The Expansion of England: Essays on Race, Ethnicity and Cultural History

The organized study of history began in Britain when the Empire was at its height. Belief in the destiny of imperial England profoundly shaped the imagination of the first generation of professional historians. But with the Empire ended, do these mental habits still haunt historical explanation? Drawing on postcolonial theory in a lively mix of historical and theoretical chapters, The Expansion of England explores the history of the British Empire and the practice of historical enquiry itself. There are essays on Asia, Australasia, the West Indies, South Africa and Britain. Examining the sexual, racial and ethnic identities shaping the experiences of English men and women in the nineteenth century, the authors argue that habits of thought forged in the Empire still give meaning to English identities today.

Confronting the contemporary poststructuralist debate from the perspective of cultural historiography, The Expansion of England presents an historical study of race and ethnicity. Specifically, it provides an account, both theoretical and applied, of the combination of sexual, racial and ethnic identities, underpinning and shaping the experiences of English men and women in the nineteenth century. Although very accessible, this book will be received seriously by both theorists and historians.

Contributors: William Schwarz, Couze Venn, Bob Chase, Catherine Hall, Gwyneth Roberts, Kenneth Parker and Andrew Blake.

This book presents an historical study of race and ethnicity. It provides an account, both theoretical and applied, of the combination of sexual, racial and ethnic identities underpinning & shaping the experiences of men and women in the 19th century Drawing on postcolonial theory in a lively mix of historical and theoretical chapters, this volume explores the history of the British Empire and the practice of historical enquiry itself. It contribu tes to key debates in social and cultural history As the empire dies and England's decline continues apace, the inner forms of English culture are thrown into sharper relief.