Séminaire "Empire and After" - "Colonial Identities, Ireland and Britishness, late 19th century-early 20th century", Géraldine Vaughan

Recent debates about the definition of national identities in the UK, along with discussions on the so-called secularisation of Western societies have brought to light the importance of a historical approach to the notions of Britishness and religion. This talk will explore how anti-Catholic networks developed and operated throughout Britain and its Dominions (Canada, Australia) to propagate a specific definition of Britishness. The purpose here is to highlight the importance of adopting a socio-religious perspective when discussing the development of nationalism and imperialism in late nineteenth-early twentieth century across ‘Greater Britain’.