1、 THE SOCIETY AND CULUTRE OF GREAT BRITAIN Book One Third Edition Higher Education PressRequirements of the course Attendance 10%Class-room presentation 10%Quizs 20%Final exam Test(闭卷闭卷)60%Contents Introduction History Political System Industry and Economy Literature and Culture Religions and Beliefs
2、 EducationUnit 1A Brief Introduction to the United Kingdom Part I A brief Introduction to the United Kingdom Part II England Part III Scotland Part IV Waleswhere is it？an island country by the sea.Northwest Atlantic Ocean off the north coast of Europe.English Channel in the south and the North Sea i
3、n the east.Geographical Features 1.Geographical position of Britain:Britain is an island country surrounded by the sea.It lies in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean off the north coast of Europe.It is separated from the rest of Europe by the English Channel in the south and the North Sea in the east.2.The
4、 north and west of Britain are mainly highlands；and the east and southeast are mostly lowlands.Part one A brief Introduction tothe United KingdomA complicated name fora complicated country I.Different Names for Britain and its Parts 1.Geographical names:the British Isles Great Britain England the Un
5、ited Kingdom (UK)The British Isles:the island of Great Britain the island of Ireland surrounding isles UK=Great Britain+Northern Ireland Great Britain=England+Scotland+Wales 2.Official name:the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 3.Other names:the British Empire(大不列颠帝国)British Commo
6、nwealth of Nations（英联邦国家）A free association of independent countries that were once colonies of Britain.It was founded in 1931,and has 50 member countries until 1991.London(Dominant)Capital city,Largest city Largest port Largest population(one seventh of the nations population)Financial and Commerci
7、al centre Culture (host the Olympic Games in 1908,1948,2012)Political centre1.Westminster central government administrative area2.Palace of Westminster Houses of parliament(Big Ben)3.Westminster Abbey ancient church4.Whitehall (street)5.Downing street,the house of No.10 official residence of the Pri
8、me Minster6.Buckingham palace royal residence of the Queen Cultural center (host the Olympic Games in 1908,1948,2012)Tourism City Complicated country 1.imperial country 2.Commonwealth of Nations 3.member of European Union 4.a member of Group of Seven 5.multiracial 6.a society with a class structure
9、7.region difference(just like China)IV.Climate 1.Britains favorable climate Britain has a maritime climate-winters are not too cold and summers are not too hot.It has a steady reliable rainfall throughout the whole year.The temperature varies within a small range.3.Rainfall：Britain has a steady reli
10、able rainfall throughout the whole year.The average annual rainfall in Britain is over 1,000mm.There is a water surplus in the north and west,and a water deficit in the south and east.V.The People 1.population distribution and conposition：Total population:about 60 million unevenly distributed Highly
11、 urbanized Mutiracial/Mutinational 2.The origins or ancestors of the people:Anglo-Saxons the English Celts the Scots,Welsh and Irish non-European ethnicity (Indian,Pakistan,Caribbean,etc.)immigrants 3.The character of the people：the English the ScotsRegional division the Welsh the Irish Anglo-Saxons
12、 Ethnical group Celts Common characteristics cautious adaptable conservative have strong national consciousness The Welsh are emotional and cheerful people.They are music lovers and are proud of their past.The Scots are said to be a serious,cautious and thrifty people,and they are also hospitable,ge
13、nerous and friendly.The Irish are charm.VI.Three political divisions on the island of Great Britain:England,Scotland and Wales.(1)England is in the southern part of Great Britain.It is the largest,most populous section.(2)Wales is in the west of Great Britain.Capital:Cardiff(3)Scotland is in the nor
14、th of Great Britain.It has three natural zones(the Highlands in the north；the Central lowlands；the south Uplands)Capital:Edinburgh(4)Northern Ireland is the fourth region of the UK.Capital:BelfastEngland In the southern part of Great Britain The largest,most populous section Anglo-Saxons the English
15、 A history of invasionsThe four major invasions in the history of Great Britain:England was occupied by Celtic people.1.in 43AD the Roman empireResult:England and Wales became a part of the Roman empire for nearly 400 years.The Roman built many towns,road,baths,temples and buildings.They make good u
16、se of Britains natural resources.They also brought the new religion,Christianity,to Britain.2.The 5th century AD the Angle-Saxon Result:a.They either absorbed the Celtic peopleor push them to the western and northern edges of Britain.b.Angle-Saxon invaders were called as the forefathers of the Engli
17、sh and the founders of England.3.The late 8th century the Vikings and Danes Result divide between northerners and southerners in England which can be expressed as Saxon versus Dane.King Alfred the Great He founded a strong fleet and is known as“the father of the British navy”.He reorganized the Saxo
18、n army,making it more efficient.4 1066 The Norman the important battle of Hastings Results:a.William the Conqueror took the English throne and became William the First of England.b.Under his rule,the great castle,Tower of London was built.c.William replaced the weak Saxon rule with a strong Norman g
19、overnment.So the feudal system was completely established in England.Scotland The second largest nation Have the most strong national confidence Topography:the most rugged part three natural zones the Highland in the north,the central Lowlands,and the Southern Uplands.Capital city:Edinburgh,a German
20、ic name,a fine old cultural city known for its beauty,full of antiques,etc.The(third)largest city:Glasgow,famous as shipbuilding centre Language:English,Gaelic Peoples:the Scots and the Picts The history of invasions a.Scotland was not conquered by the Romans.b.Most of Scotland wasnt conquered by An
21、glo-Saxons.c.In 9th century the Vikings invaded Scotland.Relationship between England and Scotland Anglo-Scottish conflict Close ties:intermarriage Two important battles1.The Battle of Bannockburn 300 Years of full independence 2.The Battle of Culloden the last battle on British soil,the Highland cl
22、an culture was badly destroyed.Politics:In 1707,Scotland joined the Union by agreement of the English and the Scottish parliament.Rights:a.Elect parliament member and sent 72 representatives to london b.have far more control over their own affairs than the Welsh C.have no separate parliament Party:T
23、he Labour Party The Scottish National Party The Conservative Party Culture symbol:kilt/tartanFamous song:Auld Lang Syne by the Scotland poet Robert Burns Should old acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind?Should old acquaintance be forgot,and old lang syne?副歌:For auld lang syne,my dear,for
24、auld lang syne,well take a cup of kindness yet,for auld lang syne.And surely youll buy your pint cup!and surely Ill buy mine!And well take a cup o kindness yet,for auld lang syne.副歌 We two have run about the slopes,and picked the daisies fine;But weve wandered many a weary foot,since auld lang syne.
