Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
Introduction to British and American culture
Lesson 1: 14/02...................................................................................................................... 8
The 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony.................................................................8
Countdown + Thames film............................................................................................8
Five minutes after the film............................................................................................ 8
Themes of the 2012 London Olympics ceremony..............................................................8
Revision topics................................................................................................................... 9
"The Composition and Representation of the Union Jack".............................................. 10
Lambrini Girls - God’s Country (2024).............................................................................. 11
Revision topics................................................................................................................. 12
James Bryce.....................................................................................................................12
John Oakland – the book. The entire book?.................................................................... 12
Chronology of significant dates........................................................................................ 13
The historical relations between England/Britain/UK and Ireland.............................. 13
The historical relations between England/Britain/UK and the EU (including France
and Germany)............................................................................................................ 14
The historical relations between England/Britain/UK and their Empire/Commonwealth
14
The historical relations between England/Britain/UK and the US.............................. 15
The historical developments in terms of democracy emerging from centuries of
monarchy....................................................................................................................15
The historical developments in terms of devolution and devolved power.................. 15
Oakland – The Context.................................................................................................... 16
Historical context and public perception...........................................................................16
Historical growth of Britain (in a nutshell)......................................................................... 17
Structural change in British society.................................................................................. 17
Exam – UK part (tentative)............................................................................................... 21
Lesson 2: 21/02 (no class)...................................................................................................21
Chronology of significant dates........................................................................................ 21
Early History..................................................................................................................... 21
The Early Middle Ages..................................................................................................... 23
The Late Middle Ages...................................................................................................... 23
Towards the Nation State (Britain)....................................................................................24
The Eighteenth Century................................................................................................... 25
The Nineteenth Century................................................................................................... 25
The Twentieth Century..................................................................................................... 26
The 1980s and 1990s.......................................................................................................28
The 1990s........................................................................................................................ 29
The Twenty-First Century................................................................................................. 29
Lesson 3: 28/02.................................................................................................................... 32
The UK+, the people, their history, the language, and locations...................................... 32
Part I - From the earliest days to 1066............................................................................. 32
Early human settlement..............................................................................................32
Bronze and Iron Age Britain....................................................................................... 33
Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
1
, Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
Celtic identity and Tribal Britain.................................................................................. 33
Oldest town? – they don’t agree.................................................................................33
Skara Brae................................................................................................................. 34
Roman invasion and settlement (43-410 AD).................................................................. 34
Roman Conquest of Britain........................................................................................ 34
Boudicca’s Revolt (AD 60–61)....................................................................................34
Impact of Roman rule................................................................................................. 34
Anglo-Saxon invasions (5th-6th Centuries)......................................................................35
Anglo-Saxon society and culture................................................................................35
Viking invasions and settlements (8th-11th c.)................................................................. 35
Power dynamics in the Anglo-Saxon period...............................................................36
Alfred the Great.......................................................................................................... 36
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle....................................................................................... 36
Norman conquest (1066)..................................................................................................36
Background and Battle of Hastings............................................................................ 36
Changes brought by Norman Rule.............................................................................37
Architectures and records.......................................................................................... 37
The Bayeux Tapestry..................................................................................................37
Legacy of the Romans............................................................................................... 37
Legacy of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes.................................................................. 38
Legacy of the Vikings................................................................................................. 38
Legacy of the Normans.............................................................................................. 38
Revision topics history up to 1066....................................................................................39
12th century struggles > Henry II..................................................................................... 40
Civil war (1135-1153)..................................................................................................40
Henry II’s legal reforms...............................................................................................40
Attempts at unification................................................................................................ 41
Richard the Lionheart (1157-1199) and the Crusades................................................41
King John................................................................................................................... 41
Magna Carta (1215)......................................................................................................... 42
The Plantagenets and the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453)...........................................42
The Plantagenets (1154–1485).................................................................................. 42
Hundred Years’ War................................................................................................... 43
The Black Death (1348–1350)................................................................................... 43
The Wars of the Roses (1455-1487)................................................................................ 43
What were the Wars of the Roses?............................................................................43
Major battles and events............................................................................................ 44
Outcomes and legacy.................................................................................................44
The Tudors (1485-1603).................................................................................................. 44
Henry VII (reigned 1485-1509)...................................................................................44
Rise to Power....................................................................................................... 44
Policies and achievements................................................................................... 44
Henry VIII (reigned 1509-1547)..................................................................................45
Religious policies..................................................................................................45
Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
2
, Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
Relations with Ireland and Wales......................................................................... 45
Six Wives..............................................................................................................45
Elizabeth I (reigned 1558-1603)................................................................................. 46
Religious policies..................................................................................................46
Cultural and economic achievements...................................................................46
Foreign policy and legacy.....................................................................................46
Revision topics up to and including the Tudors................................................................ 46
The House of Stuart (and Orange) 1603-1714.................................................................48
