Unit 1
1. What was the British Empire? What do you know about it? In what way is the “Empire” still felt in Britain and in the international field?
The British empire was established from the colonial age and reached culminated in the Victorian Age.It consisted of the Great Britain and its colonies world wide---India, American continent, south Asia, Iran and so on.The empire was supported by the unmatched a power of this country and resource from the colonies helped sustain the keeping and growth of the empire.
The remnants of the empire can be felt in the Commonwealth of Nations which is a very loo organization between what ud to be British colonies (Canada, Australia, ).The ethnic and religious diversity of Britain formed by the mass migration of residents from Commonwealth countries. The huge sum of overas investment is also a continuation of the business pattern of imperial time.
2.Not impossible to sum up British people
First, the British people are made of different elements. Secondly, UK now is a multiracial society, and the recent groups of immigrants have brought aspects of their own culture with them which sit side by side with more traditionally British way of life. Thirdly, Britain is divided economically; it’s a society with a class-structure. And the region differenced is very obvious, for example, the south is wealthier than the north. And there is also the difference between the capital and other provinces. So English people differs in many ways and it’s impossible to sum up them in a few words.
3.A history of invasion
1 In the 43AD Britain was invaded by the Roman Empire and England and Wales became part of the Roman Empire for nearly 400 years.
激励成语Influence: one of the best known English legend, the story of King Arthur, derives from this time and has been embellished by singers, poets, novelists and even filmmakers ever since.
2 In the late 8th century, raiders from Scandinavia, the ferocious Vikings, threatened the Britain shores. Large areas of northern and eastern England were under their control.
Influence: Until today, there is still certain cultural divide between northerners and southerners. The richer southerners tend to think northerners as less sophisticated than themlves, while northerners think southerners arrogant and unfriendly. They also have different accent.
3 In 1066, the descendants of Vikings crosd the English Channel under William of Normandy. This marks the last time that an army from the outside the British Isles succeeded in invading. 小孩半夜咳嗽
Influence: the Tower of London built by William. Imported ruling class. The next 30 years may be thought of as a Norman aristocracy ruling a largely Saxon and English-speaking population.
4. What are some general characteristics of Scotland? How did Scotland become part of Great Britain?
Scotland is the cond largest of the four nations of Great Britain. It was the most rugged part of the UK with scarcely populated mountains in the north and south. Most people live in the low land. It has a very strong n of regional identity and the unique culture.凉拌面条 Speaking in history it was not conquered by Rome nor Anglo-Saxons and was unified by itlf.
There existed a wide range of marriage between aristocrats and even royal families between England and Scotland. In 1603, when Queen Elizabeth the First died childless, James the Sixth of Scotland became inherited the throne and became James the First of England, thus the two countries was united under the same kingship. In 1707 by the agreement of the English and Scottish parliament, Scotland joined the Union. Several rebellions were quelled by the English and in this way, clan culture of Scotland was destroyed. In Scotland Act in 1998, the Scotts were granted rights to establish their own government while it remains to be part of Britain.
4.Describe characteristics of Wales and Wales’ unification with Great Britain.
Smallest among the three nations on the British mainland, larger than NI. Hillier and more rugged than adjacent parts of England. Dominated by England for longer than other nations of the Union. Despite the nearness and long-standing political integration, it remains a powerful n of its difference from England. Retains its own language—Welsh. Rich coal deposit, and coal-mining is a key industry for the Welsh. 温暖的家庭Successful in attracting investment from abroad暑期安全—particularly Japan and the United States.
Wales was conquered by the Romans. After they left, it divided into parate Kingdoms but didn’t fall to the冷吃牛肉的做法 Anglo- Saxon invaders of the 5th century. But Wales was always under pressure from its English neighbor, so there was a need to unify Wales to successfully resist the English. The Prince of Wales forced the English to acknowledge him in 1267. After he died, Edward the First t about conquering Wales. The last attempt to resist the process failed in 15thiphone4s刷机 century. In 1536, Wales was brought legally, administratively绸缪是什么意思 and politically into the UK by an act of British Parliament.
