Britain: Migration, empires and the people: c790 to the present day Flashcards
How did there come about Anglo-Saxons in Britain?
-From AD 400 the tribes, Angles, Saxons and Jutes (Denmark & Northern Germany). They are known collectively as Anglo-Saxons.
Who were the Vikings?
People of Scandinavian (Norwegian, Danish and Swedish) descent, who explored, raided and invaded countries as far as the Americas.
When did Viking raids begin in Britain?
Around AD 790.
When were the first recorded Viking attacks on Britain and what happened?
- In AD 793, monastery at Lindisfarne, Northumbria.
- In AD 795, Isle of Iona, Scotland. Attacked during summer (calmer seas).
Why did the Vikings invade Britain?
- They knew of the Brits wealth through trading with Anglo Saxons.
-Scandinavia had become over- crowded.
-Britain offered better conditions to for farming than the hilly Norway and sandy Denmark.
-Opportunities for younger brother who did not inherit land.
When/How did Alfred the Great become King?
-AD 871.
-He became king since his father Aethelred of Wessex death.
How did the Danelaw occur?
-After conquering Northumbria, East Anglia and Mercia, Vikings began to attack Wessex.
-After some success, Alfred’s army driven back and forced to hide in Athelney in Somerset marshes.
-May AD 876, King Alfred wins at Battle of Edington in Wiltshire, and both sides agree for peace.
-Viking Leader Gunthrum had to become a Christian and agree to never attack Wessex.
-Boundary created so Vikings allowed to stay in north and east ,called the Danelaw.
When and where was Battle of Edington?
-AD May 876.
-Wiltshire
What was the Danelaw?
Area in the north and east of England where Vikings lived.
Was the Danelaw successful in keeping peace?
-During Alfred’s reign there were still Viking raids on Anglo-Saxon territory.
-Many Vikings in Danelaw settled and lived peacefully.
-People travelled between Wessex and Danelaw and well as inter-marriages.
-After Alfred’s death, his descendants recaptured parts of the Danelaw.
What Viking influences remain today?
-Days of the week e.g. (Thor’s)day.
-Village names ending with -by e.g. Grims(by).
-Words like egg and ill.
When did Edgar the Peaceful become king?
-AD 959.
-He was the great grandson of Alfred the Great.
Who became king after Edgar the Peaceful died?
-Edward, son of Edgar and Unknown woman.
-AD 975.
Who became king after Edward was murdered?
-His half-brother Aethelred, son of Edgar and Aelthfryth.
-AD 978.
When was the Battle of Maldon?
11th August 991
What was the lead up to the Battle of Maldon under King Aethelred?
-991, Viking army, led by (Dane) Sven Forkbeard and Olaf Tryggvason (Norwegian), arrived at Folkestone with fleet of over 90 ships.
-Defeated English at Battle of Maldon on 11th August 991. Aethelred paid them Danegeld to leave, by raising taxes which angered the English.
-To stop paying Danegeld, Aethelred made a deal with the Normans, that they would support each other. Meant that Vikings could not use Normandy as a base of operations.
-He sealed the deal by marrying the Duke’s sister, Emma of Normandy.
What is Danegeld?
Money paid to the Vikings to stop them from attacking England.
What happened in the St Brice’s Day Massacre and the Aftermath?
-St Brice’s Day Massacre= November 1002, Aethelred carries out mass killing of Viking women, children, women that he found south of Danelaw.
-1013, Sven Forkbeard (King of Danes), is angered by massacre, since his sister Gunhilde is also killed. He conquers England and Aethelred flees.
-1014, Forkbeard dies and succeeded by son Cnut. Aethelred returns to England and forces Cnut out and reclaims throne.
-1014-1016, Cnut’s supporters in England rebel, joined by Aethelred’ s son.
-April 1016, Aethelred dies and son Edmund becomes King.
-October 1016, Cnut beats King Edmund at the Battle of Assandun in Essex.
