6/12/2015 Outline Chapter A HISTORY OF BRITAIN Vietnam National University, Hanoi University of Languages and International Studies • • • • • • • • • Prehistory The Roman period (43 - 410) The Germanic invasion (410 - 1066) The medieval period (1066 - 1485) The sixteenth century The seventeenth century The eighteenth century The nineteenth century The twentieth century Introduction to British Studies * By Mi Do, Thuy Pham & Hong Nguyen PREHISTORY • Important physical remnant of the early Britons: Stonehenge built some time between 3050 and 2300 BC o The construction took several phases to complete o Theories of its use: ceremony ground, burial ground, astronomical clock, sundial …etc • Since 8th cent B.C: Land of the Celts and the Celtic culture The Roman period A Celtic tribe (the Scots) migrated from Ireland to Scotland The Hadrian’s Wall Scotland: The Scots allied with the Picts (also Celtic) against the Romans The Romans built the Hadrian’s wall to protect from attacks by the Scots and the Picts (most of) England & Wales: The Roman province of Britannia THE ROMAN PERIOD • AD 43: The Romans came to invade Britain, and stayed • AD 410: The Romans left, leaving little impact behind Notable event: • AD 61: The revolt of Queen Boudicca against the Romans GERMANIC INVASIONS • 400s: Two tribes Angles and Saxons invaded Britain and soon ruled the South-east With their arrival, Christianity spread throughout Britain 800s: Another wave of invasion raised by the Vikings , yet halted by King Alfred England was divided • 900s: Cultural and religious similarities merged two divisions into one united kingdom 6/12/2015 MEDIEVAL PERIOD II MEDIEVAL PERIOD I • Late 1300s: Spread of the English monarch to other part of the British Isles • 1300s: English became the dominant language • Cultural split still existed in the British Isles • Norman invasion of England in 1066 • England brought into the mainstream of western Europe • • Formation of language and class division • • Notable event: • 1066: The Battle of Hastings – the last time Britain was Notable figure: • The legendary folk hero Robin Hood successfully invaded Medieval Period II Notable events: Magna Carta (1215) The Black Death (1348-1350 in Britain) The Wars of the Roses (1455-1485) Medieval Period II The Norman culture after 250 years did not gain predominance • A strict feudal system in England King The beginning of the English class system Great lords or Barons Eastern Ireland: controlled by AngloNorman lords in the name of the English king The lords remained loyal to the English king French-speaking Normans Lesser lords Peasants Wales: under the English king’s direct rule English-speaking Saxons THE SIXTEEN CENTURY The (Celtic) Welsh language and culture remained strong, e.g Eisteddfod Henry VIII (r.1509-1547) & the rise of Protestantism Scotland: Remain independent a gradual shift to English language and customs (in the lowlands) culture split England: A strict feudal system brought by the Norman since 11th century • Germanic language, not the Norman language (=French) •The Anglo-Saxon concept of common law, not Roman law Elizabeth I (r.1558-1603) • The increasing power of the English monarch • The reign of the Tudor dynasty (1485-1603) • The rise of Protestantism – majority religion in England Notable figures: • Henry VIII • Elizabeth I 6/12/2015 The 16th century Rejection of Roman Church A new spirit of patriotic confidence + The country became an “island nation” + The exploration of the Americas and other parts of the world THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY I Protestantism, taking a form as Anglicanism became the major religion in England • The rise of the Stuart dynasty • Conflict between the parliament and the Stuart monarchs about their way of raising money Britain was closer to the geographical centre of the western civilization (not on the edge) • Puritanism and its classification of immorality Notable event: • The Civil Wars & the execution of Charles I THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY II The Civil Wars (1642 - 1651) Cavaliers Victory ‘Roundheads’ Fun-loving, aristocratic royalist Over-serious, puritan Parliamentarian Oliver Cromwell Results: • Execution of Charles I, the 2nd son of James I (1649) • the exile of his son Charles II • Cromwell, leader of the Parliamentary army became ‘Lord Protector’ of the republic with a military government Britain became a republic for the 1st and only time The shift of power among the monarchs, from Charles I to Cromwell, James II to William of Orange • Powers of the monarch was limited: the monarch could rule only with the support of Parliament • • Origin of the split in society in modern Northern Ireland THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY • A politically stable period • Establishment of annual budget system • Two divisions in Parliament • Colonization & industrialization Territory Expansion • This century was marked by cultural change • Britain expanded its empire in – The Americas – West African coast – India New markets Notable events: • The 1707 Act of Union • Industrial Revolution 6/12/2015 First Industrial Revolution THE NINETEENTH CENTURY • The biggest empire in the world after the end of the century • An enormous increase of wealth • A change in attitude towards colonization (the white man’s burden) • Causes: new markets + technological innovations in manufacturing & transports… • Industrial growth and urban development • The North being the industrial centre, the reverse of today situation • Most people lived in towns or cities • Set of moral values built • Reform in political (more of a modern state) and public life (human rights recognized in laws) • A turn from industrial life-style to the country-side Notable figure: • Queen Victoria The expansion of the British Empire The 19th century • Biggest empire the world had ever seen (in early 20th cent.) India: British officials developed a distinctive Anglo-Indian way of life, imposing British institution and methods of government Ireland: British culture and way of life predominated Canada, Australia and New Zealand: selfgoverned but recognized the overall authority of British government Africa: most colonies started as trading bases on the coast and had little British settlement, except for South Africa Victorian Era • One of the most memorable and endearing of the English monarchs • Changes in social structure In the past In the 19th century Most people live in rural areas Most people lived in towns and cities Depended on landowners for their living Depended on factory owners for their living Together with the middle class of tradespeople Victorian values Held the REAL POWER in the country THE TWENTIETH CENTURY I • No longer the world’s richest country • A period of extremism during the first 20 years • Two major problems resolved: - Women’s right to vote – the Suffragettes - New types and levels of taxation • Urban working class made their voice heard (1) • Trade unions able to self-organize • Nostalgia and protests against new lifestyle • Divided community in Northern Ireland Queen Victoria (r.1837-1901) • Notable events: World Wars 6/12/2015 THE 21st CENTURY THE TWENTIETH CENTURY II Queen Elizabeth II (r.1952-) • End of the British Empire • Part of the Commonwealth, NATO and EU • A major growth in population & large-scale immigration • Changing moral codes (people became more individualistic and less differential) • Labour Party and its Conservative rival alternating in power Winston Churchill • Notable figures: - Queen Elizabeth II - Margaret Thatcher 41st PM In office: 1940 - 1945 Political party: Conservative and Liberal Margaret Thatcher Tony Blair 47th PM 49th PM In office: 1979 - 1990 In office: 1997 - 2007 Political party Conservative Gordon Brown 50th PM Political party: Labour David Cameron 51st PM In office: 2007- 2010 May 2010 - now Political Party: Labour Political Party: Conservative Questions for discussion Questions for discussion What were the invaders’ influences on the British society? How did the industrial revolution in the 18th century contribute to British wealth, power and confidence? How would you describe the changing relationship between religion and politics in British history? Are these changes that have taken place similar to those that have occurred in your country? Britain is unusual among European countries in that, for more than 300 years now, there has not been a single revolution or civil war What reason can you find in this chapter which might help to explain this stability? It is clearly seen from the chapter that Britain has experienced several significant historical periods in its long history Which period, in your opinion, was the most critical one in shaping the nation’s history? And why? Put the following phrases into the correct period of time REVIEW: True or False? Germanic peoples are those from German Britain was defeated by the French people in the 18th century The power of the great barons were weakened mainly because of the Wars of Roses Britain used to be on the edge of the world Britain has never been a republic country In the 18th century, social power and prestige rested on the possession of houses in the urban area Victoria Era was a long period of prosperity for the British people Britain started to lose its position as the richest country in the world in the 21st century a The beginning of the English class system The Roman Period b Enormous increase in wealth c Power of the great barons was weakened d Introduced new farming methods e Iron Age Celtic Culture f British territory expansion g Impressive development in many fields of the society Prehistory The Roman period The Germanic invasions The medieval period The sixteenth century The seventeenth century The eighteenth century The nineteenth century The twentieth century k l m n h i j A system of government department was established England and Scotland were united Urban development Industrial revolution Brought Christianity to Britain Built the Hadrian’s Wall No longer the richest country