The UK learning: the language, studying the culture., Sintesi del corso di Storia Inglese

Scarica The UK learning: the language, studying the culture. e più Sintesi del corso in PDF di Storia Inglese solo su Docsity! Part 1 (Rutt) To appreciate UK’s International power, it’s important to remember that it was the world’s first superpower. In 1880, UK ruled 23% of the global population, but this country was hit by a series of invasions before it become so powerful. The Romans, the Scandinavians, the Anglo-Saxons were the populations that invaded Britain, during its early history. When William the Conqueror became King on Christmas day in 1066, England found itself benefitting from new King’s holding in France. Political expansion were closer with the invasion of Ireland and Wales. It was King Henry VII who supported the pioneering voyages of Giovanni Caboto to North America in 1496: this trans-Atlantic expeditions was the first English settlement far way from home. The defeat of the Spanish Armanda in 1588 allowed England to become the most powerful navy in the world. In the early 17 th century, the first English Empire took form with the settlement in North America and in the Caribbean, thank to the conquest of some islands like Barbados and Jamaica. The second English Empire saw the expansionism of England to Africa and Asia. Great Britain’s industrial revolution strengthened its ability to oppose to Napoleonic France and by the end of Napoleonic Wars, the UK was the world’s foremost international power with a powerful navy. During Queen Victoria’s reign, British economy and technology spread through the Empire and at the turn of 20th century, Britain ruled 500 million people: this imperial hegemony contributed to the British economic growth. But with Queen Victoria’s death, British economic advantage decreased, surpassed by Germany and USA. London continued to be the most important economic centre of the world, but British overall share of trade decreased a lot and this situation collapsed with the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947 and of African territories in 1960. Britain’s principal ambition during its campaign was economic. The lesson from the loss of North America as a colony contributed to the extension of dominion status to the self-governing white settlers colonies of Newfoundland, Canada, Australia, new Zealand and The Union of South Africa. The Empire became the British Commonwealth of Nations: the Commonwealth Games, a sporting event hosted by a Commonwealth country, has taken place every 4 years, except in 1942 and in 1946 due to the II World War. Today, most of the British former colonies still belong to the Commonwealth and British monarch continues to be its non political head. There are 13 former British colonies that continue the political links with London and are known as United Kingdom Overseas Territories. The Falkland Island are the example of this status. After the Second World War, the first page of new European Union story was written when 6 countries signed the Treaty of Rome to form the European Economic Community, but Britain was absent, because it saw its economic future with the Commonwealth and with USA. Britain saw in Europe restrictions and a loss of independence and identity. Britain became member in 1973. Although Britain is important trading independence with all 25 European member states and British people feel closer to Europe, there continues to be a Euroscepticism and persistent fear for Britain’s sovereignty and partner that integration would be jeopardize. Following the defeat of Nazi Germany during the WW II, a closer relationship between USA and Britain was born, This special relationship was initiated by British Former Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the US President Theodore Roosevelt and has been evident between Former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Former US President George W. Bush with their collaboration on the American led war on terror. The UK is one of the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council and founding member of NATO. As the country’s full name indicates (UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), it is a unified state of previously independent countries: England, Wales, Scotland are the Great Britain and with 6 countries of the Northern Ireland are the United Kingdom. It’s not a culturally unified country because English is not the official language in all 3 countries. In Wales, people speak more in Walsh than in English and in Scotland, Scottish Gaelic is still very used today. England’s ambition to dominate its neighbours was motivated by strategic defence and economic gain. The invasion process started with King Henry II in Ireland in 1171. In 1801, Kingdom of Ireland voted for a union with the Kingdom of Great Britain to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. In 1921, the Anglo-Irish Treaty established the Irish Free State, an independent dominion of the British Crown with full internal self- governing rights. The history of the relation between England and Wales is marked by struggles, fired by the desire of Wales to remain autonomous. Wales lost its independence in 1282 after wars and battles and it was annexed to the English Crown with an Act of Union in 1536. In 1955 Cardiff was