英美概况UK chapter 3 British Politics
《英美国家概况》终极笔记中英文对照版
新版“英语国家概况”精讲笔记Chapter 1第一章Land and People 英国的国土与人民I.Different Names for Britain and its Parts英国的不同名称及其各组成部分1.Geographical names: the British Isles, Great Britain and England.地理名称：不列颠群岛，大不列颠和英格兰。
2.Official name: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.官方正式名称：大不列颠及北爱尔兰联合王国。
3.The British Isles are made up of two large islands-Great Britain (the larger one) and Ireland,and hundreds of small ones.不列颠群岛由两个大岛—大不列颠岛（较大的一个）和爱尔兰岛，及成千上万个小岛组成。
4.Three political divisions on the island of Great Britain: England, Scotland and Wales.大不列颠岛上有三个政治区：英格兰、苏格兰和威尔士。
(1) England is in the southern part of Great Britain. It is the largest, most populous section.英格兰位于大不列颠岛南部，是最大，人口最稠密的地区。
(2) Scotland is in the north of Great Britain. It has three natural zones (the Highlands in the north; the Central lowlands; the south Uplands) Capital: Edinburgh苏格兰位于大不列颠的北部。
英美概况英国部分整理
EnglandOrigin of the countryIntroduction:1. prehistoric period: Iberians2. Celts (Britons): 8th -5th BC3. Roman Occupation (55 BC/ 43 AD-410 AD)4. Anglo-Saxons Conquest and Heptarchy (5th -8th c.)5. The Danish and Viking Invasion (8th c.-1066)6. Norman Conquest (1066)详细介绍：1.Between 3000 and 2000 BC, the first known settlers on the British Isles were the Iberians,relics they left was Stonehenge, which was built about 3500 years ago(2000BC) on the Salisbury Plains, Wiltshire.2.The name of Britain—Britons (tribe of Celts)Moved to Great Britain in about 700 BC (8th century)The Celts in Britain are believed to be ancestors of the Highland Scots,the Irish and the Welsh people.3.Roman Britain (43 AD—5th Century)First invasion—In August 55 BC, Julius Caesar invaded BritainSecond—Caesar's second raid in 54 BCThird and final—In 43 AD, Emperor Claudius, final and successful Roman invasion of Britain [recorded in Caesar’s diary which begun the written history of Britain]; drove the Celts into Scotland and WalesInfluence of Roman Occupation---Romans built towns, cities, temples, theaters, fine buildings “Every road lead to Rome.”---systematic city government: e.g. Manchester, Leicester, Wiltshire, etc. London, York, Bath, etc.---religion: ChristianityIn 597, Pope Gregory I sent St. Augustine to England to convert English people to ChristiansRomans Leaving BritainLeft in 410 AD1) Germanic attack in Rome;2)Invaders (Picts or Scots)4.The Anglo-Saxons (446-871) and HeptarchyJutes: KentSaxons: Essex, Sussex and WessexAngles: East Anglia, Mercia and NorthumbriaEngland: the land of the Anglesancestors of English: Anglo-SaxonsHeptarchy: these seven kingdomsWessex: dominantInfluence of Anglo-Saxons1)Brought their own Teutonic religion to Britain.The names Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday respectively derive from their gods.—Tiu—god of war—Woden—king of heaven—Thor—god of storms—Freya—goddess of peace2)The Anglo-Saxons laid the foundations of the English state.1) divided the country into shires.2) established the manorial system.3) created the Witan5.Danish Invasion (8th Century—1066)8th century, the Vikings (from the Scandinavian countries: Norway, Denmark and Sweden) invaded Britain.A peace treaty: the eastern half of the island was to be subject to the Danish law and come to be known as the Danelaw.Edward the Confessor(because of his intense personal religious piety) (1042-1066)Built Westminster Abbey6.The Norman ConquestIn 1066, Edward chose Harold of Wessex to be King in his place.Duke William, often referred to as William the Conquer, challenged Harold’s succession, won the Battle of Hastings. Crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of York on Christmas, 1066Influence of Norman Conquest1. marking the formal establishment of feudalism in England （the House of Norman was the first feudal house)2. a strong Norman government:1) confiscated all the land2) the administration of justice directly dependent on the crown3) replacing the English bishops with Normans4) building the Tower of London as a military fortress5) French and French civilizationTo sum up, we usually take Celts as the native settlers in Britain.Norman Conquest was the last time of England’s being invaded in its history.~ Medieval TimeHenry II and His Legal Reform 亨利二世与法律改革-- The House of Plantagenet金雀花王朝( the second feudal house)-- Reigned over 300 years from 1154 to 1485-- 15 kingsWilliam died in Normandy in 1087,1)EldestsonRobert（Normandy）2)secondsonWilliamtheRufus（England)3)thirdsonHenry(alargesumofmoney)HenryhadhimselfcrownedasHenryIinWestminsterabbeyinAugust1100In 1154, little Henry, the great grandson of Henry I became the English King known as Henry II.He was the founder of Plantagenet dynasty.Henry II ’s Legal ReformReason: Anglo-Saxon trial by ordeals and Norman trial by duelResult :1.the circuit courts and jury systemcircuit courts:itinerant(巡回) justicesJury:12 jurors2.the English common lawBased on the Anglo-Saxon tradition and custom,or precedentsReform of the courtHenry II insisted that all clerks charged with criminal offenses should be tried in the king’s courts instead of in the Bishop’s courtConflicts between King and Becket1)In 1162, HenryII appointed him Archbishop of Canterbury, thinking he would help him with the reform of the church court.2)Direct cause:different views of a murder charge of a clerk man3)Constitutions of Clarendon in 1164 to increase the jurisdiction(管辖权) of the civil courts at the expense of the church courts,Becket refused.Famous works about Becket:BOOK:Canterbury tales byGeoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400), an English poetDRAMA:Murder in the Cathedral (1935) modern poet T.S. EliotKing John and the Great Charter 约翰王与《大宪章》King John: Henry II 's third son (reign:1199-1216)Bad Reputation：-- Ganged up with careerists-- Tried to snatch the kingdom away from his brother Richard I-- Greedily collected money for himself-- Lost all the land in FranceBad Relationship with the Pope：Conflict over the candidate to be Archbishop of CanterburyKing John:Drove the monks out of the kingdom and took over the profits of their landPope:-- Closed all the churches in England and suspended public services.