Civilisation UK History PDF

Britain and the US Historical Relations : - First Colonies : - 1585: Sir Walter Raleigh established the first English settlement in Virginia. - 1607: Jamestown, the first permanent colony, founded by Captain John Smith. - Motivations: Religious oppression and economic opportunities (e.g., pl...

Britain and the US Historical Relations : - First Colonies : - 1585: Sir Walter Raleigh established the first English settlement in Virginia. - 1607: Jamestown, the first permanent colony, founded by Captain John Smith. - Motivations: Religious oppression and economic opportunities (e.g., plantations, trade). - American Independence : - Boston Tea Party (1773) : Protest against British taxation policies. - Revolutionary War (1775-1781): Declaration of Independence in 1776, Treaty of Paris (1783) formally ended the war. - Key Conflicts : - American Civil War (1861-1865) : Britain remained officially neutral but supported the South with supplies, viewing it as a trade opportunity. 20th Century Relations : - World Wars : - WWI: US remained neutral until 1917 (submarine warfare and Zimmermann Telegram). - WWII: Close collaboration between Churchill and Roosevelt against Nazi Germany. - Cold War Era : - Kennedy and Macmillan cooperated, though Britain’s influence waned. - Thatcher and Reagan were ideological allies, fostering a strong partnership. Modern Times : - Post-War Leaders : - Blair and Bush collaborated on Iraq (2003), but Britain was nicknamed "America’s poodle." - Johnson and Biden emphasized strong alliances despite Brexit-related tensions. Brexit European Union Context : - Founded after WWII to promote economic cooperation and prevent conflict. - Britain initially skeptical but joined the EU in 1973 after economic challenges and declining empire influence. Brexit Vote (2016) : - 52% voted to leave the EU; key issues included sovereignty, immigration, and dissatisfaction with globalization. - Younger voters largely favored remaining, while older generations voted to leave. Aftermath and Challenges : - Negotiations included trade agreements, border controls, and the Northern Ireland Protocol. - NI Protocol : Maintains open borders between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, but created internal UK trade complications. Wales Geography and Population : - Population: 3.2 million. - Mixed geography: Mountainous regions, rural landscapes, and industrialized areas (coal and steel industries). History : - Conquered by England in the 13th century; formally united under Henry VIII in 1536. - Integrated more effectively than Scotland or Ireland due to geographic and political factors. Economy : - Industrial Revolution: Major industries included coal, iron, and steel. Declined in the 20th century. - Modern economy: Focus on tourism, financial services, and renewable energy. Culture : - Language: Welsh (Cymraeg) is a key part of national identity but spoken by only 29% of the population today. - Traditions: Strong musical and literary heritage (e.g., National Eisteddfod festival). Politics and Devolution : - Plaid Cymru advocates for Welsh autonomy but has limited electoral success. - Devolution process began in 1979, with significant powers granted in 1997 (agriculture, education, health). Scotland 1. Stereotypical Images : Loch Ness, bagpipes, whisky—oversimplified, Scotland is culturally and geographically diverse. 2. State and Nation : National identity shaped by birth, language, shared history, and symbols like the flag and national anthem. Heroes: William Wallace, Robert the Bruce. 3. History : - Union of the Crowns (1603), Act of Union (1707). - Jacobite Rebellions (1715, 1745). 4. Dissatisfaction with the Union : - Economic decline, centralised rule from London. - Nationalist movements grew from the 1950s, leading to referendums in 1979 and 1997 (successful devolution). 5. Devolution and Scottish Parliament : - 1998: Scottish Parliament established with limited powers; Westminster retains key matters. - 2014 Independence Referendum: 55.3% “No”, 44.7% “Yes”. 6. Brexit’s Impact : - Scotland voted predominantly to remain in the EU, revealing tensions with England and Wales over the Union’s direction. Northern Ireland Politics 1. Distinct Case : - NI created in 1921, two countries on one island with complex history and politics. - Religious divide: Protestants and Catholics. 2. History : - English and Scottish plantations in Ireland (16th–17th century). - Irish War of Independence (1919–1921) led to partition: Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State. 3. The Troubles (1969–1998): - Sectarian violence: Catholic Nationalists/Republicans vs. Protestant Unionists/Loyalists. - Paramilitary groups (IRA, UDA/UVF), British Army intervention. - Bloody Sunday (1972) and IRA campaigns in Britain. 4. Good Friday Agreement (1998) : - Power-sharing government established. - Symbolic reconciliation (e.g., Queen’s meeting with Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness in 2012). 5. Post-Brexit Challenges : - Threat of a hard border between NI and the Republic of Ireland. - Rising support for Sinn Féin and questions about the future of the Union. UK’s Political System 1. The Monarchy : - Symbolic head of state; lacks direct political power. - Key roles: ceremonial functions, unifying symbol of the nation, and representation abroad. - Debate on modernisation or abolition. 