-Cnut and Edmund agree that: Wessex will belong to Edmund; rest of country to Cnut; when one dies, the other will inherit their land and become King.
About a month Later, Edmund dies and Cnut becomes King of all of England.
What was the significance of Emma of Normandy?
-Cnut married her to help him forge his way into England.
-She brought Cnut land with the marriage, expanding his North Sea Empire.
-She improved relations with the Church and helped bring peace in England.
-Both her sons became Kings of England.
When was the St.Brice ‘s Day Massacre?
November 1002
What Kingdoms formed Cnut’s North Empire
Denmark, Norway, parts of Sweden, England
Who was Emma of Normandy?
-Sister of the Duke of Normandy and the widow of Aethelred.
-She united the Vikings and Saxons when she married Aethelred.
Who were Emma of Normandy’s sons?
-Edward (her son with Aethelred)
-Harthacnut (her son with Cnut)
Both become Kings of England.
How did Britain change under Cnut’s rule?
Positive:
-Trustworthy English nobles were left to rule own areas.
-A peaceful time and free of Viking raids.
-Brought back popular and peaceful laws of Edgar the peaceful.
-Saw Britain as man domain rather than colony.
Negatives:
-Hostile takeover at start of reign.
-Tough with Anglo-Saxons he thought would rebel against him.
-Ordered many execution of powerful Anglo-Saxons.
-Transferred riches to Denmark.
-Danish Nobles given land.
Who were the key claimants to throne?
-William Duke of Normandy: claimed both Edward and Harold Godwinson supported his claim to throne.
-Harold Godwinson: most powerful man in England and had support of Witan.
-Harold Hardrada: Ruler of Denmark, and since Vikings had conquered England his thought he should be king.
What is the basic order of kingship as a result of Edward the Confessor’s death?
-After Edward’s death, Witan appointed Harold Godwinson as King.
-September 1066: Hardrada defeated at Battle of Stamford Bridge.
-14th October 1066: Harold is defeated by William Duke of Normandy.
-25th December 1066: William Duke of Normandy crowned King.
How did King William control the English?
-giving Normans land in return for loyalty and support.
-Each Norman Baron and lord had its own knights and soldiers to keep peace.
-gave supporters top jobs in the Church.
-encourage building of castles all over England.
What change did William the Conqueror introduce into England?
-Built many churches, cathedrals and monasteries all over the country.
-French customs introduced.
-French became the main language spoken by the people in power.
What happened when (in terms of power) when William the Conqueror died?
-Died in1087.
-Robert (eldest son) became Duke of Normandy.
-William II (middle son) became became king of England.
-Henry (youngest son) got nothing until his brother died and he became King of England and then defeat Robert to unite kingdoms of Normandy and England.
How and when did Henry I become King of England and Duke of Normandy?
-In 1100, took became King when older brother William II died.
-In 1106 defeated Robert to become Duke of Normandy.
Ruled for 20 years.
What is the Treaty of Wallingford?
-1153
-Agreement/ Peace Treaty between Matilda and Stephen of Blois
How did Henry II become King of England?
-Henry wanted daughter Matilda to rule when he died, so he married her to a powerful French Lord, Geoffrey of Anjou.
-When Henry I died, powerful noble Stephen (his nephew) seized the throne.
-Matilda, daughter of Henry I, fought back against Stephen over next 19 years.
-Agreement was made between the 2 parties in 1153 that Matilda’s son (Henry II) would become king after Stephen died- Treaty of Wallingford
-He became king in October 1154, when Stephen died.
Known as the anarchy.
What lands did Henry II inherit?
-Along with King of England, Henry was also:
-Duke of Normandy.
-Count of Anjou
-Count of Maine
How did Henry II acquire Aquitaine?
-He married Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152.
What happened in the invasion of Ireland?
-In 1166, ‘King’ Dermot of Leinster asked Henry II for help against other Irish ‘Kings’.
