Wales, Welshness and the Second World War

Join historian Martin Johnes as he considers the impact of the Second World War on Welsh identity, language and culture.

The Second World War is often described as a high point of Britishness. However, Welsh identity neither disappeared nor was subsumed during the conflict.

This talk examines how Welsh identity was used and encouraged by the military and government. In a war for freedom and the British way of life, it was essential for the authorities to recognise that the UK was made up of distinct nationalities and languages.

Practice, however, did not always match policy. Wales and Welsh needs were sometimes overlooked. The ensuing resentment, along with the mobility of wartime, fed a renewed sense of Welshness.

Abroad, Welsh soldiers encountered a wider world where they were often labelled ‘Taff’, a nickname rooted in nationality. At home, meanwhile, an influx of English workers, soldiers and evacuees sparked debate about the impact on Welsh language and culture.

In these ways, the war laid the foundations for a revival and renaissance in Welsh identity in the decades that followed.

About the speaker

Martin Johnes is Professor of Welsh History at Swansea University. His books include 'Wales Since 1939' and 'Wales: England’s Colony?', which was turned into a BBC television series.