Life In the UK Flashcards
What is the difference between United kingdom of Great britain (British isles), Great Britain, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories?
United Kingdom Of Great Britain (Eng, Sco, NI, Wales) = (British Isles/British) - UK governed by parliament, but Scot, Wales, NI also have parliaments Great Britain ( Eng, Sco, Wales) Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man, Channel Islands) Overseas territories ( St Helena & Falkland islands)
How long ago was the Stone, Bronze and Iron Age and how did they live?
(Stone 10,000)- (Bronze 6000) -(Iron 4000)-
Hunter gatherers first (Stone age) when britain was connected to channel (separated 10,000 ago)
First farmers 6000 ago. Made stone henge wiltshire and Skara brae in orkney Scot
4000 ago, bronze age (metal workers) made tools, ornaments etc Maiden Castle - Hillfort in Dorset
Iron age followed - coins introduced
Celtic language spoken
When were roman unsuccessful and successful attempt at invading Britain?
55bc Julius Caesar’s first attempt to invade Britain unsuccessful (for over 100 years.
In AD43 Emperor Cladius successfully invaded Britain, fighting Boudicca the queen of Icena ( eastern eng)
Scot never conquered by romans - Emperor Hadrian built Hadrians wall (w/fort of housesteads and vindolanda can still be seen) to keep out the PICTS (ancestors of the scottish people)
Romans remained for 400 years, building roads, law, new plants + animals
First christian community appears in 3rd + 4th centuries AD.
Anglo - Saxons 410AD - established by AD600 ( Scot and wales remained anglo saxon free)
Romans left 410AD to defend other parts of empire leading to Britain being invaded again by JUTES, ANGLOS & SAXONS of Northern europe - Languages they spoke are basis of todays english
AS were not christians, missionaries came to preach. IRISH MISSIONARIES SPREAD RELIGION IN NORTH - MOST FAMOUS IS ST PATRICK WHO BECAME PATRON SAINT OF IRELAND. AND ST IONA, FOUNDED MONASTERY ON ISLAND OF IONA SCOT.
ST AUGUSTINE (FIRST ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY) LED MISSIONARIES FORM ROME, WHO SPREAD CHRISTIANITY IN SOUTH.
AS King buried with treasure under mound at sutton Hoo in suffolk.
The Vikings AD 789 (from Norway, Denmark and Sweden)
Anglo Saxon communities united under King Alfred the great to defeat vikings.
Many Viking invaders stayed in Britain (E+N, Danelow, Grimsby, Scunthorpe - viking words) they mixed with local communities
In the North threat of Viking invasion caused people to united under King Kenneth Macalpin - SCOTLAND used to describe country
The Norman Conquest (1066) Last successful foregin invasion of england, invaded wales but they won it back, did not invade scotland due to war
William Duke of Normandy defeated Harold Saxon king of England at the battle of Hastings. William now became William the conqueror. Battle commemorated by embroidery known as bayeux tapestry (70m linen cloth)
Invasion brought about norman french, influenced english.
William drew up lists of all towns, villages and settlers, who owned land and animals. CALLED THE DOMESDAY BOOK
The Middle Ages (Medieval periods) from AD476- 1485 (almost constant war)
Fights between kings of eng, wales, scot and irish for land. England established rule of wales.
1284 KING EDWARD I OF ENGLAND INTRODUCED THE STATUTE OF RHUDDLAN, WHICH ANNEXED WALES TO THE CROWN OF ENGLAND. Conwy and caernarvon castle were built to maintain power. END OF 15th CENTURY LAST WELSH REBELLIONS DEFEATED. ENGLISH LANG + LAWS INTRODUCED
1314 ,SCOT LED BY ROBERT THE BRUCE, DEFEAT ENGLAND IN BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN LEAVING SCOT UNCONQUERED BY ENG
Start of middle ages Ire was an independent country, Eng first went to Ire ro help irish king but stayed to make settlements. 1200 engl rule
English kings fought a long war in france called the 100 years, (116 years) Battle of Agincourt in 1415 was most famous where king Henry V vastly out numbered army defeated the french. Eng left Fra in 1450s.
