Would Brexit have ever happened if we weren’t an island? The idea of European unity is very appealing if, for centuries, your country has been invaded and re-invaded, as happened to most states in mainland Europe over the course of their history. In contrast, foreign occupation (as opposed to setttlement) has been a rarity in Britain, encouraging the popular (but wrong-headed) notion that WW2 in particular fostered, namely that ‘we can stand alone’. It’s a good example of a lesson from history being applied simplistically and unhistorically.
Mull on this when you listen to Mark Connelly’s compelling take on memory and the Great War in Ep 10 of unknownwarriorspod.co.uk.
This is an Understanding History podcast
If you think you know about WW1 and WW2, it’s time to think again.
Michael Baker is an Oxford-educated historian, award-winning screenwriter and creator of the Unknown Warriors podcast. About Michael
