Modern Britain, 1750 to the Present

An introductory textbook charting a global history of modern Britain from 1750 to the present.

James Vernon (Author)

9781107686007, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 April 2017

588 pages, 84 b/w illus. 14 maps
24.6 x 17.5 x 2.8 cm, 1.17 kg

'This is an excellent new textbook which frames a narrative of British history since 1750 around the rise, fall and reinvention of liberal ideas about markets, governments and empires. It provides a timely re-assessment of modern Britain which will be of value to undergraduates. In an age in which a government minister (right-wing parliamentarian Jacob Rees-Mogg) can compose a self-congratulatory version of British history seen through the supposedly pivotal actions of various 'great white men' - and in which large numbers of the population of England have been enraptured by Brexit - James Vernon's warning that without a critical view of the past, we fall prey to the triumphalist and whitewashed versions of national history championed by politicians, is pertinent.' Charlie Lynch, Journal of Contemporary History

This wide-ranging introduction to the history of modern Britain extends from the eighteenth century to the present day. James Vernon's distinctive history is weaved around an account of the rise, fall and reinvention of liberal ideas of how markets, governments and empires should work. The history takes seriously the different experiences within the British Isles and the British Empire, and offers a global history of Britain. Instead of tracing how Britons made the modern world, Vernon shows how the world shaped the course of Britain's modern history. Richly illustrated with figures and maps, the book features textboxes (on particular people, places and sources), further reading guides, highlighted key terms and a glossary. A supplementary online package includes additional primary sources, discussion questions, and further reading suggestions, including useful links. This textbook is an essential resource for introductory courses on the history of modern Britain.

Part I. 1750–1819: The Ends of the Ancien Regime: 1. The imperial state
2. An enlightened civil society and its others
3. An imperial economy and the population question
Part II. 1819–85: Becoming Liberal and Global: 4. Reform and revolutions in government
5. An empire of free trade?
6. Practicing democracy
Part III. 1885–1931: The Crises of Liberalism: 7. The British imperium
8. The social problem
9. The rise of the mass
Part IV. 1931–76: Society Triumphant: 10. Late imperialism and social democracy
11. Social democracy and the Cold War
12. The ends of social democracy
Part V. 1976-: A New Liberalism?: 13. The neoliberal revolution and the making of homo economicus.

Subject Areas: Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], British & Irish history [HBJD1]