In Britain, the formation of the nation-state was not the result of a sudden upheaval or revolution. It was the result of a long-drawn-out process.There was no British nation prior to the eighteenth century. All the ethnic groups had their owncultural and political traditions. But as the English nation steadily grew in wealth, importanceand power, it extended influence over other nations of the island.The English parliament, which had seized power from the monarchy in 1688 at the end of aprotracted conflict, was the instrument through which a nation-state, with England at its centre,came to be forged. The Act of Union (1707) between England and Scotland that resulted inthe formation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain meant, in effect, that England was ableto impose its influence on Scotland. The British parliament was henceforth dominated by itsEnglish members. The growth of a British identity meant that Scotlands distinctive culture andpolitical institutions were systematically suppressed.Ireland suffered a similar fate. It was a country deeply divided between Catholics andProtestants. The English helped the Protestants of Ireland to establish their dominance over alargely Catholic country. Catholic revolts against British dominance were suppressed. At last... English was made official language nd Britain was unified.

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