2. The Government : - Prime Minister as key figure, supported by the Cabinet and civil service. - Devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. 3. Parliament : - Bicameral system: House of Commons (elected) and House of Lords (unelected, limited powers). - First-past-the-post electoral system; debates over lack of proportionality. 4. Political Parties : - Major parties: Conservatives (Tories), Labour, Liberal Democrats. - Rising influence of nationalist parties (SNP, Plaid Cymru), Greens, and post-Brexit shifts. 5. Key Issues : - Strains on the Union (nationalism in Scotland and NI). - Ongoing debates over the monarchy, electoral reform, and Brexit’s consequences. London 1. Historical Significance : - Located in South East England, along the Thames; population of 8 million. - A center of finance, education, and culture for centuries. - Historical highlights: - Medieval trading city after the Roman withdrawal in the 5th century. - William the Conqueror built the Tower of London in the 11th century. 2. Iconic Landmarks : - Tower Bridge : Symbol of industrial expansion. - Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. - Buckingham Palace : Residence of the monarch; state rooms and gardens open for tours. - Kensington Palace : Historical royal residence, refurbished and open year-round. - Royal Parks : Originally for royal hunting, now open to the public (e.g., Hyde Park, Green Park). 3. Places of Worship : - Westminster Abbey : Ceremonial site for coronations, marriages, and burials of monarchs. - St. Paul’s Cathedral : Rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666, symbolizing resilience. 4. Entertainment and Shopping : - West End : Theatre district with ancient buildings, cafes, and bars. - Markets:  - Portobello Road : Antique market in Notting Hill. - Camden Town : Edgy market with six areas along streets and canals. 5. Modern Attractions : - London Eye : Ferris wheel offering views of the city’s historic and modern aspects. - A city blending history and modernity, continuously evolving. 6. Air Pollution Crisis : - High nitrogen dioxide levels, mainly from diesel vehicles, exceed EU limits. - Health risks for vulnerable groups, including children with asthma. - Efforts needed to reduce emissions, with a goal to reach safe levels by 2030. Education 1. History of the UK Education System : - Before 1870 : Formal education was limited to the elite, provided by churches and philanthropists. - Forster Act (1870) : Introduced free education for children aged 5-10, but attendance wasn’t compulsory initially. - **Butler Act (1944) Established free and compulsory schooling for ages 5-15, creating a tripartite system: - Grammar schools (for academic students). - Secondary modern schools (basic education). - Technical schools (vocational training). - Issues : Class and gender inequalities persisted. 2. Comprehensive System (1965) : - Replaced the tripartite system with schools for all abilities. - Criticized for lowering standards and retaining social class divisions. 3. Structure of State Schooling : - Nursery (3-4), primary (5-11), secondary (11-16), further education (16-18), higher education (18+). - Key assessments: SATs (7, 11), GCSEs (16), A-levels (18). 4. Higher Education : - Types of universities: Ancient (e.g., Oxford), Red Brick, Plate Glass, New (former polytechnics). - High tuition fees (£10,000/year), leading to significant student debt. Health and Welfare 1. National Health Service (NHS) : - Established in 1948 by Aneurin Bevan under the National Health Service Act (1946). - Financed through taxation, aiming to provide free healthcare for all. - Major achievements: Rising life expectancy, reduced infant mortality, eradication of diseases like polio. 2. Challenges : - Increasing costs due to aging population, expensive drugs, and staff shortages. - Long waiting times for treatments. - Funding remains a persistent issue. 3. Comparison with the US : - NHS is less costly and more inclusive but faces criticism for inefficiencies. - The US system is more expensive, with significant inequalities in access. London 1. Historical Overview : - Founded by the Romans; grew into a medieval trading hub. - Iconic landmarks: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral. 2. Cultural and Recreational Sites : - Royal Parks (e.g., Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens). - West End: Theaters, shops, bars. - Markets: Portobello Road (antiques), Camden Town (edgy, diverse). 3. Modern Attractions : - London Eye offers a panoramic view of the city. - British Museum highlights London’s historical significance. 4. Air Pollution : - London struggles with high nitrogen dioxide levels from diesel vehicles. - Legal action and billions in investments are required to improve air quality by 2030. Multicuralism 1. General Overview : - The UK is a diverse yet often divided society. - Openness about multicultural statistics, unlike some other countries. - 2021 Census Data : - 82% of people in England and Wales are white. - 18% are from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups. - London: 40% of the population is BAME. 2. Representation and Ethnicity : - Political Representation : - 8% of MPs are BAME. - 5.8% of House of Lords members are BAME. - 14% of local councillors are BAME. - 28% of London Assembly members are BAME. - Foreign-Born Residents : - 16.8% of England and Wales residents born outside the UK. - 2.5 million increase in foreign-born residents since 2011. 3. Religion Trends : - Decline in Christianity : - 2021: