orangemen
Political culture
Nationalism
Politics and government
Radicalism
Lancashire
Lancashire (England)
England
1789-1820
Navickas, K
Navickas, Katrina
Redefining loyalism, radicalism and national identity
title Redefining loyalism, radicalism and national identity
title_full Redefining loyalism, radicalism and national identity
title_fullStr Redefining loyalism, radicalism and national identity
title_full_unstemmed Redefining loyalism, radicalism and national identity
title_short Redefining loyalism, radicalism and national identity
title_sort redefining loyalism radicalism and national identity
topic History
Great Britain
National security
Orangemen
Political culture
Nationalism
Politics and government
Radicalism
Lancashire
Lancashire (England)
England
1789-1820
work_keys_str_mv AT navickask redefiningloyalismradicalismandnationalidentity
AT navickaskatrina redefiningloyalismradicalismandnationalidentity