Welsh nationalism

Welsh nationalism is the Welsh expression of nationalism, a movement that became popular in nineteenth-century Europe and gradually became a global phenomenon in the twentieth century. It generally seeks independence for Wales within the United Kingdom or outside it.

Nineteenth century

The rapid industrialisation of parts of Wales, especially Merthyr Tydfil and adjoining areas, gave rise to strong and radical Welsh working class movements which led to the Merthyr Rising of 1831, the widespread support for Chartism, and the Newport Rising of 1839.

Related Topics:
Merthyr Rising - 1831 - Chartism - Newport Rising - 1839

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

With the establishment of the Calvinistic Methodist Church nonconformity triumphed in Wales, and gradually the previously majority of conservative voices within it allied themselves with the more radical and liberal voices within the older dissenting churches of the Baptists and Congregationalists. This radicalism was exemplified by the Congregationalist minister David Rees of Llanelli who edited the radical magazine Y Diwygiwr (= The Reformer) from 1835 until 1865. But he was not a lone voice: William Rees (also known as, Gwilym Hiraethog) established the radical Yr Amserau (= The Times) in 1843, and in the same year Samuel Roberts also established another radical magazine, Y Cronicl (= The Chronicle). Both were Congregationalist pastors.

Related Topics:
Calvinistic Methodist Church - Nonconformity - Baptists - Congregationalists

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The growth of radicalism and the gradual politicisation of Welsh life did not see any successful attempt to establish a separate political vehicle for promoting Welsh nationalism. But voices did appear within the Liberal Party, which made great gains in Wales in the nineteenth century with the extension of the franchise and the tacit support of Welsh nonconformity. An intended independent movement, Cymru Fydd, established on the pattern of Young Ireland was established in 1886 but was short lived.

Related Topics:
Liberal Party - Cymru Fydd - Young Ireland

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

But for the majority in Wales the important question was not independence or self-government, but the disestablishment of the Church of England in Wales and that is where most of their energy was expended. But their non-political nationalism was strong enough to establish national institiutions such as the University of Wales in 1893, and the National Library of Wales and the National Museum of Wales in 1907.

Related Topics:
Disestablishment - University of Wales - National Library of Wales - National Museum of Wales

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~