The Black Death 1348 - wiped out a third of England and scotland and wales, in ireland killed many people in the pale, reducing english pop in ireland
Normans used land ownership system called feudalism - Kind gave land to his lords in return for help in war, land owners had to send men to help in war. Lords had serfs working for them and had some of their lords land to grow crops
Legal and Political Changes (1215) Magna Carter
The Magna Carta meant even king was subject to law. Restricted kings power to collect tax or make law changes. Mandatory involvement of noblemen in kings decisions
This formed the houses in parliament.
(Eng) House of Lords -> Nobility, Great Landowners & Bishops
(Eng) House of Commons -> Knights (small land) + The wealthy (city)
(Scot) Three houses, or estates, The lords, the commons + clergy
Judges also made independent of the government
(Eng) - judges followed common law, from precedence + tradition
(Scot) - judges followed codified written law
A distinct Identity
Modern English was formed after William the conqeuer invaded England. English was a combination of Anglo-Saxon and Norman French. By 1400 english was the spoken language in parliament and official documents were in english as well.
(1400) The canterbury tales are English poems by Geoffrey Chaucer about a pilgrimage to Canterbury. The pilgimagers told these stories to each other on the way. These stories were printed by William Caxton (first books to be printed, printing press used).
In Scot, Gaelic was still spoke but scot language developed, poets wrote in scots language. Ex, John barbour wrote the bruce about the batter of bannockburn.
Many castles and stain glass cathedrals(telling biblical stories) were built, eg. Windsor, York minister, Lincoln.
Wool export and trading was high. Many came to work in the Uk such as Weavers from france, glassblowers from italy and canal builders from holland
The War of the Roses(1455) Civil war between House of Lancaster and House of York to decide who would be king of England
Lancaster symbol was a red rose, York white, House of Tudor red and white to symbolise alliance.
The war ended with the battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 with King Richard III being defeated. Henry Tudor leader of house of Lancaster became King Henry VII. Henry Married King Richards niece, Elizabeth of York becoming the first King of House of Tudor. This was the inception of the red and white rose of House of Tudor.
The Tudors & Stuarts (Henry VIII king from 1509-1547)
After victory in war of roses, Henvry II strengthened central administration, reduced nobles power and built up monarchys financial reserves to keep England peaceful and affirm in kingship. When he died Henry VIII carried on his policy.
Henry had 6 wives
Catherine of Aragon - Spanish princess, had many kids but no son, divorced to try for a son
Anne Boleyn - English, had 1 daughter, executed at tower of london
Jane Symour - Married after Annes execution, had 1 son but died soon after
Anne of Cleves - German, married for political reasons, divorced
Catherine Howard - cousin of Anne, executed too
Catherine Parr - Widow who married Henry late, she survived Henry
Henry couldnt get permission from the pope to divorce his first wife, so he established the church of england which he led, and had the power to appoint bishops and order how people worshiped
At the same time as the reformation was happening around europe. This was a movement against the Pope and ideas of roman catholic church. The protestants formed their own church. Read the bible in their own language instead of latin, they didnt pray to saints and believed a persons relationship with god was more important than submitting to the church. Protestant ideas gained strength in England, Wales and Scotland during the 16th century
In Ireland attempts to impose Protestantism, as well as efforts to impose english law system about land inheritance, led to a rebellion from Irish Chieftains, and caused brutal fighting.
During Henry VIII rain, wales became formally united with England by the act for the Government of Wales. The Welsh sent representatives to the House of commons and the welsh language was reformed.
Henry VIII was succeeded by his son Edward VI, who was strongly protestant. During his reign the book of common prayer was written to be used in the church of england.
Edward died at 15 after ruling for just 6 years, his half sister Mary became queen. Mary was a devout Catholic and persecuted protestants, for this reason she became bloody Mary also died after a shorn rein and the next monarch was her half sister, Queen Elizabeth I, the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
Queen Elizabeth I was a protestant, she reestablished the church of England. She forced everyone to attend their local church, she found a good balance between extreme protestants and catholics. She was popular, especially after 1566, when the spanish armada were defeated when sent to conquer spain.