-- Intended to excommunicate King JohnBad Relationship with the Nobles：-- Increased taxes-- In 1213, he proposed to lead the nobles in a war to reconquer his lost lands in France, but the nobles refused to follow him.-- A number of barons met in 1214 and decided to compel the king to sign the charter they had prepared.June 19th, 1215, Magna Carta/ the Great CharterThe Great Charter: Most important document;corner stone of English history ;almost as important to the English as the Declaration of Independence to the Americans. (63 clauses条款)Significance of the Great Charter :1. the first step of constitutional experiment in England.2. protect the rights of the merchant class and thus promoted the development of commerce and handicraft,and laid the foundation for the rise of capitalist class3. set the basic rules for the English and American legal system: for life, property, and freedom4. limit the power of the king.5. the turning point in British history: challenge the feudal society.800th Anniversary in 2015 (All these rules, designed to protect the privileged class at first, were later extended to the broad masses of common people and established the basis for protection of human rights in the Western World)The Hundred Years’ War英法百年战争(1337-1453)A series of wars fought between England and France over territory, trade and the throne.Reason:Territory: The English were eager to regain Henry II's French land lost by King John.Trade: the English wanted to expand foreign markets.Throne: Edward III vs. Philip VI (Valois House in France)Stages of the Hundred Years’ War:At first:English (Edward III) were successful; won a land battle near Calais at Crecy and then took Calais; put the French King into prison.Later:After a long peaceful lull, English (HenryⅤ) won victory at Argencourt; Henry was recognized to French throne in 1420.(historical play, Henry V byShakespeare；movies，Argencourt and Henry V )After French King’s death:Joan of Arc drove the English out of France in 1453. By 1453 Calais was the only part of France that was still in the hands of the English.Significance of Hundred Years’ WarA blessing for both countries.1. English was established as the official language in Britain rather than French. [language]2. Development of woolen textile industry [commercial development]3. The rise of merchants and craftsman due to the need of money (the rise of middle class)4. Sped up the decline of feudalism and reduction of importance of knights because of gunpowder (the fall of the nobles)5. Two national states [Britain and France; not integrated]The Wars of Roses (1455—1485)A war for the throne between the House of York(white rose) and the House of Lancaster (red rose).Actually, they were both the branches of House of Plantagenet.Reason: After the Hundred Years’ War, nobles, driven out of France, wanted to gain wealth and power at home. Result:The House of Lancaster won and their leader Henry Tudor became King Henry VII and started the rule of the House of Tudor (1485-1603).~ Transitional PeriodRenaissance in England英国文艺复兴House of Tudor (1485-1603). Henry VII, 1485The Tudor Monarchy-- Strengthened and developed rapidly-- Secure its peace by careful diplomacy and graceful isolationism-- Built navy to protect and promote the development of trade and industryGreat Events Witnessed in Tudor Monarchy1.Discovery of American Continent in 14922.Renaissance (it was during this monarchy that the Renaissance spread into England)3.Reformation宗教改革Renaissance 文艺复兴Literal meaning: “rebirth”, rediscovery of ancient Roman and Greek cultures in Northern ItalyModern meaning: variety of changes which Europe underwent politically, economically and culturally between the middle of 1350-1600The period of 5th and 15th centuries were called the Middle Ages.Ottoman Empire vs.East Roman EmpireCause: In 1453, Ottoman Empire (Turkey) took Constantinople and overran Greece and the Balkans. Greek scholars fled with manuscripts of classics.The three Italian writers and their works（Literary Masters) 文学三杰Dante with his Divine Comedy 但丁《神曲》Boccaccio and his Decameron 博伽丘《十日谈》Petrarch and his sonnets 彼得拉克《十四行诗》Three Italian Artists: 艺术三杰Leonardo da Vinci (Mona Lisa,The Last Supper)Michelangelo (David,Genesis创世纪）Raphael （大量圣母像；The Sistine Madonna西斯廷圣母；School of Athens雅典学院）1.Believe that men could achieve wonders through their own efforts2.No longer regarded this life as a mere penance to be endured by good Christians3.Men had the right to enjoy the beauty of this life and strive to enrich it4.humanists/ humanismRenaissance in EnglandWhy late: endless wars in Britain and geographic locationWhen: House of Tudor, 1485catalyst: printing technique by William Caxton in 1476Elizabethan drama:1) Christopher Marlowe: Tamberlaine, Dr. Faustus, The Jew of Malta, Edward II.2) Ben Johnson: Volpone, The Alchemist, Bartholomew Fair3) William Shakespeare:William ShakespeareShakespeare's birthplace: Stamford-upon-Avon, Warwick