Sorry sleepy for my error....assumptions tend to make us look like such asses, don't they?
Wales hhhmmm?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/nation/pages/new_nation02.shtml
A new nation? - part two
Protest |
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http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/8366/welsh.html
Wales
Like the Saami, the Welsh have pushed for cultural rights to the point that Cymraeg (Welsh) is now the language of instruction in a large number of northern schools. But this cultural distinctiveness has not lent itself to an ongoing push for greater political independence. Through civil disobedience, small militant groups, such as Y Gweriniaethwyr (the Free Wales Army) and the Workers' Army of the Welsh Republic, have continued to wage their own little wars against the English since a resurgence in Welsh nationalism in the early 1950s. Between 1979 and 1984, over 100 violent incidents, primarily arson and bomb attacks, were attributed to just one group, the Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru, or Movement for the Defense of Wales.(11) The current nationalist party was formed in 1925 when several self-government groups joined to form Plaid Cymru, which continues to hold seats in Parliament.
When voting information is taken into account, cultural nationalism seems to have cooled off since the 80's. This is most likely due to the large immigration of English speakers into Wales. Cultural aspects, such as language are no longer an integral part of Welsh identity, as recent surveys have shown, and thus are not prioritized in political behavior. Plaid Cymru has lost much of its support to the Labour Party. As Balsom, Madgwick , and Van Mechelen said, "Welsh identity is widespread but falls short of nationalism in the strict sense. .Even among the most intensely Welsh there is no consistent strong commitment to Plaid Cymru, to devolution or to self-government." Those people with high cultural attachment, the Cymrics, are not the backbone of Welsh nationalism as they once had been.(12)
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http://www.shef.ac.uk/~surc/politics/Welsh_Nationalism.html
Welsh Nationalism
Welsh Nationalism has developed significantly over the last two centuries. The origins of Wales date back to Germanic invasions after the collapse of the Roman Empire, Celtic kingdoms in the region, joined together to fight off the invading tribes. Due to its rugged landscape, Wales never became one political unit, before being amalgamated into the English political system in 1536.
However, the cultural and religious traits left by the Celtic kingdoms has had a lasting effect and created a regional distinctiveness. Up until the late 19 th century, most of the Welsh population spoke a Celtic language. This was however eroded through the education of the English language.
During the nineteenth and twentieth century, Wales experienced a cultural and religious revival. The Nonconformist churches penetrated into Wales, and from the mid-1800s, the call for disestablishment of the Anglican Church gathered pace, up until 1920 when the Welsh demand was finally met. The promotion of the Welsh language began around 1885 with the establishment of the first Welsh Language Society. As the Twentieth century progressed, schools began to teach in Welsh, especially in the Northwest of the country. By the turn of the twentieth century, a special Welsh language TV station had been set up and Welsh had been firmly integrated into the school curriculum up to the GCSE level.
The Welsh Nationalist movements also came into being during the late nineteenth century renaissance. Cymru Fydd (Young Wales) was set up in 1886, the main objective being self-government for Wales. This wasn?t a particularly successful movement. Its successor was the National Party (to become known as Plaid Cymru) which was set up in 1925. It had similar principles to Cymru Fydd. Dominion status for Wales was its basic aim. The group initially proposed to not stand for Westminster elections, however this was rejected. Welsh nationalists on the whole differ to their Scottish counterparts on the basic principle of the United Kingdom. The SNP today, still want a fully independent Scotland today, whereas Plaid Cymru (their views have changed) believe in self-governance but not complete independence. Many Welsh Nationalists believe that Wales would be economically weaker outside the union, unlike the SNP.
From the 1950s, the call for devolution in Wales grew in popularity The general Conservative dominance of Westminster last century was not representative of the Welsh people. The Welsh Office set up in 1965 was not enough. A referendum was held in the 1970s resulting in a no for devolution. However in 1997, Wales voted (only half of Wales voted and the majority vote was only 50.3%) for devolution. A Welsh Assembly has been created with significant political powers. It does not have the tax raising ability of the Scottish Parliament, which is a bone of contention amongst Welsh Nationalists.
Welsh Nationalism
Welsh Nationalism has developed significantly over the last two centuries. The origins of Wales date back to Germanic invasions after the collapse of the Roman Empire, Celtic kingdoms in the region, joined together to fight off the invading tribes. Due to its rugged landscape, Wales never became one political unit, before being amalgamated into the English political system in 1536.
However, the cultural and religious traits left by the Celtic kingdoms has had a lasting effect and created a regional distinctiveness. Up until the late 19 th century, most of the Welsh population spoke a Celtic language. This was however eroded through the education of the English language.