The Reformation in Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots
In 1560 the predominantly protestant Scottish parliament abolished the authority of the pope. Roman catholic religious services became illegal. A protestant church of scotland was formed, unlike England it wasnt a state church.
The Queen of scotland, Mary Stuart often called Mary, Queen of Scots was a catholic. She was oly a week old when her father died and she became the queen. She spent a lot of her childhood in France. When she went back to Scotland she was the centre of power. When her husband was murdered she was suspected of involvement and she fled to England. She gave her throne to her Protestant sone James VI of Scotland. Mary was Elizabth Is cousin and hoped she would help her, Elizabeth imprisoned her for 20 years on suspicion of plotting against her, she was eventually executed.
Exploration, Drama and Poetry
Sir Francis Drake, one of the commanders of the fleet that defeated the spanish armada, was one of the founders of the naval tradition. His ship was one of the first to circumnavigate the world. English settlers began to colonise the eastern coast of america.
The Elizabethan period is remembered for the richness in poetry and drama, especially William Shakespear. (playwright, actor)
His works; A midsummer nights dream, hamlet, macbeth and romeo and juliet. He also created english words. Some of his famous quotes. Once more unto the breach. To be or not to be. A rose by any other name. All the worlds stage. The darlings buds of may.
James VI and I. Elizabeth never married and so had no children of her own to inherit her throne. Jame the VI of Scotland became James I king of england when Elizabeth died in 1603.
King Jame creted a new translation of the bible, the king james version, used in protestant churches. Not the first english bible
During this time ireland was entirely catholic. Henry VII and VIII had extended english control outside the pale and extended english control over the whale country. Henry VIII took title King of Ireland - english laws were introduced, people had to follow rules of Lord Lieutenents in Dublin.
During the reigns of Elizabeth I and JAmes I - many in Ireland opposed rule of protestant government in England. Many rebellions. The government advised english and scottish protestants to settle in Ulster, northern area of ireland taking over land from catholic holders. Settlements known as plantations. Many came from south west scotland and other land was given to companies based in london. James later organised similar plantations in several other parts of ireland - this has long term consequences on the history of england, ireland and scotland
The Rise of Parliament
Elizabeth I good at managing parliament. She did well balancing her wishes between the house of commons and lords which was increasingly protestnat in its views.
James I and his son Charles I were less skilled politically, both believe in the divine rights of the kings. The idea that the king was directly appointed by the king to rule. They thought the king should be able to act without seeking advise from parliament.
When Charles I took the throne of england, scotland and wales he tried to rule in line with his principle, raising money without parliaments advise, for 11 years he managed it before eventually having trouble in scotland and having to recall parliament.
The Beginning of the the English Civil War (Charles I trying to impose revised prayer book to Presbyterian)
Charles I wanted to worship of C of E to involve more ceremony, so he introduced a revised prayer book. He tried to introduce the book to Presbyterian church of scotland and this led to unrest. A scottish army was foremd and charles couldnt find money to create his own without parliament. In 1640 he recalled parliament to ask for funds.
Many in parliament were Puritans, protestants who advocated strict simple doctrine + worship. They didnt agree with the Kings religious views and disliked him reforms of C of E. Parliament refused to give the king money he asked even when scotland invaded england.
Another rebellion caused by roman catholics in ireland worried about growing puritans.Parliament demanded control of english army, this would draw power from ing to parliament. Charles I entered the house of commons trying to arrest the 5 parliamentary leaders, who had been warned and werent there. Civil war began between the people that supported the king(Cavaliers) and parliament (roundheads) 1642.
Oliver Cromwell and the English Republic (1646 Parliament had clearly won war)
The kings army was defeated in the Battle of Marston Moor and Naseby, charles was held prisoner by the parliamentary Army. He was unwilling to reach any agreement and was executed in 1649.
England declared itself a republic called the commonwealth, it no longer had a monarch. It was unclear how the country would be governed. Army was in control. Oliver Cromwell was a general sent from Ireland when the revolt began in 1641 and still continued where there was a royalist army.
Cromwell established authority in parliament, but did so with so much violence.
