Of navies and navels: britain as a mental island

Abstract

In this paper, the conception of 'Great Britain' -a wholly unsatisfactory nomenclature -as an island nation is examined. In this case, a relatively small land mass acted as an originary point of departure for outward-bound Great Power projections across the open spaces of seas. This paper further explores the varied implications for nationalism within Britain of the diverse island 'roots' of the British navel and the 'routes' of British navalism. Three themes recur in the popular mobilization of British maritime island nationalism: the besieged island, the island as universal exemplar of civilization, and the navy as national protector. Some consideration is given to the significance of island symbols such as Britannia as a marker of the fate of great island nationalism.

The Importance of National Ethos in Military Victories

“…It is of no surprise, then, that military marine English bravery is inscribed deep within British art and can be vividly noticed in the urban landscape, particularly in the public monuments all over London. However, in spite of the long history of cultural glorifying of the Royal Navy as almost the life insurance of the United Kingdom, in pre-World War II Britain the air power cult was very quickly replacing the naval one; the RAF was soon to become the modern substitute for the warship fleets of sixteenth century victorious Admiral Francis Drake or early nineteenth century naval hero Horatio Nelson [55][56][57][58].…”