A disunited kingdom? : England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, 1800-1949

When did the United Kingdom come into being? What were the steps which led to its conception? Was the creation of the United Kingdom a symptom of national coherence or of disunity between the countries that made up the union?

Did a new national identity come into being after 1801, or did old allegiances and loyalties become more deeply embedded?

Is the eventual breakup of the re-constituted United Kingdom inevitable?

In seeking answers to these questions, and explaining how the United Kingdom has evolved, the author explores a number of key themes including:the steps to political union,economic change, religion, education, social welfare, war and national identity.