Cultural

Emancipation in British Guiana brought an influx of indentured labourers from India, whose working and living conditions were destructive of caste and culture, and often as harsh as those of the slaves they replaced.

Ralph Houlbrooke traces back the distinctive roots of the modern family.

John D. Hargreaves discusses cultural reconstruction and its political implications.

How an all-American celebration evolved from the pre-Lent carnivals of the Old World.

'Trappings of popery and rags of the beast'. Mince-pies, mummers, holly and church services all fell victim to a determined Puritan attempt to stamp out the celebration of Christmas under the Commonwealth.

Jeffrey Richards answers

Stephen Yeo ends our discussion...

'All human life is there'. But is it - and can it be interpreted on a par with the chronicles of the great and good? Five social historians discuss the relevance of history without 'kings and things'.

Historians ask, what constitutes the history of popular culture?

Dai Smith, senior lecturer at University College, Cardiff, offers his thoughts.