HIST1921: Brexit and Decolonization: Empire, Race, and Belonging in the 21st Century

Among recent political moments, Brexit stands as one of the most confusing. From the shock vote in 2016 through the fall of two Prime Ministers and two general elections, Brexit has proven to be a paralyzing development in Britain, and a car-crash spectacle for the rest of the world.In this seminar, we will work to understand Brexit not as a single event but as a part of the century-long process of decolonization. In 1900 Britain was the most powerful and important global force, claiming a quarter of the world’s land and population. By 2016, Britain was again reduced to a small island nation, more defined by its relationship to the US and Europe than its own power and importance. We will read through the history and theory of decolonization. This will lead to an understanding of how the breakup of the empire came to define contemporary Britain, and how Brexit is the culmination of that process. We will learn how to use empire, race, and nation as ways to critically read current events.

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