proclaimed the capital of Wales, after the de-annexation of Wales. William Wallace, is one of the most famous Scottish son, who died fighting for the independence of Scotland. The history of Scotland’s struggle against the invading forced starts with the Romans: unable to subdue the tribes of the North, the Emperor Hadrian built a massive coast to coast wall to keep them out of England. Parts of the wall al still mark the border between England and Scotland. The union between the two countries was to come about by marriage and abdication. When James IV of Scotland married Margaret Tudor of England in 1503, the country was royally sealed. When Queen Elisabeth of England died in 1603, her closest living relative was her stepsister Mary, Queen of Scots, whose son James, was the most eligible Elisabeth’s successor. King James VI of Scotland became King Part 3 The island is divided in 2 parts: the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Republic (Eire) is made up of 26 southern counties and it’s an independent country with its own government, administration, army, navy and air force. The Parliament of the Republic of Ireland is in Dublin, the capital. Northern Ireland (Ulster) consists of 6 counties and is part of the United Kingdom. The population of the Republic of Ireland is 3.9 million people, while 1.6 million people live in Northern Ireland. English is the language generally speaking but Gaelic has been spoken in some area since 300 BC. The island is situated to the west of Great Britain in the North Atlantic Ocean. The Republic is not part of NATO but has been member of the European Community since 1973. Ireland was invaded by King Henry II in 1972; the English presence was characterized by rebellion, battles and famine. In 1649, English statesman Oliver Cromwell arrived in Dublin and his troops killed 2,000 Irish soldiers and civilians and the population was halved. At the end of the 17th century, parliamentary reform and independence for Ireland were met by British Prime Minister William Pitt with an Act of Union. From 1801 the countries became indivisible as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. On Easter Monday 1916, Michael Collins led a rebellion against the British presence on the island, but the rebellion failed and in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK with the Anglo-Irish Treat, which established the Irish Free State as self-governing dominion. In 1937, a new Constitution replaced the Irish Free State with a new state called Eire, but in 1948 it was withdrawn from the British Commonwealth and the Republic of Ireland was declared on 1949. The Irish Republican Army (IRA founded in 1919) fought for the unification of Ireland and against the British presence in the North. In 1971, the first British soldier was killed in Belfast by Ira; the Unionist government responded with the introduction of internment without trial for suspected Republicans. On 1972, 13 civilians were killed and many more wounded by British soldiers. That day was called Bloody Sunday. Peaceful solution to the conflict between Ireland’s Catholic and Northern Ireland’s Protestant population has yet to be found. The Irish government is co-operating with Britain for a peaceful unification of the two communities. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, called Belfast Agreement, was signed in Belfast in 1998 by most Northern Irish political parties and the British and Irish governments. The implementation of the Agreement was endorsed by voters of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in two referenda in 1998. After 30 years of armed struggle, the Ira announced in 2005 that its armed campaign was at the end and from now on intends to pursue democratic and peaceful means. Part 4 In 1972, soldiers from the British army opened fire on unarmed demonstrators in Derry, Ireland. 13 people were killed and a number of other were wounded. 10,000 people participated to the civil-rights march, but it was illegal according to the Stormont Parliament that banned all such protests. The massacre increased the relation between the unionists and the nationalists. The paratroopers were ordered to move in and arrested as many of the civil rights marchers as possible, but they quickly opened fire and hit 26 people. An inquiry by Lord Widgery reported that the soldier’s reaction had bordered on the reckless and it added that the soldiers had been fired upon first. The day became known as Bloody Sunday and the Catholic community rejected Lord Widgery’s findings and began their campaign for another inquiry. In 1998, Tony Blair announced a fresh inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday. U2 is an Irish rock band featuring Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton. The band has been playing since 1980 and it’s one of the most popular rock band in the world. The band is also active in human rights causes and in 1983 they released their third album entitled War, which included the song Sunday Bloody Sunday, about the ongoing conflict in Northern Ireland and in particular about the notorious Bloody Sunday massacre in 1972. Part 5 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Reflecting the political histories of these 3 different entities, there is not a single legal system unifying the entire country, but