shireWrote 37 plays : comedies, tragedies and historical playsComedies 四大喜剧The Merchant of Venice《威尼斯商人》A Midsummer Night's Dream《仲夏夜之梦》As You Like It《皆大欢喜》Twelfth night《第十二夜》Tragedies 四大悲剧:Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear;Poet:Sonnets: Sonnet 18 “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?”Other Literary AchievementsPoet: Edmund Spencer: The Faerie QueenPoet: John Milton: Paradise LostHumanist: Thomas More: UtopiaStatesman and philosopher : Francis Bacon: EssaysReformation in England and Queen Elizabeth I’s Time英国宗教改革及伊丽莎白时期Major churches in the worldIn Middle East: In the Far East:1) Judaism 1) Hinduism2) Christianity 2) Buddhism3) IslamismChristianity in EnglandNearly 1000 years from 597 AD since St. Augustine landed and built the first monastery in CanterburyBenefits besides religious belief:---Latin language and ancient classics---church schools, e.g. Oxford, Cambridge---early techniques: masons and glass-makers---Roman cultureThe Catholic Church in the Middle AgesThe Catholic Church: dominant in the Middle Ages: either believer or paganProblems:1. Power abuse: put the pagans to death2. Corruption:a) tithe (a regular tax, one-tenth of the farm produce);b) selling indulgences and church postsRevolt of the ProtestantsPioneer in religious reformation: Martin Luther from Germany-- A monk, priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation.-- He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money.-- Justification by faith “因信称义”(to read the Bible instead of listening to what the Pope said)ProtestantismProtestants/ Puritans: to purify the Catholic church by getting rid of bishops and the old ritualsBelief:---Predestined---Prepare for grace by reading the Bible, and by living as good and decent life as they could---Advocated a strict moral code---Stressed the virtues of self-discipline, thrift and hard workHenry VIII' s Reformation in England 亨利八世的改革Reasons:1) Encouraged by the success of Martin Luther2) The privilege and wealth of the clergy were resented by many people3) Henry VIII believed the monarchy would establish an absolute power without the Pope’s interference Immediate cause: Henry VIII wanted to divorce Catherine of Argon because she could not produce a male heir for him.Process1. Declared churchmen guilty agents of the Pope and not forgive them until they acknowledged him head of the Church of England.2. Suppression of the monasteries and plunder of properties of church3. Married Anne Boleyn4. Parliament passed two acts:1)1534 Act of Succession; 2) 1535 Act of SupremacyResults1.Henry VIII got the title of Supreme Head of the Church of England in 1535.2.also increased the importance of Parliament3. power to appoint high English churchmen and enjoy all the income which was formerly given to the Pope.4. Catholicism declined and Protestantism became a major branch of Christianity.Queen Mary-- After Henry VIII’ s death，he religious conflict between Catholicism and Protestantism was beyond reconciliation-- Catherine's daughter，a Catholic-- Persecuted Protestants--“Bloody Mary”Queen Elizabeth IAnne Boleyn's daughterPro-Protestant from the startCompromise: not persecute CatholicsFrom her, England maintained Protestant ever since.执政时期：1. Foreign policy: made use of the contradictions between two Catholic powers: France and Spain2. Economy: charter companies（granted charters to English merchants）（ex，East India Company）3. War with Spanish Armada西班牙无敌舰队in 1588:4. Social life: brick and stone houses; pillows; carpets; carriages;5. Literature: esp. drama6. Travel and adventureElizabeth I was regarded as the foundation layer of the British Empire.the Oscar award-winning film Elizabeth I~ Modern TimeThe Two Kings of the House of Stuart 斯图亚特王朝二国王Elizabeth died in 1603 without an heir to succeed her, her nephew, James VI of Scotland, became the English king known as James I, which was the beginning of the House of Stuart.James I (reign: 1603-1625)Religious Controversy: repressed both Protestants and Catholics1. Puritan ask for further Reformation; but James declared “No Bishop, No King”2. James I suspected as a secret Catholic.James I's Policy: “make them conform or harry them from the land”James I took drastic measures to make the Puritans to conform to the Church of England, otherwise, they would be persecuted. Many Puritans fled England.In 1620, a group of 102 Puritans, called the Pilgrim Fathers, sailed from Plymouth in the ship Mayflower to America.King James I: Protestant VS Guy Fawkes: CatholicReason：The Catholics in England were opposed to James I and his succession to the throne since he came from Scotland, a pure Protestant countryGunpowder Plot, Nov. 5th（failed）Guy Fawkes Day, annual celebrationPolitically 詹姆士一世-- Believe in “Divine Right of Kings”-- Ruled without Parliament for seven years-- Academically King James Bible （the translation of James I）Charles I (reign: 1625-1649) （James I ‘s son）not capable as his father-- Believed in “Divine Right of Kings”-- Continuous religious controversy-- Bad relationship with the Parliament---e.g. 1. conflict over monopolies---e.g. 2. 1st Parliament in 1625: conflict over import revenue; dissolved Parliament（He started collecting import duties and raising forced loans without the agreement of the Parliament.）