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"Britain shocked the world in voting to leave the European Union, and many were left looking back for indications of, and reasons for, such a momentous decision. In this sweeping and accessible study, Black considers the social changes, economic strains, and cultural and political upheavals that brought Britain to this moment. While Britain enjoys the benefits of social services and consumer culture, it also faces serious economic and environmental challenges. Black offers alternative explanations for events of historical significance, and in doing so encourages the reader to question long-held narratives. A History of Britain journeys from the destruction left behind by World War II through to Thatcherism, the threats of the IRA, the Scottish referendum, the impact of waves of immigration to the U.K. from the European Union. This revised and updated edition brings the narrative up through the tumultous administrations of Theresa May and Boris Johnson, the spectacular flameout of Liz Truss, and the early days of Rishi Sunak's premiership"-- Provided by publisher.

"The British vote to leave the European Union stunned everyone 2016, but was it really a surprise? In this revised and updated edition of A History of Britain: 1945 Through Brexit, award-winning historian Jeremy Black expands his reexamination of modern British history to include the Brexit process, the tumultuous administrations of Theresa May and Boris Johnson, the spectacular failure of Liz Truss, and the early days of Rishi Sunak's premiership.This sweeping and engaging book traces Britain's path through the destruction left behind by World War II, Thatcherism, the threats of the IRA, the Scottish referendum, and on to the impact of waves of immigration from the European Union. A History of Britain: 1945 Through Brexit overturns many conventional interpretations of significant historical events, provides context for current developments, and encourages the reader to question why we think the way we do about Britain's past"-- Provided by publisher.

Preface: From empire to where?

Prime Ministers from 1945

Abbreviations

Environment under strain

Economy under strain

Changing society

Changing culture

The after-echoes of war, 1945-60

The politics of crisis, 1961-79

Thatcherism, 1979-90

Changing directions, 1990-

British issues, 1945-

European and world questions

Into the future

Conclusions

Notes

Selected further reading

Index

Social change > Great Britain > History > 20th century.

Social change > Great Britain > History > 21st century.

Great Britain > History > Elizabeth II, 1952-2022.

Great Britain > History > George VI, 1936-1952.

Great Britain > Politics and government > 1945-

Great Britain > Social conditions > 1945-