there are 3 different legal system: English and Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish systems. There are some differences between English and Welsh and Northern Irish legal systems, but for historic reasons the legal system of Scotland is different, because it is based on the Roman law, so there are some English laws that do not applied to Scotland and vice versa. The legal system is one of the oldest and the most traditional institution in Britain. The legal systems of Great Britain and London and local courts evolved independently over the centuries. This independent evolution hindered the implementation of the law. The response has been in 2 periods of major reform to alleviate this disparity: the first when the Judicature Acts carried out a complete court revision, and the second when further changes produced the present day court system in England and Wales. In 1998, the Parliament of Scotland received the Royal assent. The law in Britain is divided into criminal law and civil law. Criminal law protects society by punishing those found guilty of committing offence against the state, like rape or murder. Guilt or innocence is establish during a criminal trial. It is a jury that decides the verdict and if the defendant is found guilty, the judge sentences the individual to a prison sentence or a fine. Civil law regulates the conduct of people in relation with one another and regulates disputes between individuals. This can include claims for compensation by a claimant due to a negligent act by the defendant. The differences between civil and criminal law are reflected in the procedures each uses and in the sanctions which may be applied. Criminal law is administered at 2 levels: the lower and the busier of the criminal courts is the Magistrates Court and its court proceedings are conducted by Justice of Peace. The appointment of this magistrates illustrates a legal system where a citizen is judged by other citizens. This tradition originates from the Magna Carta and in the 17th century from the Bill of Rights. The more serious criminal cases such rape or murder are dealt with the higher court, the Crown Court which is presided over by a fully trained High Court. Appeals from the Magistrates Court go before the Crown Court; appeals from the Crown Court are made to the Court of Appeal and the final appeal court in all cases unless a point of European Community law is involved. Civil law cases can be brought to the Country Court that handles money, contract and property, and the judge usually sits alone. The distinction between the busier Country Court and the High Court is the case and the sum of money involved. Britain does not have a written Constitution, but it consists of 5 elements: Common Law, Statute Law, Conventions, ancient document like the Magna Carta and European Union Law. English Common Law is the oldest form of law in England: it is made up of the Norman law and the Anglo-Saxon law, combined by William the Conqueror. Customs and traditions are the same rules guides judges in their interpretation of statutes. Common law decisions establish precedents from which later judges in the lower courts must follow them. The power to create new precedents is reserved to the High Court, the Court of appeal and the House of Lords. The tradition of following precedents maintains consistency and continuity. In England, statutes were created by the monarch, from 13th century by the Parliament, which became the legislating authority. Statute law are Acts of Parliament created after bill has passed through both the Houses of Parliament, that creates new laws with these Acts. Statute law has come to dominate the Constitution but each other sources played an important role in determining how legal system works. The United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community on 1973 when the Conservative government signed the Treaty of Rome in Brussels. From that date on, the English law and European Law have co- existed. Britain participates in the creation EU laws. Part 6 Crime is an increasing problem in many European countries and Britain is not an exception: Britain has one of the highest crime rates in the developed world and one of the most under resourced police forces. The International Crime Victimisation Survey started in a study published in 2001 that England and Wales are at greater risk of falling victim to crime than citizens of most other industrialized nations. 26% of supported by the upper and the middle class, but not by the working class, but in 1983, Mrs Thatcher’s popularity in working class developed dramatically because of a policy that allowed residents of council to buy their homes at a discount price. Mrs Thatcher maintained an uncompromising position on the question of Northern Ireland’s destiny during her 11 years of term; in 1980, 10 republican prisoners began the hunger strike to demand for the status as political prisoners. Margaret Thatcher argued that to concede on their demands would be to legitimize the IRA. In 1984, when some member of the Conservative party were gathering, a bomb exploded in Brighton’s grand hotel: Mrs Thatcher escaped injury but 5 people died. She continued the battle with Britain’s trade union which she saw as an obstacle to her economic philosophy of free market. In 1984 the