Making the Imperial Nation: Colonization, Politics, and English Identity, 1660-1700

The creation of an overseas empire changed politics in England by dividing political opinion and unsettling English national identity. It also disrupted bonds in Europe and cast new questions about English relations with Scotland and Ireland. England was becoming an imperial nation before it had acquired a secure territorial empire, and the pressures of colonization exerted a decisive influence over the wars, revolutions, and party conflicts that destabilized the later Stuart kingdom.

Format: Hardback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 14 February 2023
Publisher: Yale University Press

The creation of an overseas empire had a profound impact on politics in England itself. Following the Restoration in 1660, English governments sought to consolidate and expand their territorial holdings across the globe. Stuart monarchs, such as Charles II and James VI, were enthusiastic advocates for colonial expansion, promoting schemes for settlement in America, Africa, and Asia. They tightened control over existing territories and endorsed systems of slave labor to enhance the prosperity of their colonies. However, the English empire was characterized by its precariousness, and colonial designs were often met with defeats and failed experiments.

At the same time, England was experiencing significant unrest and upheaval within its borders, recovering from the recent Civil Wars. The tensions and divisions within the kingdom were exported to its overseas enclaves, shaping colonial policies and relations. Gabriel Glickman, in his book "The Creation of an Overseas Empire," emphasizes the significance of reinstating the colonies within the domestic history of Restoration England. He demonstrates how the pursuit of empire sparked moral and ideological controversies that divided political opinion and challenged many established notions of English national identity.

Overseas ambitions disrupted the existing bonds between England and Europe, raising questions about English relations with Scotland and Ireland. Contact with non-Christian peoples and the introduction of new cultural practices and consumer habits at home further fueled vigorous debates and controversies. England was on the path to becoming an imperial nation, even before it had established a secure territorial empire. The pressures of colonization played a crucial role in shaping the wars, revolutions, and party conflicts that destabilized the later Stuart kingdom.

The creation of an overseas empire had a multifaceted impact on politics in England. It led to the consolidation of English power, the expansion of English influence, and the shaping of English national identity. However, it also brought about challenges, controversies, and instability, as England navigated the complexities of managing its colonies and dealing with the domestic repercussions of its imperial ambitions.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300255065