---e.g. 3: 3rd Parliament in 1628: Petition of Right（the second Magna Carta）, which echoed the Magna Carta and further limited the military power of king---e.g. 4: force the Scots to accept the textbook of Church of England; led to warsummoned for money and dissolved the Parliament in 1640Known as Short Parliament（only two weeks）---e.g. 5: was defeated in the war with Scotstreaty: ₤850 a day to Scottish armysummoned (for money )the 5th Parliament in 1640Known as Long Parliament (1640-1653)This Parliament existed for more than ten years during the English Bourgeois Revolution until Cromwell dissolved it in April 1653.The Militia Bill: deprived military command from the CrownThe Great Remonstrance: limited the King's religious powerReplaced the King’s counselors by ministers approved by ParliamentThe English Civil War and the Time After It 英国资产阶级革命及革命之后Conflicts: Church( reformed in the Reformation)king vs parliamentNobles(most perished during the Hundred Years’ War and the Wars of Roses)Development of Parliament：1265 formed;Simon de Montfort↓Developed in the House of Tudors, esp. Henry VIII's time↓Rivaled against the King James I and Charles ITrigger of War（reason）Charles I marched to the House of Commons to arrest John Pym and other four radical MPs.Voices in the ParliamentRight Wing“no victory, no defeat”policyLeft Wingmore revolutionary;-- Charles I and his Royalists/ Cavaliers-- Parliamentarians/ Roundheads-- Oliver Cromwell and his New Model Army(These soldiers were mostly devout Protestants. They thought were fighting for God’s cause charged fearlessly, singing psalms. That’s why the Civil War was also called the Puritan Revolution.)-- In June ,1645,Cromwell and Fairfax defeated the royalist army.-- By autumn 1646,Parliament controlled most of England-- In May,1646,Charles I could no longer struggle and surrenderedIn 1646, Parliament won and Charles I gave himself to the Scottish armyIn 1647, Charles was transferred by Scots to Parliament for a payment of ₤400,000.In 1649, King was sentenced “Tyrant, Traitor, Murderer and public Enemy”and was executed.Charles I on the Scaffold 断头台After the Civil Wars(Taxes were increased to keep the army and Cromwell became tyrannical and unpopular.)Cromwell died in 1658, his son Richard succeeded him But abdicated.Restoration (1660): Charles II, son of Charles I 斯图亚特王朝复辟A new Parliamentary election was held in 1660. The new Parliament negotiated with Charles I’s son and asked him back to be the King under their limitation. The Republic was thus put to an end. The Restoration of the House of the Stuart.Glorious Revolution (1688):(Upon Charles II’s death,his brother, a Catholic,James II succeeded.He refused to give up his belief and the Protestant English couldn’t agree to.The leading figures invited William, the nephew and son-in-law of James II, and Mary, the daughter of James II to come back from Holland and rule England. They accepted the invitation and landed an army in England in November 1688. James II fled to France)Bill of Rights 1689-- Confirmed constitutional monarchy with parliamentary supremacy(guaranteed free speech within both houses of Parliament and excluded any Catholics from succession to the English throne.)Industrial Revolution in Britain 英国工业革命The Industrial Revolutions in Human HistoryThe 1st Industrial RevolutionDefinition: The Industrial Revolution refers to the mechanization of industry and the consequent changes in social and economic organization in Britain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.Reasons:1. huge market:---domestic market---colonial markets in North America, India and other colonies(Britain won in the Seven Years War from 1756 to 1763)2.enormous wealth from the colonies: business trade and slave trade(East India Company:had a trading monopoly in India and parts of East Aida.The Royal African Company: involved in trade with Africa, the slave trade in particular. )3. Enclosure movement圈地运动Other factors:1) good location and near to seaports2) engineer had good training;3) inventors were respected;4) “Protestant work ethic”and laissez faire;5) broadened vision and aggressive spiritProcess of Industrial Revolution--- First began in the textile industry1) 1733, flying shuttle,飞梭John Kay, sped up hand weaving;2) 1766, spinning jenny, 珍妮纺纱机James Hargreaves, enabled to spin many threads at a time;3) 1784, power loom, Edmund Cartwright, enabled weaving to catch up with spinning;（established a great factory by applying power-driven mules and powerlooms in 1784and he became the Father of the Factory System in England.）EX:Spinning Jenny by James HargreavesPrepared the way for a new system of production: large-scale industry.Transportation industry1. In 1785, James Watt modified and improve Thomas Newcomer’s steam engine.2. In 1814, George Stephenson built the first steam locomotive.（Marked the beginning of a new stage of the Industrial Revolution.）3. In 1825, t he first railway was completed and by 1850, Britain completed its railway system nationwide.ResultsPositive1)“workshop of the world”2) mass urbanization: new cities like Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and Sheffieldnegative1)simplified class structure; gap between rich and poor2)terrible working conditionThe serious problem of unemployment, over-population, bad living conditions and so on made the crime rates in London become the highest in the world.Literary works：Charles Dickens’ novels, such as Oliver Twist.~ Imperialist TimeQueen Victoria and the British Empire维多利亚与大英帝国的建立Britain after Industrial Revolution-- “workshop of the world”-- London---the financial center of world-- The English language was spread all over the worldThe British Empire was formed.