-Henry sent army to assist but knights and barons used opportunity to seize land for themselves.
-By mid-1170s, English controlled more land than the Irish.
-Henry used control in Ireland to strengthen and build new fortifications and develop Dublin as a centre of trade and commerce. Gave Henry more money for defence against invading forces.
What happens after Henry II dies?
-Died in 1189.
-Richard I becomes King but spent a lot of reign in France or in crusades. He lost land in France to King Phillip II.
-John become king in 1199 when Richard I dies. Lost remaining of French land only keeping Gascony.
What was John I’s nickname?
John softsword, due to poor military reputation.
What was the collapse of the Angevin Empire (Overview)?
-1189, Henry II dies and his son becomes King Richard I.
-1193, Phillip II of France invades Normandy and Anjou.
-1199, Richard is killed, brother John becomes King. John and Arthur of Brittany are in conflict over land and Arthur is murdered.
-1199, Angevin Empire begins to crumble under John through poor decisions and running out of money.
-1202-1205, Phillip II conquers Normandy, Anjou, Maine and Brittany.
-1216, John dies and with loss of Anjou and other French land, the end of Angevin Empire is marked.
What land of Angevin Empire did John I lose?
-Duchy of Brittany.
-Duchy of Anjou.
-Duchy of Normandy.
-Duchy of Maine.
What was the signing of the Magna Carta?
-John’s poor battle record meant that Angevin Empire was reduced to only Gascony.
-English people had to pay high taxes to pay for attempted invasions to get territory back.
-John did no listen to barons and was viewed as tyrannical
-As a result they raised an army against him and occupied London. John needed their supports to stay in power so accepted their demands.
-In 1215, he signed Magna Carta (foundation of constitutional law), which promised to respect the rights of the barons and to stop the unfair taxes.
When did the Hundred Years War last?
1337-1453
When was the Magna Carta signed?
June 15, 1215
What is Richard 1’s nickname?
Richard the Lionheart
What what were the causes of the Hundred Years War?
Economic:
-Edward III risked losing taxes as French threatened to take over Gascony (where wine is made and sold in England and taxed) as well as Flanders (where British wool was turned into cloth).
Political:
-Edward thought he had a better claim to the French throne than actual French king.
-French offered to help the Scots who Edward was in conflict with.
Social:
-The people Britain would lose business, such as wool trade, and have to pay higher taxes.
What were the Stages of the Hundred Years War?
Stage 1 (1337-1360):
-Edward wins the important battles at Crecy (1346) and Poitiers (1356) and gained control of Gascony, Calais and other territories.
Stage 2 (1370):
-French won back some of the land they had lost.
Stage 3 (1413-1453):
-Henry V became King and leads England into Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
-Henry then conquered Normandy and tighten grip on France.
-After death of Henry V, son takes over and French win most of land back.
-French were inspired by leadership of Joan of Arc.
When were the 3 major Battles in the Hundred Years War?
-Crecy= 1346
-Poitiers= 1356
-Agincourt= 1415
What happened in the Battle of Agincourt?
Turning point of Hundred Years War (1415).
-Henry V moves troops forward and orders archers to fire.
-French try to charge at English, but thick mud and heavy armour and wooden spikes slow them down.
-French continue to charge but bogged by mud and unable to advance. French slaughtered.
-French Survivors flee.
What is the Impact of the Hundreds Years War?
Short Term:
-Some areas of France devasted with buildings, crops and animals destroyed.
-Soldiers and civilians on both sides killed.
Medium Term:
-France unified under one King.
-England lost money because of lost territories such as Normandy.
-Foot soldiers became key element in army.
-Gunpowder, canons and handguns were used more in battle.
-A new and improved taxation system in France employed.
Long Term:
-Increased Nationalist feelings in England and France.
-English Identify developed (developed itself apart from rest of Europe).
-England look to conquer lands outside of Europe and went on to develop an empire further afield.
Who was the first Tudor King?
