United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was established by the Acts of Union in 1801 that united the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland into one unitary and sovereign state. It continued in this form until 1922, after the Irish Free State gained independence, with the remainder continuing as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Rapid industrialisation that began in the decades prior to the state's formation continued up until the mid-19th century. The Great Irish Famine, exacerbated by government inaction in the mid-19th century, led to demographic collapse in much of Ireland and increased calls for Irish land reform. The 19th century was an era of Industrial Revolution, and growth of trade and finance, in which Britain largely dominated the world economy. Outward migration was heavy to the principal British overseas possessions and to the United States. The UK, from its islands off the coast of Europe, financed the coalition that defeated France...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Original: Acts of Union 1800 Vector: Yaddah, Public domain