(completely established)Queen VictoriaReign: 1837 to 1901Victoria's TimeShe encouraged further industrialization, the building of railways and the growth of trade and commerce.Sciencethe publication of Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species in 1859“survival of the fittest适者生存”Victorian NovelsWilliam T hackeray萨克雷（Vanity Fair名利场）Charles Dickens狄更斯（A Tale of Two Cities双城记，Oliver Twist雾都孤儿，David Copperfield大卫科波菲尔，Great Expectations远大前程）Bronte sisters（Emily Bronte Wuthering Heights呼啸山庄，Charlotte Bronte，Jane Eyre简爱，Anne Bronte）George Eliot乔治·艾略特Their works played an important role in pushing forward social reforms and promoting the development of British values.Victoria's Society-- strict discipline-- careful behavior-- harmonious relationship--“Victorian”: decency and morality, self-satisfaction based on wealth, and great industrial and scientific development. --"the polite society"The British EmpireLand:1/5 of the world’s dry land(1/4 of the world’s landmass):135 times as large as BritainPopulation:560 million;ten times as large as that of BritainForeign expansion and aggression:the sun-never-setting”empireThe Formation of the EmpireFoundation: Elizabeth I’s timeEstablishment: 18th and 19th c, Victoria.Processes: Aggression(侵略) against national states and annexation（合并，兼并）of uninhabited or sparsely-populated wild landSpearhead (先锋): Chartered Companies, e.g. East India CompanyMethod: “Flag follows trade”Aggression:Southeast AsiaIndia and ChinaIndia: The British government took over control of India in 1858 and Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India in 1876.China: Opium War in 1840; the Treaty of Nanking (1842): heavy indemnity, to cede to Britain the island of HK, to open five ports to foreign commerceAnnexation: North America and OceaniaAmerica: English colonists first in Jamestown,1607; westward movementCanada: defeat France in Seven Years' War (1756-1763);Australia and New Zealand: discovered by James Cook in 1770s---drove the nativesAmerica independent in 1783; the other three became dominions of the British EmpireAfrica1. Egypt: Suez Canal, 18822. 20C,occupied Gold Coast (now Ghana), Nigeria, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia.3. South Africa: gold and diamonds4. After the Boer War,the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910,the 4th dominion of British EmpireThe Decline and Fall of the British Empire 大英帝国的衰落Decline of the British EmpireTime of imperialism帝国主义: expansion and invasionConflict: England was dominant in the world colonization, while other younger imperialist countries were eager to have a share.Military blocs:Central Powers：Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey（Ottoman Empire）the Allies：Britain, France, Russia, Italy（后来加入）, the United States (1917)Outbreak of WWI导火索：June 28, 1914, the Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo by a young Slav nationalistThe Process of the War1. German (ally of Austria-Hungary) declared war on Russia (ally of Serbia) on Aug. 1st and on France on Aug 3 since France rejected being neutral.2. German invaded Belgium and Britain felt German’s threat and went into war with Germany.3. Australia and New Zealand sent support in Gallipoli.The war finally ended in 1918 with the victory for the Allies.Paris ConferenceParis Conference, in Versailles on January 18th, 1919.The Allies divided the colonies of Germany, Austro-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire and imposed much indemnity on the defeated countries.Influence of WWI on BritainWinner but also loser1.Drained of manpower2.Britain lost 70% of its merchant ships and a large amount of money.（Britain lost the sea supremacy.）3.Changed from a creditor to a debtor nation4.London was replaced by New York as the world’s leading financial center.5.Foreign trade declined to about only half of the prewar total.6.Disillusionment of the soldiers: Lost Generation（Hemingway The Sun Also Rises）（Large-scale strikes and hunger marches caused political unrest which led to four general elections in just over five years. The general election of 1924 brought the Labor Party to power for the first time. ）Britain after WWI1920s: Roaring TwentiesEconomy downturn:---slack business---closed factories---soaring taxes---unemployment---The Great Depression (1929-1939)WWII (1939-1945)Continuation of WWIGermany: lost all colonies, disarmed, paid reparations;Great Depression归咎经济萧条于凡尔赛条约Adolf Hitlter（came to power in 1933）:aroused nationalism and racismBritain: foreign policy known as nonintervention and appeasementTogether with France signed the Munich Agreement with Hitler, planning to trade Sudetenland (other countries’ land) for peace.Outbreak of WWIISept.1, 1939, German's attack on PolandBritain in WWIIForced to declare war on Germany-- ill prepared and repeatedly defeated-- War Cabinet and Churchill as Prime Minister in1940-- War-time speeches(King’s speech)Nazi:Germany,Italy,JapanAnti-Nazi:Britain,France,Russia,America,ChinaEnd of WWIIGermany surrendered unconditionally on May 7, 1945Influence of WWII on Britain1.London was repeated bombed by German planes and was nearly destroyed.2.357,000 people were killed or missing and 475,000 were wounded.3.Lost navy supremacy4.In deep debt to AmericaDisintegration of British Empire1.British colonies fought for independence one after another.2.More than 20 countries won their independence3.By the year 1970, Britain is now what it was before its foreign expansion。
英语国家概况 unit3 The government of tne UK
The coronation of the Commonwealth Realms' Queen Elizabeth II Westminster Abbey, 1953.
