UNITED KINGDOM

Geography & People Capital: London Area: 244,820 km 2 (94,000 mi 2 - slightly smaller than Oregon) Population: 60.4 million (2004) Major ethnic groups: British, Irish, West Indian, South Asian Major languages: English, Welsh, Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic

U.K., Great Brit., or England? The United Kingdom was created in 1801 at the climax of British expansion Great Britain, the main area of the U.K., is divided into 3 parts: England, Scotland, and Wales The 4 th part is Northern Ireland, made up of 6 counties of Ulster

Island Nation Its location as an island – makes Britons feel like they are a part of and separated from the rest of Europe This factor has complicated relations with the EU

U.K., Great Brit., or England? The U.K. is a MULTINATIONAL state – in England they think of themselves as English, in Wales Welsh, and in Scotland as Scots England is multiracial – small # from other parts of Europe (Queen herself is of German descent) but majority come from West Indies and South Asia (Ind., Pak., Bangladesh)

Used to be homogeneous – majority Protestant, English- speaking, and white Social mobility is not very easy – education is based on class -State schools (our equivalent to public school) -Public schools (our private school) – so called because they prepare a person for public service

Educational system maintains the hierarchy of society

British Political History William the Conqueror invaded in 1066 and divided England into 200 fiefs During the medieval era, the Crown was established as the central political authority (Feudalism) Henry I replaced inherited offices with hirees He also allowed knights to pay him so they wouldn’t have to fight

British Political History Money was used to hire mercenaries Henry also created office of ex chequer (A.K.A. treasurer) Henry II created royal courts, where people were tried by jury Also circuit and church courts, which charged fees

British Political History John I made England into a papal fief & agreed to pay annual tax to Rome This upset the nobles and they made him sign the MAGNA CARTA (1215), or Great Charter, ending absolute rule in England

British Political History Magna Carta – king must obey laws, prisoners are guaranteed trial by jury, and no taxes could be made without the permission of the Great Council (made up of nobility and clergy) 1295 – model parliament formed, expanding Great Council to middle class

British Political History Next major event was 100 Years’ War w/France Caused many English nobles to lose land they had in France This actually unified England more because it was now more centralized

British Political History Then came the War of the Roses, a civil war in which 2 families fought over the throne (Tudors v. Lancasters) Tudors won and Henry VII became king Strengthened both the monarchy & the Parliament Noble died  land went back to king

British Political History King could only tax with Parliament’s permission Henry VIII settled the supremacy of the state’s secular power over the church in 16 th c. when he established Church of England Tudor rule ended with the death of Elizabeth I in 1603

British Political History Stuart rule began (cousins of Tudors) Stuarts claimed divine right to rule Taxed the middle class heavily & ignored trade Anglican Church made official church of England Charles I tried to make Scotland too

British Political History 1628, Charles I signed Petition of Right to get funds from Parliament to wage war against Scotland Parliament refused so he had them all arrested but was run out of town English Civil War began Oliver Cromwell established military republic w/freedom of religion except for Catholics

British Political History Restoration occurs in 1660 with King Charles II back on throne Charles II & James II were both Catholic but failed to change religion of Britain James’s attempt caused the Glorious Revolution, a bloodless change in power in 1688

British Political History Bill of Rights is established along with parliamentary supremacy England was almost constitutional democracy at this point By the later 18 th century, political power was divided between Crown and Parliament in a system of representative government

British Political History Both Wales & Scotland were independent kingdoms that resisted English rule Wales was joined with England in 16 th cent. – industrialization drew most Welsh people close to Eng – separate Welsh office was established for administrative purposes & its head was made a Cabinet minister

British Political History 1707 – England & Scotland unified as Great Britain in Act of Union Common Parliament was for all of Great Britain was established 1801 – legislative union of Ireland & G.B. under the name of United Kingdom

British Political History 1921 – Irish Free State established while 6 northern counties (predominantly Protestant ) remained part of UK

British Expansion & Empire Foreign Trade Sea power protected English trade & opened up new routes British Empire = roughly 1/5 to ¼ of the world’s area & population Colonies contributed to UK’s econ. growth & strengthened its voice in world affairs as well as developed & broadened its dem. institutions at home

British Political History Reform Act of 1832 – gave men not in the aristocracy (working class) suffrage 1918 – Most women get suffrage 1928 – all women get suffrage

THEMES Is Britain a world power or just a middle-of-the-pack country in Western Europe? Has a historical legacy but plays second fiddle in “special relationship” the U.S.

THEMES What strategies have been employed in governing the economy? Historically, Britain has relied on superior competitiveness abroad since the Industrial Revolution How well will Britain do since it lost its power?

THEMES Issues about democratic governance, citizen participation, and constitutional reform Monarchy, unelected House of Lords, interests of Wales, Scotland, & Ireland

THEMES Collective Identity – how individuals define who they are politically Decolonization of British empire has helped to create a multiracial society but British have adjusted poorly Nationality & Immigration – hot button issues