Ruling Britannia: A Political History of Britain 1688-1988

Designed to meet the needs of first year history students and of students from other disciplines, this book contains both a continuous narrative thread and analytical sections which often cross chronological boundaries. It covers political history, containing only as much of the economic and social dimensions as are essential to an understanding of the politics of the period. The book begins with a look at the political instability of 17th century England, the policies of James II and the invasion of William of Orange, the Revolution settlement and the Presbyterian dominance in Scotland and confiscation in Ireland. It then goes on to look at William III and Anne including coverage of the Union with Scotland, Goldophin and Marlborough, the Sacheverell affair, Harley and the Treaty of Utrecht. George I, the Jacobite risings and the South Sea Bubble and Walpole are discussed followed by George III and the emergence of Methodism, Wilkes and radicalism, relations with America and Spain and the Stamp Act. The following chapters cover Pitt's achievements and foreign policy in India, France, America and Ireland. The problems of the early 19th century with the Corn Law, Peterloo and the Six Acts, the Swing riots and the effects of the Reform Act are covered together with Britain's industrial lead and overseas expansion. Victorian political parties and government policies are then discussed plus the emergence of trade unions and the Labour party. The sections on the 20th century look at the impact of the Wars and government policies such as Labour's public ownership debate and the NHS and conclude with an assessment of more recent leaders such as Heath, Wilson, Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher.