The UK has decided to leave the EU. #Brexit trends on Twitter. After weeks of the Clash song "Should I Stay or Should I Go" going through the minds of headline readers across the English speaking world, the votes have been cast, and we are in the wake of the separation. We will see what this all means as the next two fiscal years unfold, but perhaps now we just need some grounding. History is a good place to go to search for context.
Do you know the Brits have a history of isolation from the continent? By continent I mean, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, and the others. Keep in mind, the Brits have been a major naval force in early modern history, allowing aggressive trade policies and dominance at sea. A policy of isolation in this era was of benefit to the UK, staying unentangled by the major Euro powers. Good or bad. Smaller nations in the Americas could spark up their own trade agreements with the Brits and become market competitors, with all their slave labor, and raw goods. After the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte (both times) the UK stayed out of many proposed alliances, even the vaguely worded ones requiring very little tangible obligation. After the Corsican was doubly exiled, Austria and Russia were among the major powers wrestling for monarchical stability in Europe during the Council of/at Vienna. While the continent sought a Balance of Power, the UK desired to avoid trade restrictions. The period after Napoleon I, also known as the Age of Metternich, was a time when the British empire was on the ascent. That should be taken into consideration.
Here is a look at the history of British foreign policy
An article on one of the earliest "Brexits" 286 A.D.!
Here is a video of Nirvana covering the Clash "Should I Stay of Should I Go?"
Do you know the Brits have a history of isolation from the continent? By continent I mean, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, and the others. Keep in mind, the Brits have been a major naval force in early modern history, allowing aggressive trade policies and dominance at sea. A policy of isolation in this era was of benefit to the UK, staying unentangled by the major Euro powers. Good or bad. Smaller nations in the Americas could spark up their own trade agreements with the Brits and become market competitors, with all their slave labor, and raw goods. After the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte (both times) the UK stayed out of many proposed alliances, even the vaguely worded ones requiring very little tangible obligation. After the Corsican was doubly exiled, Austria and Russia were among the major powers wrestling for monarchical stability in Europe during the Council of/at Vienna. While the continent sought a Balance of Power, the UK desired to avoid trade restrictions. The period after Napoleon I, also known as the Age of Metternich, was a time when the British empire was on the ascent. That should be taken into consideration.
Here is a look at the history of British foreign policy
An article on one of the earliest "Brexits" 286 A.D.!
Here is a video of Nirvana covering the Clash "Should I Stay of Should I Go?"
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