Responding to Empire: Liberal Nationalism and Imperial Decline in Scotland and Québec1

Abstract

This article emphasises the role of empire in explaining the emergence of “liberal nationalism” in Scotland and Quebec in the early twentieth century. That period witnessed a relative decline in the British Empire's geopolitical standing. In response British governments implemented policies which sought to redress its decline. The article focuses on three policies – the South African War, tariff reform and imperial defence – and the response of the Young Scots' Society and the self-ascribed Nationalistes. Both groups espoused a “liberal nationalism”. Yet their liberal nationalism was expressed differently: emphasis was placed on “liberal” in Scotland, and on “nationalism” in Quebec, reflecting contrasting relationships with empire.