• Half-Crown coin of Oliver Cromwell, 1658. The inscription means "Oliver, by the Grace of God Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland et cetera".
Oliver Cromwell's death
mask at Warwick Castle
Plaque commemorating the reinterment of Cromwell's head at Sidney Sussex College
英美概况知识点总结英语
英美概况知识点总结英语1. Geography:The United Kingdom (UK) is located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe. It consists of four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The UK has a diverse landscape, including rolling hills, mountains, and fertile plains. It is also known for its coastline and numerous islands.On the other hand, the United States (US) is a vast country in North America, with 50 states and a federal district. It is the fourth-largest country in the world by land area and has a diverse geography that includes mountains, plains, deserts, and coastlines, as well as the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River.2. Politics and Governance:The UK is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy. The Head of State is the monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II, while the Prime Minister is the head of the government. The UK Parliament has two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The political system is based on the principle of parliamentary sovereignty.In contrast, the United States is a federal republic with a presidential system. It has a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The President is both the head of state and the head of government, and the Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The US political system is based on the principles of federalism and checks and balances.3. Economy:The UK has one of the largest economies in the world, with a focus on services such as finance, healthcare, education, and creative industries. London is a global financial center, and the UK has a strong manufacturing and technology sector as well. It is also a member of the European Union, although it recently departed from the bloc following the Brexit referendum in 2016.The United States has the world's largest economy, characterized by its diversity and innovation. It is a global leader in technology, finance, entertainment, and manufacturing. The US economy is driven by private enterprise and innovation, with cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco serving as major economic hubs.4. Education:The UK has a well-established education system, including prestigious universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. Education is compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 16, and the system is divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary (higher) education. The UK is known for its high-quality education and research facilities.In the United States, education is decentralized, with each state responsible for its own education system. The US has a wide range of educational institutions, including Ivy League universities, public and private colleges, and community colleges. The US is also a popular destination for international students seeking higher education.5. Culture and Society:Both the UK and the US have rich and diverse cultural traditions. The UK is known for its literature, theater, music, and art, with a strong influence from its historical legacy. British culture has also been shaped by its multicultural population, with significant contributions from immigrants and diverse ethnic communities.The US is a melting pot of cultures, influenced by the traditions of Native American, African, European, Asian, and Latin American communities. It has made significant contributions to global popular culture, including music, film, and sports. The US is also known for its emphasis on individualism and the "American Dream," the belief that anyone can achieve success through hard work and determination.6. Healthcare:The UK has a public healthcare system known as the National Health Service (NHS), which provides free or subsidized healthcare to all residents. The NHS is funded through taxation and offers comprehensive medical services, including primary care, hospital treatment, and emergency services.In the United States, healthcare is provided through a combination of private and public systems. While public programs like Medicare and Medicaid offer coverage to specific groups, the majority of Americans are covered by private health insurance. The US has a complex healthcare system with varying levels of access and quality, and healthcare costs are a major issue for many Americans.In conclusion, the United Kingdom and the United States are two influential and diverse countries with distinct characteristics in terms of politics, economy, education, culture, and healthcare. Despite their differences, they share a common language and history, and they continue to have a significant impact on global affairs. Understanding the nuances of these two nations can provide valuable insights into the complexities of international relations and the modern world.。
英语国家概况Chapter3
A Guide to English-Speaking Countries
2.1.2
Queen
Queen Elizabeth II
Born: April 21, 1926 Queen since June 2, 1953
• • • •
the Bill of Rights (1689) the Reform Act (1832) the European Communities Act (1972) the European Communities (Amendment) Act (1986)
Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press
Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press
A Guide to English-Speaking Countries
2.1.2
Queen
In reality, she does everything on the advice of the Prime Minister, and her role is “ceremonial, unpolitical and symbolic”: State opening of the Parliament Royal assent to new law Meeting with the Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace Pay state visits to Commonwealth countries as head of state and non-Commonwealth countries on behalf of the British government
英语国家概况Chapter 3
弗朗西斯·斯 科特·菲茨杰 拉德：美国 小说家代表 作有《了不 起的盖茨比》
等
节日习俗
圣诞节：12月 25日庆祝耶稣 诞生家庭团聚
互赠礼物
复活节：春分 月圆后的第一 个星期日庆祝 耶稣复活彩蛋、 兔子、复活节
彩蛋等元素
感恩节：11月 的第四个星期 四感谢上帝赐 予的丰收家庭 团聚火鸡、南
瓜等元素
现代历史
英国：二战后英国逐渐衰落但仍然是欧洲的重要国家
美国：二战后美国成为世界超级大国经济、科技、文化等方面都处于 领先地位
澳大利亚：二战后澳大利亚逐渐发展成为发达国家经济、文化等方面 都有所发展
加拿大：二战后加拿大逐渐发展成为发达国家经济、文化等方面都有 所发展
新西兰：二战后新西兰逐渐发展成为发达国家经济、文化等方面都有 所发展
编织：爱尔兰、苏格兰等国家的编织工艺非常著名编织品包括围巾、帽子、手套等。
木雕：加拿大、新西兰等国家的木雕工艺非常精湛木雕作品具有很高的艺术价值和收藏价值。
珠宝首饰：南非、澳大利亚等国家的珠宝首饰制作工艺非常出色珠宝首饰作4
教育体制
教育体系：分为小学、中学、 大学三个阶段
YOUR LOGO
THNK YOU
汇报人：
汇报时间：20XX/01/01
家庭教育的重要性：家庭教育是儿童成长过程中不可或缺的一部分对儿童的性格、价值 观和行为习惯有着深远的影响。
家庭教育的方式：家庭教育的方式多种多样包括父母对孩子的言传身教、家庭环境的影 响、家庭教育的规划和实施等。
家庭教育的内容：家庭教育的内容涉及儿童的身心健康、道德品质、知识技能、社交能 力等多个方面。
情人节：2月 14日情侣互赠 礼物表达爱意 玫瑰花、巧克
武汉理工大学英美文化英国概况Unit3