Henry VII
Who did Henry VII ask to explored the ‘unknown world’?
John Cabot
What made overseas exploration in the late 1400s possible?
-Improvements in technology for ships and navigations made longer journey more successful.
What was the work of Christopher Columbus?
- Explored Americas in 1492 and was linked with Spain.
-Hoped to find new routes to India and China by sea.
-Sailed west which meant he landed in the West Indies.
What was the work of John Cabot?
-Explored Canada in 1496.
-Sailed from Bristol on behalf of King Henry VII.
-Found no riches so returned home.
-Marked start of British Empire.
What was the work of Privateering/ Piracy?
- Would establish bases in Northern America and would explore and plunder riches from Spanish ships and colonies
What is the difference between Privateers and Pirates?
Privateers:
-Granted permission to attack foreign ship and steal from them.
-Anything taken was shared with the monarch.
Those who didn’t share stolen wealth with monarch, known as pirates.
Who was John Hawkins?
Sir John Hawkins (1532-1595):
-Respected English naval commander, merchant, privateer and private.
-Responsible for building up the Elizabethan Royal Navy.
-Cousin of Francis Drake another explorer and slave trader.
-He was Britain’s first slave trader. In 1562 he set sail on first voyage capturing Africans to sell in the Americas. Trip was profitable enough for Queen Elizabeth to fund a second voyage in 1564.
-Slave Trade made him rich and knighted by Elizabeth I in 1588.
Why did people go to the Americas?
Economic Factors:
-More Britons were willing to go to Americas after first colony established in 1607.
-There was Plenty of land for new ‘cash crops’ grown on plantations. Crops exported back to Britain for great profit.
Imperialist Ideas:
-Businessmen set up plantations in North America and West Indies.
-British Investors were keen to develop trade in Americas to help pay for growth of British Empire elsewhere.
-Exporting and Importing within Empire made further profit.
Religious Factors:
-Groups such as Puritans and Catholics wanted to escape religious conflict, so left for freedom.
How did plantations replace piracy?
-British Empire grew and became more profitable, so monarchs stopped granting privateer permissions.
-By 1720s piracy was rare and plantations were more profitable for Britain.
-However there were problems Brits found when working on plantations: Hard Conditions, New Diseases, Hot Weather, Crop Failures and Food Shortages.
-Therefore people did not want to work on Plantations, so British used Indentured Servants for Labour.
-By 1619, plantation owners however realised that it was cheaper to enslave people.
What is and Indentured Servant?
-Servant who paid for their passage to a new country by signing a contract stating that they would work for a certain number of years for their master.
How did the British use Barbados?
-British took control of Barbados in 1625 and soon established tobacco plantations.
-Was largest British colony of enslaved people by 1655 and by 1690, most of island was covered in sugar plantations.
-It was seen as a place not top settle but to make profit from slavery.
Why were slaved favoured over Indentured Servants from plantations?
-Enslaved people were a cheap source of labour.
-Plantation owners could buy enslave people outright, unlike indentured servants.
-Enslaved people had no rights, so they worked without payment.
-Any children born of enslaved people became their owner’s property, further increasing size of the unpaid workforce.
What is the name given to the system, by which Africans were taken to Americas and West-Indies?
Slave Triangle
What was the processes if the Salve Triangle?
1) Traders leave Britain, headed for Africa with ships full of goods.
2)Traders trade the goods with tribesmen for prisoners from other African tribes as well as kidnap them.
3)In the Americas, enslaved people are traded to plantations for goods such as sugar, cotton, tobacco.
How much could slave traders make from trading enslaved people?
800% return on investment.
How were people directly/ indirectly involved with the slave trade?
- Investors such as the monarchs Elizabeth I and Charles II, who gave money and resources to help individuals with slave trade.
-Shop owners sold sugar and tobacco from the plantations.
-Workers turned cotton grown on plantations into shirts.
-Dockworkers unloaded ships full of cotton that slaves grew.