The scottish did not agree with the execution of Charles I and declared Charles II as king and went to war with england at the battle of Dunbar and Worcester, Cromwell won the war. Charles II escaped from Worcester by hiding in an oak tree on one occasion then fled to europe. Parliament now controlled scotland england and wales.
After campaign in Ireland and victory over Charles II at Worcester, Cromwell was recognised as leader of republic. He was given title Lord Prosecutor and ruled until 1658 when he died. His son Richard became Lord Prosecutor but was not able to control the government or the army. After 11 years there was no clear system or government people began to talk of the ned for a king.
The Restoration (1660 Charles II was invited back to England from Netherlands to be crowned as king of Scotland, Wales England and Ireland)
He understood he could not do as he wished and travel, and would have to reach agreements with parliament. Generally parliament supported his policies, C of E was restablished, both puritans and catholics were kept out of power
During Charles II a plague killed thousands in london in 1665. The following year there was a great fire that destroyed a of london, inc st pauls cathedral.
London was rebuilt, including St pauls designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Samuel Pepys wrote about these events in a diary
HABEAS CORPUS BECAME LAW IN 1679 - LATIN FOR YOU MUST BE PRESENT IN COURT. THE ACT GUARANTEED NO ONE COULD BE HOLD PRISONER UNLAWFULLY.
Charles II was interested in science, he formed the royal society formed to promote natural knowledge (oldest scientific society in the world). Early members were Sir Edmund Halley, who predicted the return of Haleys comet and Sir Isaac Newton.
Sir Isaac Newton, born in Lincolnshire, studied science at Cambridge. He published mathematical principles of natural philosophy hich showed how gravity applied to he whole universe. He discovered white light was made from colours of the rainboy.
A Catholic King (died in 1685, his Catholic brother took the throne and became King James II in England, Wales Ireland and King James the VII in Scotland)
James favoured roman catholics,and allowed them to be army officers, which an act of parliament had forbidden. He arrested some of the bishops of the C of E and didnt seek to reach agreement with parliament.
People in england worried worried that james wanted to make england a catholic country, but hhis Heirs were Protestant, people thought there would be a protestant monarch again. Suddenly James’ wife had a son, suddenly people worried the monrach wouldnt be protestant soon again.
The Glorious Revolution
James’ II daughter, Mary, married her cousin William, the protestant ruler of NEtherlands. In 1688, important protestands of Netherlands asked William to invade england and proclaim himself king. When William reached england he met no resistance, he became Willaim III of england, wales and ireland and william II of Scotland.
William ruled jointly with Mary, known as the Glorious Revolution due to no fighting in england because parliament guaranteed power, ending the threat of a monarch ruling his or her own way.
James II wanted to regain his throne and invaded ireland with the help of a french army. William defeated James II at battle of Boyne in ireland in1960, an event still celebrated in NI.
William reconquered Ireland and James fled back to france. Many restrictions were placed on roman catholic church in Ireland and irish catholics were unable to take part in government.
There was also support for James in scotland, armed rebellion in support of James were quickly defeated at Killiecrankie. All scot clans were required to take an oath to formally accept William as king. The Macdonalds of Glencoe were lake in taking the oath and were all killed. The memory of the massacre meant some Scots distrusted the new government.
Kings of England and Scotland
England, Wales & Ireland Scotland James I = James VI (Scot) James II= James VII(Scot) William III=William II(Scot)
Constitutional Monarchy - Bill of Rights (The Bill of rights, 1689, confirmed the rights of Parliament and limited the power of the King) King couldnt raise taxes or administer justice without consulting Parliament.
Also meant parliament took control of who could be king and that the king had to be protestant
New parliament had to be elected every 3 years. Every year the king had to request renewal of funding for navy and army.
These changes meant to govern effectively the monarch needed advisers or ministers who would be able to ensure majority votes in the house of commons and lords.
Two main parties were the conservatives and the whigs.
Free press was developed, free newspapers and other publications independently controlled.
The laws passed after the Glorious Revolution are the beginning of what is called the constitutional monarchy. The monarch was still powerful but couldnt insist on particular policy or actions in parliament didnt agree.
