Themenfeld 2:
Great Britain
The British Empire:
What is the British Empire?
- Was made up of colonies, protectorates, and other territories which were controlled by the UK
- Began with the overseas colonies and trading posts set up by England between the late 16th and eraly
18th centuries
- A world power & economic power
- Strongest Sea power, colonial power, commercial power
- English the world language
What did the British Empire do?
- The british used violence to take over lands all over the world
- Many people were enslaved as a result of the expansion of the empire
Key Events:
- After 1612, the East India Company began to build up a small empire
- 1776 Amerika became independent
- 1997 Hongkong became independent: marked for many the end of the British empire
The commonwealth:
What is the commonwealth of Nations?
- A voluntary association of 54 independent and equal countries
- More than 80 accredited organisations
- It’s home to 2.4 billion people
- Founded in 1931
- Includes advanced economies and developing countries
- Members work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace, amplide the voice of small
states and protect the environment
How was the commonwealth formed?
- After the independence of America, the British assure some of the countries they govern a little self-
determination (to prevent further striving for independence)
➔ Canada, Australia, New Zealand become Dominions (faked autonomy, nervertheless governed in
GB’s sense)
- 19th century: Dominions strive for more independence
➔ British Empire becomes the commonwealth of nations
➔ Only 16/52 states accept the queen as their head of state
➔ Loose community of nations
Areas the Commonwealth works in:
- Protection of the Environment
- Democracy, government and law
- Trade and economy
- Society and young people
, The UK:
The Kingdom unites
- England, Scottland, Ireland and Wales were independent
- English King Edward 1 made his (Welsh-born) son Prince of Wales
- 1542 Wales had been fully annexed by England
- 1535 Henry 3 brought Ireland under English control (for the first time)
- Ireland came into effect= „“United Kindom of Britain and Ireland“
- After the Irish war of independence Ireland was devided
➔ Northern Ireland was still part of the UK
A „disunited England“? The north-south devide:
The south The North
Generally richer Generally poorer
Less warm-hearted Seen as more warm-hearted
Middle-class, white-collar workers Working-class people
Social classes:
Working class
- 15% of population
- Sociable, a lot of cultural interest (Theater, classis music, watching sports,etc.)
- Likely to come from a working class background
- UK in the Midland or North-West
Middle class
- 6% of population
- A small group of people
- Ted to mix socially with people similar to themselves
- Often work in research science and technical occupations
Upper class
- 6% of population
- Wealthiest and most privileged group
- Score highest for social, economic and cultural factors
- Often went to private schools and elite universities
- Most likely to be found in London
- Very hard to join
- 97% oen their own home
Great Britain
The British Empire:
What is the British Empire?
- Was made up of colonies, protectorates, and other territories which were controlled by the UK
- Began with the overseas colonies and trading posts set up by England between the late 16th and eraly
18th centuries
- A world power & economic power
- Strongest Sea power, colonial power, commercial power
- English the world language
What did the British Empire do?
- The british used violence to take over lands all over the world
- Many people were enslaved as a result of the expansion of the empire
Key Events:
- After 1612, the East India Company began to build up a small empire
- 1776 Amerika became independent
- 1997 Hongkong became independent: marked for many the end of the British empire
The commonwealth:
What is the commonwealth of Nations?
- A voluntary association of 54 independent and equal countries
- More than 80 accredited organisations
- It’s home to 2.4 billion people
- Founded in 1931
- Includes advanced economies and developing countries
- Members work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace, amplide the voice of small
states and protect the environment
How was the commonwealth formed?
- After the independence of America, the British assure some of the countries they govern a little self-
determination (to prevent further striving for independence)
➔ Canada, Australia, New Zealand become Dominions (faked autonomy, nervertheless governed in
GB’s sense)
- 19th century: Dominions strive for more independence
➔ British Empire becomes the commonwealth of nations
➔ Only 16/52 states accept the queen as their head of state
➔ Loose community of nations
Areas the Commonwealth works in:
- Protection of the Environment
- Democracy, government and law
- Trade and economy
- Society and young people
, The UK:
The Kingdom unites
- England, Scottland, Ireland and Wales were independent
- English King Edward 1 made his (Welsh-born) son Prince of Wales
- 1542 Wales had been fully annexed by England
- 1535 Henry 3 brought Ireland under English control (for the first time)
- Ireland came into effect= „“United Kindom of Britain and Ireland“
- After the Irish war of independence Ireland was devided
➔ Northern Ireland was still part of the UK
A „disunited England“? The north-south devide:
The south The North
Generally richer Generally poorer
Less warm-hearted Seen as more warm-hearted
Middle-class, white-collar workers Working-class people
Social classes:
Working class
- 15% of population
- Sociable, a lot of cultural interest (Theater, classis music, watching sports,etc.)
- Likely to come from a working class background
- UK in the Midland or North-West
Middle class
- 6% of population
- A small group of people
- Ted to mix socially with people similar to themselves
- Often work in research science and technical occupations
Upper class
- 6% of population
- Wealthiest and most privileged group
- Score highest for social, economic and cultural factors
- Often went to private schools and elite universities
- Most likely to be found in London
- Very hard to join
- 97% oen their own home
