Immigration and Exile Foreign-Language Press in the UK and in the US: Connected Histories of the 19th and 20th Centuries

Britain and the United States have a long history of harbouring foreign political exiles, who often set up periodicals that contributed to community-building and political debates. This edited volume explores the exile foreign-language press in Britain and the US, comparing how it tackled key political, linguistic, and literary issues from the 19th century to the present day. It is a significant contribution to the field of transnational periodicals and will be of interest to anyone studying the history of the Anglo-American press, the history of immigration, and cultural history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 11 January 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Britain and the United States have a rich history of hosting foreign political exiles, who have played a significant role in shaping communities and fostering political debates through the publication of periodicals. However, this diverse and complex journalism has received limited attention in the past, particularly regarding the languages in which it was produced. This comprehensive edited volume seeks to rectify this oversight by bringing together interdisciplinary case studies of the exile foreign-language press across Britain and the United States. By establishing a comparative framework, the book explores how these periodicals addressed key political, linguistic, and literary issues from the 19th century to the present day.

Building on the existing literature on the exile foreign-language press in the United States, this volume extends the study of this phenomenon in the British context. It offers fresh perspectives on how these marginalized periodicals influenced the political, economic, and social contexts that gave rise to them. This book makes a substantial contribution to the growing field of transnational periodicals and will be of interest to scholars studying the history of the Anglo-American press, the history of immigration, and cultural history.

The exile foreign-language press played a crucial role in shaping the political, cultural, and intellectual landscapes of both Britain and the United States. It provided a platform for exiles to express their views, advocate for their causes, and connect with their communities. These periodicals often challenged dominant narratives, promoted alternative ideologies, and fostered a sense of identity and belonging among marginalized groups.

The languages in which the exile foreign-language press was produced reflected the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the exiles themselves. French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Flemish, and Polish were among the languages used to publish these periodicals, reflecting the presence of significant immigrant communities in both countries. The use of these languages not only facilitated communication between exiles but also contributed to the preservation and promotion of their cultural heritage.

The content of the exile foreign-language press was diverse and multifaceted. It covered a wide range of topics, including politics, literature, art, culture, and history. Exiles used these periodicals to express their grievances against their home countries, advocate for their rights and freedoms, and promote social and political change. They also used them to disseminate their ideas and literature, fostering a sense of intellectual and cultural exchange between different communities.

Despite the significant contributions of the exile foreign-language press, it has received limited attention in the academic literature. This edited volume aims to rectify this by bringing together interdisciplinary case studies of the press in different languages and periods. The book explores how these periodicals addressed key political, linguistic, and literary issues, how they influenced public opinion, and how they contributed to the development of transnational networks and communities.

The case studies in this volume cover a wide range of periods and languages, including the 19th century, the interwar period, and the post-World War II era. They examine the publications of exiles from various countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and the United States. The studies explore the challenges faced by these periodicals, including censorship, repression, and the lack of resources. They also examine the strategies used by exiles to overcome these challenges and maintain their publications, including the use of alternative distribution channels, the collaboration with other exile communities, and the promotion of their work through public events and conferences.

In conclusion, Immigration and Exile Foreign-Language Press in the UK and in the US is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of transnational periodicals. By bringing together interdisciplinary case studies of the exile foreign-language press across Britain and the United States, the book offers fresh perspectives on how these marginalised periodicals influenced the political, economic, and social contexts that brought them into existence. The use of a comparative framework allows for a deeper understanding of the similarities and differences between these press communities, and the book makes a substantial contribution to the growing body of literature on the history of the Anglo-American press, the history of immigration, and cultural history.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350107045