After William III ministers slowly became more important than the monarch. Very few people in parliament could vote, only men that owned property over a certain value could vote. Women couldn’t vote. Some constituencies were owned by single wealthy families, these were called pocket boroughs. Other constituencies had hardly any voters, these were called rotten boroughs.
A growing population
First jews to come to Britain since middle ages came in 1656.
From 1680 to 170 many french refugees called Huguenots came, they were protestants and wrer persecuted for their religion, may were educated
The act or treaty of union in Scotland ( Treaty of Union signed in 1707, creating the Kingdom of great Britain.
William and Mary’s successor Anne, had no surviving children so treaty signed.
Scotland no longer an independent country but had its own education system and presbytarian church.
The prime minister (Robert Walpole 1721-1742)
Queen Anne died in 1714, Parliament chose George I a German to be the next king, he was Annes closest relative. Attempt by Jacobites to put George II’s son was quickly defeated
George I did not speak good english so he relied on his ministers. The most important Minister in parliament was known as the Prime minister.
The First prime minister was Robert Walpole, from 1721-1742
The Rebellion of the Clans (1745 attempt to put a Stuart King back to the Throne in place of George I’s son)
Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie), the grandson of James II, landed in Scotland. He was supported by clansmen from Scottish highlands and rased an army. Charles was defeated by Georges II army in battle of Culloden in1746, Charles escaped back to europe.
Clans lost power and influence after Culloden. Chieftains became landlords if they had favour of the english king, clansmen became tenants.
A process known as highland clearances began, many scottish landlords destroyed individual farms (crofts) to make space for large flocks of livestock. MAny scots left for north america
ROBERT BURNS - Known as the bard in scotland, scottish poet. He wrote in the scots language, english w/scot words,and standard eng. Revised a lot of trad folk. Best known song is Auld lang syne, sun on NYE.
The Enlightenment (18th Century, new ideas about Politics, Philosophy and Science)
Many scottish thinkers, eg Adam smith economist.
David humes ideas about human nature (philosophy)
James watts work on steam power.
Main product of period was entitlement to your own religion + political view.
The Industrial revolution (rapid development of industry in 18th century)
Before this, agriculture was main source of employment, many cottage industries Britain first country due to use of steam power making agriculture and manufacturing of goods mechanised, more efficient and more production. Coal and other raw materials were needed to power new factories. Many moved from countryside to cities. Development of Bessemer process for mass production of steel led to development of shipbuilding industry + railways. Manufacturing jobs became main source of income. RICHARD ARKWRIGHT (1732) Trained and worked as a barber, he was able to dye hair and make wigs. When wigs became less popular he began work in textiles and improved the original cording machine. Carding is a process of preparing fibres for spinning into yarn and fabric. He also developed horse driven spinning mills that only use one machine. Later he used steam engines to power machinery, he is remembered for the efficient and profitable way that he ran his factories Better transport links required for raw materials + goods. Canals were built, esp in new industrial areas. Work conditions were poor, no laws to protect employees, people forced to work long dangerous ours, children worked too. Colonisation increased overseas, James cook mapped the coast of australia and a few colonies were established there. Britain gained control of canada, the east india company, originally set up to trade gain control over large parts of indian, colonies began to be established in southern africa. Braitian traded all over the world and began to import more goods. Sugar + tobacco came from nA and West indies. Textiles, tea and spices from india and indonesia. Trading and settlements overseas brought britain a lot of conflict with other countries, particularly in france, which was also expanding and trading in similar ways in similar parts of the world SAKE DEAN MOHAMET grew up in bengal region of india. Served in bengal army and came to britain in 1782, Moved to ireland and eloped with an irish woman called jane daly in 1786. He opened a curry house in london in 1810 called the Hindoostane coffee house in george street. They introduced shampooing to britain
The Slave Trade ( booming slave trade in 18th cent. ) Illegal in British ports in 1807, 1833 Emancipation act signed stopping slave trade in british colonies
Slave trade illegal in Britain. West africa to america and caribbean to work on sugar and tobacco plantations.
William wilberforce + The quakers first to oppose in late 1700s.
William wilberforce evangelical christian
Emancipation act - Royal navy began stopping ships with slaves and freeing them and punishing traders
The American War of independence (1789 french revolution declared war on Britain)
Napoleon became emperor of France continued the war.