-Bankers lent money to traders.
-Shipbuilders and ship owners provided the means for transportation.
-Charles II was a partner in Royal Africa Company which transported 60,000 slaves between 1680 and 1688. Many slaves were branded with ‘DY’ representing the Duke of York, the future James II.
What are the Economic Impacts of the Slave Trade?
-Many people benefited and made money from Slave Trade.
-British Slave Trade industry made around £60 million between 1761-1808.
-It caused Britain to become one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world.
What are the Social Impacts of the Slave Trade?
-West Coast Towns and ports (Glasgow, Liverpool, Bristol) grew into large cities because of money from slave trade.
-Many fine buildings built on the profits of slavery.
-With many countries involved with slavery, it led to the belief that Europeans were superior to Africans.
What happened in the move to remove slavery?
-1807, British Parliament abolish the slave trade.
-1833, Slave ownership was banned in the whole British Empire but government paid £20 million in compensation to previous slave owner for there “loss of property”.
What Economic Reasons British people move to North America?
Economic Factors:
-High Levels of unemployment in Britain.
-Low wages for farmers and labourers.
-Failed harvests caused starvation.
-In North America, plantations gave chance to earn lots of money.
-North American seas were filled with profitable cod.
What Religious Reasons British people move to North America?
Religious Factors:
-Christian groups (Puritans, Quakers and Catholics) had suffered persecution in Britain.
-Failure to attend Anglican services was punishable by death.
-North America had different religious groups so there was religious freedom.
-Some religious groups wanted to migrate to convert indigenous people to Christianity.
What War Reasons British people move to North America?
War Factors:
-Civil War in Britain had resulted increased conflict between religious groups.
When was Jamestown set up?
1607
What happened in the early settlement of Jamestown?
-Businessmen arrived who had permission of James I settled here in order to find gold and grow crops.
-There were conflict between indigenous and early settlers.
-Settlers had to rely on local tribes to help find and grow food.
-With this support they began to farm successfully with commodities such as tobacco.
What happened in the early settlement of New Plymouth?
-Puritans arrived on the Mayflower, who would become known as the Pilgrim Fathers, to escape religious persecution.
-Set up religious colony with aim of fishing and trading.
-Farmed offshore cod and established democratic principles and a constitution to keep Puritan belief central to life.
-The rules would become the foundation of modern America.
When was New Plymouth founded?
1620
Who was Sir Walter Raleigh?
-Sea Captain for both Queen Elizabeth I and King James I.
-In 1584, he was sent to set up colonies in Virginia and established Roanoke (first colony)
-Settlers in Roanoke faced problems with crops and supplies. The had problems with Indigenous Americans and also caught diseases such as malaria.
-The colony was a failure but Raleigh is still known as ‘Father of American Colonies’.
What was the Impact of Europeans on the Indigenous Americans?
-Good Relations initially existed with some native tribes but British did not treat them with respect.
-Many tribes wiped out by diseases that the settlers brought across.
-British settlers attacked their crops and villages.
-In 1500, there were 560,000 indigenous in ‘British territories’ and then 280,000 fewer in 1700.
-Many indigenous American tribes moved inland to avoid settlers.
-Indigenous way of life was wiped out and had to adapt to European styles.
What is the Population of Indigenous Americans now?
-0.7% of total population now.
What are the ‘Long Term’ causes of tension between the American colonists and the British?
-Many colonists were ‘self-made’ businesspeople and saw British class system as outdated. Although they made fortunes from plantations and slave trade, many believed that anyone could make success themselves, no matter the background.
-America had a strong economy that didn’t reply on trade with Britain. Colonists traded commodities such as slaves and indentured people as well as goods. They thought the could exist without Britain.
-The Navigation Acts (1651-73) meant that only British goods could be imported to America.
-This monopoly of trade with just the British restricted the type and amount of goods that could be brought to Britain. This meant that prices were also high.