National coal board announced by the closure of 20 mines and 20000 jobs would be lost. A strike was called by the national union of mineworkers in 1984 and after a year Mrs Thatcher defeated the Union. As her predecessor had done, Margaret Thatcher established a special relationship with USA and with its president Ronald Regan. In the general elections of 1987, Mrs Thatcher served her third term and became the longest prime minister of UK in 20 years. On 1957, some European countries signed the Rome treaty to establish the European Economic community, for which Britain reconsidered its position and applied for memebership. Mrs Thatcher initial relation with EEC was enthusiastic, because she thought that co-operation with other European countries would bring prosperity and stability for all Europeans, but she continued to be hostile to a European suprastate, that would compromise Britain’s political integrity. At the end of 1980, Mrs Thatcher said that her government would oppose any attempt by the European Community to create an economic and political union: she believed that this would go against the founding principles of the Treaty of Rome. In 1988, Mrs Thatcher was invited to Bruges to deliver a speech in which she spoke about guiding principles for Europe’s common future. She also talked about Central and Eastern Europe that remained outside the European common market. Mrs Thatcher was determined that her third term as Prime Minister was going to be more purposeful than her second so she pursued an increasingly radical agenda, with the introduction of new forms of local taxation, called Community Charge. This new taxation wasn’t support by the Conservative Party and her colleagues were concerned about the future under Mrs Thatcher’s leadership. On 1990, Margaret Thatcher was forced to resign, after 11 years in office. Mrs Thatcher was succeeded by John Major who led the Conservative Party for two terms. Tony Blair was born on 1953 ad grew up in Edinburgh. He graduated at Oxford University where he met his future wife Cherie, who married in 1980. In 1975, Mr Blair joined the Labour Party and he rose quickly through the ranks of the Labour Party. In 1994, Labour Party leader Smith died, leaving the position as leader vacant. Mr Blair set about to revising the image of Labour Party to convince the British electorate that the party was modern and electable. The new orientation of the party aroused a lot of criticism as it compromised its founders socialist principles and placed little emphasis on the redistribution of the wealth, in fact Tony Blair wanted to continue the economic policies she had initiated. The new Labour Party won the general elections and Tony Blair became PM. The first major decision on Tony Blair was to confer upon the Bank of England the power to set interest rates autonomously, than Blair’s government commenced an extensive program of constitutional reform. This began with the pre-legislative Scotland referendum for the creation of Parliament in Scotland. Then a referendum was held in Wales and a Nation Assembly was established in 1998 and on the same year the Belfast Agreement was signed by most Northern Ireland political parties: it established a peaceful and democratic framework for power-sharing in Northern Ireland. In 2001, New Labour won the general elections and Mr Blair returned to power for the second term as Prime Minister. On 11 September 2001, World Trade Centre attack occurred in NY and Blair decided to ally with the USA, he was a strong supporter of George W Bush’s controversial plan to invade Iraq, but when he opened the debate in the House of Lords, 138 members voted against. Many British soldiers participated in the invasion of Iraq in 2003, which led to the consequent overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Bush and Blair were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Blair was involved in European issue and in 2002, the European single currency was introduced in most European countries except the UK. The House of Commons was re-built after an explosion in 1941 and it wasn’t change in size because now it is too small to accommodate 644 MPS. The Serjeant-at-arms is the responsible for the security and order in the House of Parliament. The symbol of this office is the Speaker’s mace. He carries the mace into the house each day as he leads the Speaker’s procession. Parliament cannot proceed until the mace is set in its place in the centre of the House. Each sitting of the House begins with the prayers and to do this members of parliament stand facing the wall behind them. When a Member of the House wants to refer to another during a debate, he/she does so by the name of the Member’s constituency or by his/her official position:”The Honourable Member for..”, but not by his/her actual name. Each Government motion is debated in Parliament and when it is concluded, the speaker asks MPS to vote by shouting out Aye if they are in favor and No if they are not in favor. The Police are on duty throughout the Palace of Westminster but do not enter in the chamber while the House of Commons is sitting. If the House sits beyond midnight, police may enter but they have to remove their helmets. Who goes home? It’s an invitation for Member of the Parliament to join together and cross Westminster fields in company.