Britains navy fought spanich and french fleets, winning in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Admiral Nelsons column in Trafalgar square in london is monument to him, he was killed in the battle. His ship HMS victory is in portsmouth.
In 1815 the french wars ended with the defeat of Emporer Napoleon by Duke of Wellington at the battle of Trafalgar, Wellington was known as Iron Duke and became the prime minister.
The Union Flag (Act of Union 1800, Ireland unites with England, Wales and Scotland)
Despite Ireland having the same Monarch as England and Wales since Henry VIII, it had remained a separate country. In 1801 Ireland became unified with england wales and scotland after the Act of Union 1800
Symbol of the union was the Union Jack. It had the cross of St George (red cross white background), Cross of St Andrew, patron of scotland, ( diagonal white cross on blue) and Cross of St Patrick, patron of Ireland, (diagonal red cross on white).
Welsh dragon does not appear on Union flag because the first Union flag was created in 1606 from flags of scotland and england, the principality of wales was already united with England.
The victorian age ( 1937 - 1901 Queen victoria takes throne at 18, britain increased in power + influence abroad, within UK middle classes became increasingly significant, led to reformers who worked for better lower class conditions.
The British Empire ( british Empire grows to 400 million, covering India, australia + lots of africa)
Many advised to leave europe and settle overseas. 1853 - 1913 13 million brits went overseas.
Many travelled to Uk eg 120,000 polish russian and jews between 1870-1914 to escape persecution, many stayed in east london and manchester + leeds.
People from empire also came to UK
Trade and Industry (Government abolished a number of taxes on imports, eg repealing of Corns Laws in 1846 (cheaper corn) , allowed cheaper import of raw materials)
Work conditions got slightly better, in 1847 work hours limited to 10 hours a day.
Better housing had to be built for workers
Transport links improved, allowing easier transport for goods.
George and Robery Stephenson pioneered the railway engine and major expansion took place, railways built throughout the empire
Building of bridges occuring, like Clipton suspension by Isambard Kingdom Brunel from portsmouth. He was responsible for building the Great Western railway from paddington to SW england, the west midlands and wales.
British industry let the world, in 19th century the UK produced more than half the worlds iron, coal and cotton.
Uk became centre for banking and financial services.
Great Exhibit in 1851 (hyde park crystal palace), ranging from huge machines to handmade goods, from worldwide.
The Crimean War 1853-1856 (Britain allied with Turkey and France to fight Russia, first war extensively covered by the media, many soldiers died from illnesses caught in hospitals)
Introduction of the Victoria Cross during this war
Florence nightingale - born in italy to eng parents. 31 she trained as nurse in germany, then went to turkey and worked in military hospitals treating soldiers of crimean war. She and her fellow nurses greatly improved conditions for patients and reduced mortality rate. She established the nightingale training school for nurses at St thomas hospital in london. Considered founder of modern nursing.
Ireland in the 19th century ( ⅔ population dependant on farming, conditions not as good. Potatoes main food )
Potato crop fell in middle in century causing a famine, a million people died of starvation and disease. Another million and a half left Ireland, some to US others to England. By 1861 there was a large population of Irish in (Liverpool, London, Manchester + Glasgow)
Irish Nationalist movement had grown strongly. Fenians favoured complete independence others such as Charles Stuart PArnell advocated ‘home rule’, remaining in the UK with separate Parliament.
The right to vote (Reform act of 1832 greatly increased the number of people that could vote - abolished old pocket and rotten boroughs)
More parliamentary seats given to towns and cities, power shifted from countryside to town but was still based on ownership of property A movement began to allow working class to vote without property, campaigners known as chartists presented petitions to parliament. In 1867 (more urban seats in parliament) there was another reform act, reduced amount of property people needed to vote. Majority of men + no women could vote. Politicians realised increased number of voters meant they needed to persuade more ‘commoners’. Universal suffrage(right for everyone to vote) followed in the next century. Women in 19th century had fewer rights to vote. Until 1870 when a woman got married all her possesions belonged to her husband. Acts of parliament in 1870 and 1882 gave wives right to keep thier earnings and pwoperties. In late 19th and 20th century increased number of women voted for more rights in particular to vote. They formed the suffragettes. EMMELINE PANKHURT - Born in manchester,set up womens franchise leage in 1889 which fought to get the vote in local elections for married women. She helped found the Womens social and political Union. First group to have members called suffragettes, using civil disobedience. Committed arson, chained to railways and smashed windows. Many went on hunger strike. In 1918 women over 30 could vote and could stand in parliament, partly in recognition of the contribution women made to the first world war. Shortly after Pankhurts death women over 21 could vote - same as men.
