英语国家概况(名词解释)
第一部分 英国概况
1 the Commonwealth :It is a free association of independent countries that were once colonies of Britain. Member nations are joined together economically and have certain trading arrangements. The Commonwealth has no special powers. The decision to become a member of the Commonwealth is left to each nation.
2. British Empire: Britain has been one of the most important countries in the world. About a hundred years ago, as a result of its imperialist expansion, Britain ruled an empire that had one fourth of the world’s people and one fourth of the world’s land area. It had colonies ont only in North America, but also I Asia, Africa and Australia. However, the two world wars greatly weakened Britain. The British colonies became independent one after another . The British Empire gradually disappeared and it was replaced by the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1931.
3 Alfred the Great: Alfred was the King of Wesx, who was strong enough to defeat the invading Danes and reached a friendly agreement with them. He founded a strong fleet and is known as ‘the father of the British navy.’ He also reorganized the Saxon army, making it more efficient. He encouraged learning in others, established schools and formulated a legal system. He translated a Latin book into English. All the make him worthy of his title ‘ Alfred the Great’
4Heptarchy: During the Anglo-Saxon’s time, Britain was divided into many kingdoms. The ven principal kingdoms of Kent, Esx, Susx, Wesx, East Anglia, Mercia and Nothumbria have been given the name of Heptarchy.
5the Witan: The Witnam was the council or meeting of the wimen. It was created by the Anglo-Saxons to advi the king. It’s the basis of the Privy Council which still exists today.
6 English feudal system: In this system, the King owned all the land personally, who gave his barons large estates in England in return for a promi of lilitary rvice and a pr
oportion of the land’s produce.
7 the Black Death: It was the modern name given to the deadly bubonic plague, an epidemic dia spread by rat fleas through Europe in the 14th century, particularly in 1347-1350. It swept through England in the summer of 1348 without warning, and without any cure. It killed between one half and one third of the population of England, causing far-reaching economic conquences.
8 Oliver Cromwell: He was the leader of the Parliamentary Army during the English Civil War in the revolutionary period of the 17th century. He defeated King Charles I and condemned him to death in 1649. After that, he established the Commonwealth in England and became the Lord Protector of the country. The Commonwealth ended with the Restoration of Charles II in 1660.
9 Blood Mary : It is the nickname given to Mary I , the English Queen who succeeded to the throne after Edward VI. She was a devout Catholic and had so many protestants burn
t to death that she is remembered less by her official title Mary I that by her nickname Blood Mary.
10 the Industrial Revolution :It refer to the mechanization of industry and the conquent changes in social and economic organization in Britain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Britain was the first country to industrialize in Europe.
11 Whigs(in Britain): The name of Whigs originated with the Glorious Revolution. It was known by the nickname. It was a derogatory name for cattle drivers. Looly speaking, the Whigs were tho who oppod absolute monarchy and supported the right to religious freedom for Nonconformists.
12 Tories (in Britain) : The name of Tories originated with the Glorious Revolution . It was known by the nickname. It was an Irish word meaning thugs. The Tories were tho who supported hereditary monarchy and were reluctant to remove kings. The Tories were the forerunners of the Conrvative Party, which still bears the nickname today.
13 the Hou of Lords: The Hou of Lords is a part of Parliament . It is made up of the Lords Spiritual and the Lords Temporal. The main function of the Hou of Lords is to bring the wide experience of its members into the process of law-making.
14 the Hou of Commons: The Hou of Commons is a part of parliament , and its members are elected by universal adult suffrage. It consists of 651 Members of Parliament (MPs). It has the ultimate authority in making laws.