英美文化与国家概况British and American Studies ( British Part )Unit Three大学英语第一教研室余非编2013年2月Unit 3 Politics and LawContents:1.Political Parties2.Elections3.Justice and Law Courts4.Legal Profession1.Political Parties✧In the United Kingdom, politics is under the control of political parties, and this is known asparty politics.✧There are two major political parties that contest the majority of seats of Parliament in thegeneral election.✧Britain normally holds a general election every five years for British people to elect Membersof Parliament.✧British voters regard the transfer of political powers from one party to another as an effectiveway of making the government more responsive to their demands.✧Under the British law, people are free to set up political parties, and a number of politicalparties exist in the United Kingdom. The law grants equal treatment to all political parties.✧However, only two of them are most important and they are known as the major parties.✧Consequently, politics in Britain is based on a two-party system instead of multi-partysystem.✧The two major parties are respectively called the Conservative Party and the Labor Party.British Parliament is always dominated by one or the other of these two major parties.✧Small parties, usually called minor parties, cannot win the majority seats of Parliament andhave no chance to control the government.✧The history of political parties in Britain can be traced back to the late 17th century when twopolitical parties, the Whigs and the Tories, were founded.The Whigs (辉格党):1. The name Whig is derived from a derogatory term first applied to Scottish rebels.2.Towards the middle of the 19th century, the Whigs adopted a new name, the liberal Party.3.After the First World War, the Liberal Party disintegrated and some of its members laterjoined the Labor Party, which was founded in 1900. Its supporters are mainly from trade unions, liberals, socialists, and progressive intellectuals.4.The basic doctrine of the Labor Party was based on socialism, but its goal was to promotenational and individual growth, not the uprising of one class by overthrowing another one. 5.Many of the Labor leaders are from the working class families, but the party is not arepresentative of the working class in its real sense. It represents the interests of confusing class elements.6.According to statistics from general elections, about 20% of upper-middle class, half of themiddle class, and 60% of the manual workers vote for the Labor Party. It is for this reason that the Labor Party is said to represent the relatively poor or the lower class.The Tories（托利党）:1.Those who opposed the doctrine of the Whigs were called the “ Tories ”. The name Tory,derived from an old Irish word meaning runaway or fugitive.2.In the mid-19 century, the Tory Party decided to adopt the new name --- The ConservativeParty--- because of the changed situation in Britain. Tory is still often used as a synonym for Conservative.3.The main support of the Conservative Party comes from the middle and upper-middle classes,which are believed to be more conservative.4.The average educational level of the Conservatives is usually higher than that of otherpolitical parties. It can be said that the higher one goes up in social and economic class, the more likely he is to vote for the Conservatives.5.That is why some people label the Conserv atives as a party of “the rich”.2.Elections✧Members of Parliament are elected in nationwide general elections. The goal of the twomajor parties is to gain the majority of the seats in the House of Commons so as to form itsgovernment.✧There are 659 seats in the House of Commons, representing the whole nation.✧To distribute the seats fairly, the United Kingdom is divided into 659 electoral districts, alsoknown as constituencies, of equal population. Each constituency is to elect one Member of Parliament.✧Every man and woman aged 18 or over has the right to vote. Each voter can vote for only onecandidate.✧Both parties have their local organizations that choose candidates of their party and help themwith the election campaign. A candidate without party affiliation is known as an independent candidate. Active supporters of the candidates use all kind of methods in the campaign. The most interesting method is “ canvassing ”.✧For the purpose of soliciting votes by canvassing, activists go from house to house and oftenrides in cars to the voting place.✧The general election is held on the same day all over the country, but voting is notcompulsory. The voter takes his ballot paper to a booth where he marks the name he intends to vote for and puts it into a large box.✧At the end of the time for voting, all the boxes containing marked ballot papers are sent to acentral point in the constituency.✧The candidate who gets most votes wins the election. As soon as the results of the generalelection are published, everyone knows which party will govern Britain for the next few years.✧If the Government (the party in power) wins the majority of the seats in Parliament, there isno need to make changes.✧If it fails to win the majority, the Prime Minister concedes his pa rty’s defeat and resigns atonce. The Queen then appoints the leader of the new majority party Prime Minister and empowers him to organize a new government for the five years.✧The former government would become the Opposition Party and form it “ shadow cabinet ”.3.Justice and Law Courts✧Britain is a modern democracy based on the rule of law, but it dose not have a singledocument that can be called the written constitution because British values stress adherence to tradition.✧Generally speaking, the English law comprises three elements :1) Act of Parliament （议会法案）2) Common law （习惯法；判例法）3) The European Union law. （欧盟法）✧There are also various local laws known as by-laws made by local governments; however,since local are not allowed to contradict national laws, they cannot be regarded as a separate element.✧Britain has a long judicial history. Its legal system has been emulated throughout the worldand some of its key principles are reflected in the laws of other countries.✧The most important principles derived from British law include due process of law and thewrit of habeas corpus.✧Due process of law is a legal principle that has been adopted by almost all the moderncountries to protect individual rights. It was used for the first time in the Great Charter., also known as the Magna Carter that was signed by King John in 1215.Note :英国是一个没有成文宪法的国家。
大三上学期英美概况British-Politics-class-and-race
A Guide to English-Speaking
Countries
CONTENT
I Constitution II Government III Political Parties IV Election V The Commonwealth
Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press
Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press
A Guide to Do civil servant hold a political
English-Speaking Countries
office?