The future of the Empire ( conflicting opinions on empire) Boer war 1899 - 1903
The Boer War war made discussions about empire more urgent. British went to war in south africa with settlers from Netherlands called boers. Many died from disease. A lot of sympathy for Boers and many begun to question the empire.
As different parts of the empire developed they wont greater freedom and autonomy. By the second half of the 20th century there was transition from empire to commonwealth with countries being granted independence.
RUDYARD KIPPLING - Born in India lived in india, Usa and UK. His poems reflected the idea that the Empire was for the good. He was awarded a nobel prize in literature in 1907. Books include Jungle book and Just so stories. Still popular today.
The 20th Century (28th June 1914 Franz Ferdinand of Austria assassinated sparking chain of events leading to WW1) 1914 - 1918 at 11am on 11th November
Uk Thriving (empire, social wellbeing, FSM, pensions, better workplace, no more slums) local government became more democratic, pay for MPs introduced/
Assassination was trigger, but tension over growing imperialism, militarism and nationalism.
Whole british empire was involved. 40,000 indians were killed.
Fought against Ottoman empire, Austro hungarian empire and later bulgaria.
2 million british casualties. One battle attack on Somme in july 1916 saw 60,000 british casualties on first day alone.
The Partition of Ireland (1913 British promised home rule, Ireland to be self governing with its own Parliament but still part of UK
Home rule bill introduced in Parliament, it was opposed by Protestants in the North of Ireland who threatened to resist home rule.
Outbreak of WWI led to british government postponing changed to ireland. Irish nationalists were not willing to wait and in 1916 there was an uprising (easter rising) against the british in dublin. The leaders of the uprising were killed under military law, a guerilla war against the british army and police in ireland followed.
In 1921 a peace treaty signed and in 1922 Ireland became two countries.
The 6 countries in the north which were mainly protestant remained part of the UK and under the name northern island. The rest became the Irish free state and had its own government and became a republic in 1949.
The Inter war period ( 1920s living conditions were better , improvement to housing etc 1929 great depression)
1930 depression felt differently in parts of UK, heavy industries affected badly such as ship building. Aviation and automobile industry thrived. As prices fell those in work had more to spend. Car ownership doubled from 1 million to 2 million between 1930 and 39. Many new houses built
cultural boom, writers such as Graham Greene and Evelyn Waugh prominent. The economist John Maynard Keynes published influential new theories of economics. The BBC started radio broadcasts in 1922 and began worlds first regular TV service in 1936.
The Second World War - (Hitler 1933, felt WWI sanctions were too strict, invading Poland in 1939 triggering WWII)
War fought between axis powers, Facist germany and italy and japanese empire and the allies. Allies incl, UK, France, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and SA.
Germany occupied Austria, Czechoslovakia, Belgium and Netherlands. In 1940 advancing through France, Churchill came to power.
As France fell Britain began to evacuate British + French soldiers from France in huge naval operation. Civilian volunteers in small boats and fishing boats from britain helped the navy rescue more than 300,000 men from beaches of Dunkirk. Evcuation gave brith to phrase the Dunkirk spirit
From 1940-41 until german invasion of soviet union, britain and empire fought almost alone against germany.
Hiter wanted to invade britain, they wanted to control the air first and waged war. The british won the crucial war known as the Battle of Britain in summer of 1940. Most important places used were spit fires and hurricanes - built in britain. Germans carried on bombing London and Uk at night, called the Blitz, mainly east london. Strong national spirit despite bombing, phrase Blitz spirit arose.