25、副歌 We two have paddled in the stream,from morning sun till dine;But seas between us broad have roaredsince auld lang syne.副歌 And theres a hand my trusty friend!And give us a hand o thine!And well take a right good-will draught,for auld lang syne.Wales In the west of Great Britain.The smallest nation
26、 on British mainland,larger than Northern Ireland Topography:Pasture Capital:Cardiff(320,000 people)Language:English/Welsh(19%),Localism is deep-rooted.Economy:Traditional industry:Coal-mining,coal and steel New industries by attracting investment History of invasion:a.Wales was conquered by the Rom
27、ans.b.Wales wasnt really conquered by Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings.c.Wales was invaded by the NormansRelationship with England a.Wales has been dominated by England for longer than the other nations.b.Wales was always under threat from England after the Norman conquest.In 1536,Wales was brought lega
28、lly,adminstratively,politically into the UK by an act of the British Parliament.Politics:Elect parliament member and sent 38 representatives to London Party:The Nationalist Party Plaid Cymru/The Party of Wales Legendary heroes of Welsh nationalism:Glyndwr and Llywelyn Culture:The Land of Song The We
29、lsh keep their language and culture in this way:Throughout the year they have festivals of song and dance and poetry called Eisteddfodau(艺术年会).The great event of the year is the National Eisteddfod.On these occasions competitions are held in Welsh poetry,music,singing and art.Northern IrelandOld nam
30、e:Ulster the smallest in area and population Topography:Low hills and lake district,rugged coastlines landmark:Giants Causeway Capital:Belfast(about 480 000 people,Titanic was built there)Culture and Figures(4th para.on Page 20)Industry:shipbuilding and aircraft manufacture Economy:stagnant(why)Low
31、crime and murder rate Low wealth per head Low living cost Irish Question(political troubles):the greatest headache of the British Government People:divided on the question of religion and national loyalty Protestants Religion Catholics Ulster loyalists national loyalty the Unionists 6.Irish Question
32、(political troubles):the greatest headache of the British Government The main problem in Northern Ireland:the fight between the Protestants and the Roman Catholics the Protestants:the dominant group the Roman Catholics:seeking more social,political and economic opportunities History of national prob
33、lem Reasons:a.Ireland:the first colony b.Great hatred,little room The change of situation Pursue Irish independence Home rule Irish political control over Irish affairs Guerilla or terrorist activities 1.the Easter Rising of 1916:was the most spectacular event,in which the rebels took over Dublins P
34、ost Office,forcing the British to retake it by military means.2.the fighting of IRA in 1919 3.the Sinn Fein A Partition of Ireland (1921)Bring to an end 700 years of British rule in southern Ireland The southern 26 counties form an independent state The north-eastern 6 counties remain a part of the
35、UK Politics as a part of the UK Sent 12 representatives to London Stormont:a parliament of its ownParty legal:a.the Sinn Fein party b.SDLP:Social Democratic and Labour Party IRA:Irish Republican Army(illegal)Political troubles in Northern Ireland(famous):Indigenous Roman Catholics vs.Protestant immi
36、grates The fuse of the revolt in the 1970s A Partition of Ireland (1921)Bring to an end 700 years of British rule in southern Ireland The southern 26 counties form an independent state The north-eastern 6 counties remain a part of the UK General reasons:sectarian distrust and downright hatred Featur
37、es:bloody,chaotic,disastrous,terroristMeans:marches,speeches,sit-ins,strike even riots(tit-for-tat or revenge killings)Results:most of the casualties of civilians 1969 event The Provisional IRA Paramilitary groups Gettoes in Northern Irish cities The policy of Internment The Bloody Sunday Solution 1973 agreement 1985 agreement 1993 Downing Street Declaration 1994 ceasefire the Good Friday Agreement
