Introduction to the United Kingdom

United Kingdom To understand the culture and society of the U.K., we need to know a little of its history and basic structure. (Like a car engine) To understand the culture and society of the U.K., we need to know a little of its history and basic structure. (Like a car engine) If a foreigner came to Pudong without seeing other places in China, what would be that person's impression be of Chinese culture and society? If a foreigner came to Pudong without seeing other places in China, what would be that person's impression be of Chinese culture and society? Each part of society tells a story—its history, art, literature, politics, activities, economy, and many others. Each part of society tells a story—its history, art, literature, politics, activities, economy, and many others. --EU is a union of 27 countries founded to enhance economic, political and social cooperation. (Similar to ASEAN) --EU is a union of 27 countries founded to enhance economic, political and social cooperation. (Similar to ASEAN) --Total population of UK is 60 million. --Total population of UK is 60 million.

Queen Elizabeth II (1926) The Queen's Children Charles Prince of Wales Anne Princess Royal Andrew Duke of York Edward Earl of Wessex

United Kingdom A constitutional monarchy governed by a parliamentary system. A constitutional monarchy governed by a parliamentary system. During the 19 th and early 20 th centuries, Britain was the most powerful country on earth—over 50 countries were part of the British Empire. During the 19 th and early 20 th centuries, Britain was the most powerful country on earth—over 50 countries were part of the British Empire. UK has 14 overseas territories that are not constitutionally a part of the UK—remnants of the British Empire, which at its height encompassed almost 25% of the world's land surface. UK has 14 overseas territories that are not constitutionally a part of the UK—remnants of the British Empire, which at its height encompassed almost 25% of the world's land surface. Largest empire in history. Largest empire in history. British influence can still be observed in the language, culture and legal systems of many of its former colonies. British influence can still be observed in the language, culture and legal systems of many of its former colonies.

The British Empire

United Kingdom Sixth largest economy by GDP. Sixth largest economy by GDP. First industrialized country in the world. First industrialized country in the world. Today, Britain is a member of the Today, Britain is a member of the European Union. European Union. – EU is a union of 27 countries founded to enhance economic, political and social cooperation. (Similar to ASEAN) – EU is a union of 27 countries founded to enhance economic, political and social cooperation. (Similar to ASEAN) – Total population of UK is 60 million. – Total population of UK is 60 million.

United Kingdom A country of many nationalities—1 in 20 non- European. (Pakistan, India, Caribbean) A country of many nationalities—1 in 20 non- European. (Pakistan, India, Caribbean) These immigrants have brought their cultures with them, creating a unique mosaic of customs and practices. These immigrants have brought their cultures with them, creating a unique mosaic of customs and practices. Class structure—largely a carry over from past. Class structure—largely a carry over from past. – Different segments of the society may engage in different activities, read different newspapers, and speak with different accents. – Different segments of the society may engage in different activities, read different newspapers, and speak with different accents. – South wealthier than the north. (London) – South wealthier than the north. (London)

England Largest of the four countries. Largest of the four countries. Population 49 million—dominant in economy, finance, and culture. Population 49 million—dominant in economy, finance, and culture. 80% live in cities; 2% agriculture. 80% live in cities; 2% agriculture. Its history has been one of invasions. Its history has been one of invasions. --Romans in 43 A.D. (Under Julius Caesar—nearly 400 years) (Christianity introduced). --Romans in 43 A.D. (Under Julius Caesar—nearly 400 years) (Christianity introduced). --Anglo-Saxons (From Denmark and Germany) (England was called “Angles' Land”)--classes created and most people were Christian by 650 A.D. --Anglo-Saxons (From Denmark and Germany) (England was called “Angles' Land”)--classes created and most people were Christian by 650 A.D. --8 th Century—Danes and Norwegians (Vikings). --8 th Century—Danes and Norwegians (Vikings) Normans from Northern France Normans from Northern France.

The Vikings

More Viking Humor

12 - English During Anglo-Saxon Times 500 A.D.

English Letters 1400 A.D.

England Normans ruled England for 300 years. Normans ruled England for 300 years. It was during this time that the various parts of the British Isles came under English rule—a broad English identity. (Dark Ages) It was during this time that the various parts of the British Isles came under English rule—a broad English identity. (Dark Ages) Contrast with what was happening in China during the period A.D. Contrast with what was happening in China during the period A.D. 1707—political union of the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland. 1707—political union of the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland. 1800—the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged. 1800—the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged.

Scotland Population 5 million. Population 5 million. Second largest of the four nations. Second largest of the four nations. Most rugged part of the U.K. Most rugged part of the U.K. Romans and Anglo-Saxons unable to conquer the country. Romans and Anglo-Saxons unable to conquer the country. Division between highland and lowland remains a cultural divide even today. Division between highland and lowland remains a cultural divide even today. Many Scots dream of independence—the area still maintains a strong separate identity. Many Scots dream of independence—the area still maintains a strong separate identity.

A Strong Rivalry

Wales Population 3 million. Population 3 million. An important coal-producing area that played a major role in the Industrial Revolution. An important coal-producing area that played a major role in the Industrial Revolution. Its language, Welsh, is different from English—20% of the people speak it. (Cf. Singapore and Shanghai) Its language, Welsh, is different from English—20% of the people speak it. (Cf. Singapore and Shanghai) Wales is more like England than either Ireland or Scotland. Wales is more like England than either Ireland or Scotland.

Northern Ireland Population 1.6 million. Population 1.6 million. Its prominence in the news relates to political turmoil in past years. Its prominence in the news relates to political turmoil in past years. Very beautiful with low hills, lakes, and rugged coastline. Very beautiful with low hills, lakes, and rugged coastline. Like other parts of the U.K., it has a very active cultural life. Like other parts of the U.K., it has a very active cultural life. Low cost of living. (Cf. Guilin, etc.) Low cost of living. (Cf. Guilin, etc.)

Political Troubles Divided by a long and bloody conflict— Catholic vs. Protestant. Divided by a long and bloody conflict— Catholic vs. Protestant. From about 1600 A.D., the British Protestants were given land and privileges that had been taken away from the local Catholics. From about 1600 A.D., the British Protestants were given land and privileges that had been taken away from the local Catholics. “Great hatred, little room.” “Great hatred, little room.” As a result of centuries of fighting, southern Ireland became independent. As a result of centuries of fighting, southern Ireland became independent.

Political Troubles The Irish were Different than the other peoples in the U.K.--mostly Catholic and spoke their own language. The Irish were Different than the other peoples in the U.K.--mostly Catholic and spoke their own language. Ireland was mostly Celtic (a different ethnic group) and had not been conquered by the Romans or Anglo- Saxons. Ireland was mostly Celtic (a different ethnic group) and had not been conquered by the Romans or Anglo- Saxons. The British parliament finally agreed to the partition of Southern Ireland The British parliament finally agreed to the partition of Southern Ireland

The Source of the Trouble Similar to the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. (Question of discrimination) Similar to the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. (Question of discrimination) The Irish Republican Army (IRA) was created and carried out a program of bombing and shooting. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) was created and carried out a program of bombing and shooting. In 1973, the two political groups reached an agreement to give the Catholics more power in the Northern Irish government. In 1973, the two political groups reached an agreement to give the Catholics more power in the Northern Irish government.

Continuing Troubles The Protestants were not happy with the agreement and continued the fight. The Protestants were not happy with the agreement and continued the fight. In the 1980s, a number of IRA prisoners went on a hunger strike died of starvation. In the 1980s, a number of IRA prisoners went on a hunger strike died of starvation. In the late 90s, IRA bombings hit London, and the government felt new pressure to deal with the problem. In the late 90s, IRA bombings hit London, and the government felt new pressure to deal with the problem.

Resolution At Last Like the fighting in Israel between the Jews and the Palestinians, the conflict seemed beyond resolution. Like the fighting in Israel between the Jews and the Palestinians, the conflict seemed beyond resolution. Finally, in 1998, the two warring factions reached an agreement--”a united Ireland shall be brought about only by peaceful means with the consent of a majority of the people....” Finally, in 1998, the two warring factions reached an agreement--”a united Ireland shall be brought about only by peaceful means with the consent of a majority of the people....” Lesson learned—extreme religion breeds extreme hatred. Lesson learned—extreme religion breeds extreme hatred.

A Very Unusual Situation The only country (province) in the world governed by three separate countries-- The only country (province) in the world governed by three separate countries-- --The Republic of Ireland. --The Republic of Ireland. --The Parliament of Great Britain. --The Parliament of Great Britain. --Its own elected government. --Its own elected government. Somehow, things have become quieter and Northern Ireland seems to be a much more civilized place. Somehow, things have become quieter and Northern Ireland seems to be a much more civilized place.

Current Status Few isolated bombings. Few isolated bombings. The laws that discriminated against Catholics have been repealed. The laws that discriminated against Catholics have been repealed. A more equal society with civil rights for everyone has been achieved. A more equal society with civil rights for everyone has been achieved. Northern Ireland even has an integrated police force. Northern Ireland even has an integrated police force. But still depressed economically. But still depressed economically.