During the nineteenth and twentieth century, Wales experienced a cultural and religious revival. The Nonconformist churches penetrated into Wales, and from the mid-1800s, the call for disestablishment of the Anglican Church gathered pace, up until 1920 when the Welsh demand was finally met. The promotion of the Welsh language began around 1885 with the establishment of the first Welsh Language Society. As the Twentieth century progressed, schools began to teach in Welsh, especially in the Northwest of the country. By the turn of the twentieth century, a special Welsh language TV station had been set up and Welsh had been firmly integrated into the school curriculum up to the GCSE level.
The Welsh Nationalist movements also came into being during the late nineteenth century renaissance. Cymru Fydd (Young Wales) was set up in 1886, the main objective being self-government for Wales. This wasn?t a particularly successful movement. Its successor was the National Party (to become known as Plaid Cymru) which was set up in 1925. It had similar principles to Cymru Fydd. Dominion status for Wales was its basic aim. The group initially proposed to not stand for Westminster elections, however this was rejected. Welsh nationalists on the whole differ to their Scottish counterparts on the basic principle of the United Kingdom. The SNP today, still want a fully independent Scotland today, whereas Plaid Cymru (their views have changed) believe in self-governance but not complete independence. Many Welsh Nationalists believe that Wales would be economically weaker outside the union, unlike the SNP.
From the 1950s, the call for devolution in Wales grew in popularity The general Conservative dominance of Westminster last century was not representative of the Welsh people. The Welsh Office set up in 1965 was not enough. A referendum was held in the 1970s resulting in a no for devolution. However in 1997, Wales voted (only half of Wales voted and the majority vote was only 50.3%) for devolution. A Welsh Assembly has been created with significant political powers. It does not have the tax raising ability of the Scottish Parliament, which is a bone of contention amongst Welsh Nationalists.
Although Welsh Nationalism is a significant theme within Wales, it has failed to be hugely effective. This is due to the geographical problems. The East is far more anglicised than the west. The South is the industrial, Labour heartland where English is the predominant language. It is only really in the Northwest, where Welsh Nationalism is strong. The problem here is that, it is the least populated area. Welsh Nationalism although important, has never created such enthusiasm in comparison to the SNP in Scotland. This situation however may change, and so it has significant role to play within Welsh and British politics. This is due to the geographical problems. The East is far more anglicised than the west. The South is the industrial, Labour heartland where English is the predominant language. It is only really in the Northwest, where Welsh Nationalism is strong. The problem here is that, it is the least populated area. Welsh Nationalism although important, has never created such enthusiasm in comparison to the SNP in Scotland. This situation however may change, and so it has significant role to play within Welsh and British politics.
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Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
(Land of My Fathers)The Welsh National Anthem
It is believed that a weaver from Mid Glamorgan, Evan James, wrote the words one morning in January 1856 to a tune composed by his son James James. The date of the song's adoption as the national anthem is subject to debate, but it is known that the tune was given prominence in 1874, and since that date has been considered the song which expresses Welsh nationalism. Hear The Melody Here...
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mâd,
Tros ryddid gollasant eu gwaed.Chorus:
Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad.
Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau.Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd,
Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn i'm golwg sydd hardd;
Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si
Ei nentydd, afonydd i mi.Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwald tan ei droed,
Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ac erioed,
Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,
Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad.
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As was brought out by other posters nationalism is universal. It also tends to cycle depending on what is going on in the world, the country and other internal circumstances.
You have heard from quite a few posters here that have answered the questions you asked but you disregard them, if you prefer to believe what you read and hear from other sources that is your choice. But do not ask us to take the time to give you our personal experiences as citizens of the US only to have them disbelieved or discredited.
Reminds me of when I sometimes chat with someone who "knows" a JW...and the conversation is something like...
Me: Yes I used to be a JW
Them: Really I have a friend who has a cousin who is one....so why they don't they believe in Jesus anyway
Me: They do
Them: Well my friend's cousin said they don't
Me: Ok well I used to be one and I'm telling you they do...
Them: Well all I know is what they told me...and they are Jehovah's Witnesses
Me: Are you sure? Because I'm telling you they believe in Jesus and I was one for over 20 years. Maybe you are confused because they put emphasis on Jehovah and not Jesus. Jesus being God's Son and not God himself.
Them: Yes they are Jehovah's Witnesses...
Me: Maybe you misunderstood them....
Them: No I'm sure they said they are Jehovahs't Witnesses and they don't believe in Jesus
Me: *sigh* ok then believe what you want.....
Better to believe uncertain "sources" than hearing it right from the "horse's mouth" so to speak, apparently.....