❖Civil servants are servants of the Crown, they do not hold a political or judicial office, and they are paid with public money which is voted through Parliament.
❖Born to Win
❖Three Days to See & The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
❖Candid Voices--- Essays by American College Students(校园之音―――当代美国 大学生文选)
Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press
Books A Guide to
English-Speaking
Recommended---moves
Countries
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Introduction
• The politics of the United Kingdom—Constitutional monarchy
• Monarch—State Head; Prime Minister—Government Head
Chapter 3
British Politics
An Outline of the UK and the USA
Contents
1 Warming-up 2 New words and expressions 3 British Politics 4 Joyful Moment 5 Exercises
War (1642-1649) from 1649-1660 when England called a commonwealth • Restored in 1660; Charles I’s son enthroned • Formally established through Glorious Revolution in 1688; limited constitutional monarchy
An Outline of the UK and the USA
British Politics— The Monarchy
• The executive authority over the government is by the monarch’s Royal prerogative
• The royal prerogative under laws legislated by Parliament or convention and precedent
• The procedures of the Lords are more informal than those of the Commons, and their role in saving the Commons a great amount of time is widely recognized. An Outline of the UK and the USA
as an organized institution. 基督教的; (与)教会(有关)的 • suffrage: n. The right or privilege of voting; franchise （政治性选举的）选举权,投票权 • court of first instance: 一审法院（庭） • criminal appellate court: 刑事法庭
Minister’s advice; The monarch must accept the decisions of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet • The Royal Prerogative—appoint or dismiss ministers, regulate the civil service, issue passports delcare war or make peace, direct the actions of the military and etc. • The Queen seems very powerful, but in reality she is only a figure-head.
An Outline of the UK and the USA
British Politics
The Parliament B
The
A
Monarchy
British Politics
C The British Government
F
D
The Judicial System
Political The General E Parties Election
An Outline of the UK and the USA
British Politics— The BriБайду номын сангаасish Government
• British government is the supreme administrative institution which manages state affairs; The cabinet is the core of leadership of the British government
An Outline of the UK and the USA
British Politics— The Monarchy
• British monarchy—Including United Kingdom and its overseas territories
• The present monarch—Elizabeth II, reigned since Feb 2, 1952
England, 38 for Wales, 72 for Scotland, and 17 for Northern Ireland • Each “Member of Parliament” (MP) is chosen by a single
constituency according to the First-Past-the-Post electoral system • The party which wins sufficient seats at a general election to
• Executive power; legistiative power and independent judiciary
• Two Major Parties—the Conservative Party and the Labour Party;
• Westminster system—Currently widely adopted within the countries made up of the British Empire
legislative body)使(议会)休会 • — The Parliament was prorogued to the tenth of
February. 国会休会到2月10日。 • backbencher: 后排议员 • whip: n. a member of a legislative body, such as the
U.S. Congress or the British Parliament, charged by his or her party with enforcing party discipline and ensuring attendance. 组织秘书，政党纪律委员（英国和美国的政 党中负责确保本党党员出席政府重大辩论并投票的官员）
An Outline of the UK and the USA
British Politics— The Parliament
• The British Parliament is the supreme legislature of the country
• Consisting of three elements: the monarch, the House of Lords and the House of Commons
• The official head of the parliament is the Queen
An Outline of the UK and the USA
British Politics— The Parliament
The House of Lords
• The House of Lords is the successor to the historical Great Council, which was an advisory body to serve the king
British Politics— The Parliament
The House of Commons
• Also known as the Lower House is where the real power lies • 651 seats totally, distributed among the four countries: 524 for
• Two kinds of lords: the Lords Spiritual and the Lords Temporal
• The House of Lords does not control the term of the Prime Minister or of the Government.
An Outline of the UK and the USA
New words and expressions
• go to the country: 解散议会重新选举下议院, 举行大选 • ecclesiastical: adj. of or relating to a church, especially
• The House of Lords debates legislation, and has some power to amend or reject bills
• The house of Lords is the highest court in the United Kingdom hearing civil and criminal appeals from the lower courts.
An Outline of the UK and the USA
Warming-up
• Do you know where it is?