Is Great Britain England?
Britain and England are often used interchangeably, especially by visitors from the Americas and Asia, making most English people incredibly irritated. Despite being British, they do not all come from England itself. England is a large part of the United Kingdom (UK), along with Wales in the west and Scotland in the north. Ireland, the fourth country, is no longer part of the UK. In this article, we will discuss the difference between Great Britain and England, and explore why it is considered contentious in the UK.
History of Great Britain and England
At the beginning of the 16th century, the English Empire largely accounted for the modern United Kingdom. Throughout history, England was a major European power, attempting to conquer large parts of Scotland in the 16th century, and consequently creating the United Kingdom from 1707 until 1922.
It wasn’t until 1922 when the Irish Free State, a self-governed Dominion of the British Empire, was created that Great Britain was used instead of England. This was because England was considered too closely associated with the English people, or those from a specifically English heritage. As a result, the term Great Britain was used instead to denote all of the countries that made up the UK. This term was first used by King James I of England in 1604, who declared himself King of Great Britain.
What Is Great Britain?
Great Britain is a large island in the north Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of mainland Europe. It is divided into three distinct countries, England, Scotland and Wales who each remain autonomous within the United Kingdom, each having developed their own national identities and traditions. In addition to the shared heritage of the English language and British culture, each state has its own national sports, ceremonial events, flags and music.
What Is England?
England is a country within the United Kingdom, located on the island of Great Britain. It is the largest country of the four that make up the UK, and takes up the majority of the landmass with its southern coastline facing the English Channel and the North Sea. England is host to some of the UK’s largest and most populated cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds. It is the world’s leading financial centre and is recognised as one of the leading holiday destinations in the world.
How Might People Use the Terms Interchangeably?
The term ‘England’ is often used to describe Great Britain and the whole of the UK, as England is the largest country and usually has the most influence in the affairs of the UK. Furthermore, it is the name of the country that most people associate with, rather than Great Britain or the UK. This means that people will often use ‘England’ when referring to the whole of the UK, and vice versa. This, however, does bring about some controversy around the use of the term.
Controversy Surrounding Use of the Terms
Despite the fact that people often use the terms England and Great Britain interchangeably, it is considered quite contentious and is met with resistance by many of the people who live within the different countries. This is because of the cultural differences between England and the other countries; many Scottish and Welsh people are proud of their heritage and traditions and do not want them to be overlooked or undervalued due to the ‘English-centric’ nature of the term England.
Political Implications of Using the Terms Incorrectly?
Politically, the terms can also be used to undervalue other countries within the UK. For example, it can be used to paint England as a superior country, ignoring the many other cultures that make up the UK. As a result, it is generally thought that Great Britain should be used to describe the whole of the UK rather than England, not only to avoid any potential discomfort but to also demonstrate respect to the other three nations.
Rise of National Identities
The use of the terms Great Britain and England does also reflect the changing beurocratic discourse of identifying different parts of the country. With the rise of the Scottish and Welsh nationalist movements, the term ‘Great Britain’ has become more prevalent as a way of highlighting the national identities of each of the individual countries, in order to negate England’s ‘dominance’.
Similarities and Differences Between Great Britain and England
There is a lot of similarity between the two, mainly due to them both being part of the same island; Great Britain and England are both European countries with links to the British Empire, and so they share a lot in terms of language, culture and social structures. In terms of difference, England is primarily a nation within Great Britain, while Great Britain combines all of the islands which make up the UK.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the terms Great Britain and England are often used interchangeably, it’s important to remember that they have very different meanings and connotations, and thus should not be used to refer to one another. Great Britain should be used when referring to the mainland of the UK, while England usually reserved for referencing one particular country. It is important to respectfully recognise the national identities and differences between the countries, in order to appreciate and understand the history and culture different regions of the UK.