James I (1603-1625).................................................................................................. 48
Charles I (1625-1649)................................................................................................ 49
English Civil War (1642-1651)....................................................................................49
The Commonwealth and Protectorate (1649–1660).................................................. 49
Restoration of Charles II (1660)................................................................................. 49
James II (1685-1688)................................................................................................. 50
Glorious Revolution (1688-1689)............................................................................... 50
Start of the Hanoverian Dynasty (1714)..................................................................... 50
Oliver Cromwell................................................................................................................ 50
Religion...................................................................................................................... 50
Ireland........................................................................................................................ 51
Influence/legacy......................................................................................................... 51
Bill of Rights (1689).......................................................................................................... 51
Background................................................................................................................ 51
Key provisions............................................................................................................ 51
Legacy........................................................................................................................ 51
The Battle of the Boyne (1690)........................................................................................ 52
Revision topics – Houses of Stuart (and Orange)............................................................ 52
House of Hanover (and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha)........................................................... 54
Overview.................................................................................................................... 54
Key monarchs............................................................................................................ 54
Jacobite threats.......................................................................................................... 54
George III (reigned 1760-1820)........................................................................................55
Personal life................................................................................................................55
Conflicts......................................................................................................................55
Achievements and legacy.......................................................................................... 55
Lesson 4: 07/03.................................................................................................................... 56
Keep an eye on all module content.................................................................................. 56
Acts of Union: from England to Great Britain................................................................... 57
Laws in Wales Acts (1535 and 1542)......................................................................... 57
Acts of Union 1707..................................................................................................... 57
Acts of Union 1800 (effective 1801)........................................................................... 57
Impact of the Unions.................................................................................................. 58
Monarchs, increasingly less a ‘driving’ force.................................................................... 58
Shift from political to symbolic role............................................................................. 58
Overview of monarchs (1837–present)...................................................................... 58
Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
3
, Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
Queen Victoria (reigned 1837-1901)................................................................................ 58
Personal life................................................................................................................58
Victorian Era............................................................................................................... 59
Political and social developments.............................................................................. 59
Neither here nor there, and yet both houses: George V, House of Saxe-Coburg and
Gotha by birth and founder of the House of Windsor....................................................... 59
Personal life................................................................................................................59
During his reign.......................................................................................................... 59
Periods no longer tied to a single monarchy.................................................................... 60
End of the Victorian Era (1901) → Edwardian Era (1901-1910)................................ 60
World War I (1914-1918)............................................................................................ 60
Interwar Period (1918-1939)...................................................................................... 60
Increasingly, politicians take centre stage (periods characterised much less by royalty but
by PMs)............................................................................................................................ 61
World War II (in the UK: 1939-1945).................................................................................. 1
Outbreak of War........................................................................................................... 1
Early War Years (1939–1941)...................................................................................... 1
Churchill’s Leadership (1940–1945).............................................................................1
Global Conflict (1941–1943).........................................................................................1
Turning the Tide (1943–1944)...................................................................................... 1
End of the War in Europe (1944–1945)........................................................................1
Aftermath and Post-War Period (1945)........................................................................ 1
Come again, Churchill did not win the 1945 elections?......................................................1
Surprising defeat.......................................................................................................... 1
Factors behind the Conservative defeat.......................................................................1
The public’s desire for change......................................................................................1
1945 - 1973........................................................................................................................ 1
Post-war recovery (1945-1950s).................................................................................. 1
Economic growth (1950s-1960s)..................................................................................1
Economic challenges (1970s)...................................................................................... 1
Cultural life (1945-1973)............................................................................................... 1
Decolonisation / End of Empire (1945-1973)............................................................... 1
Relations with the European Union (1945-1973)......................................................... 1
1973 - 2010........................................................................................................................ 1
Economic challenges in the 1970s...............................................................................1
Thatcher era (1979-1990)............................................................................................ 1
1990s and early 2000s................................................................................................. 1
Cultural life (1973-2010)............................................................................................... 1
Decolonisation (1973-2010)......................................................................................... 1
Relations with the European Union (1973-2010)......................................................... 1
2010-2025.......................................................................................................................... 1
Coalition government (2010-2015)...............................................................................1
Conservative government (2015-2019)........................................................................1
Brexit and Political Turmoil (2019-2020)...................................................................... 1
Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
4
Introduction to British and American culture
Lesson 1: 14/02...................................................................................................................... 8
The 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony.................................................................8
Countdown + Thames film............................................................................................8
Five minutes after the film............................................................................................ 8
Themes of the 2012 London Olympics ceremony..............................................................8
Revision topics................................................................................................................... 9
"The Composition and Representation of the Union Jack".............................................. 10
Lambrini Girls - God’s Country (2024).............................................................................. 11
Revision topics................................................................................................................. 12
James Bryce.....................................................................................................................12
John Oakland – the book. The entire book?.................................................................... 12
Chronology of significant dates........................................................................................ 13
The historical relations between England/Britain/UK and Ireland.............................. 13
The historical relations between England/Britain/UK and the EU (including France
and Germany)............................................................................................................ 14
The historical relations between England/Britain/UK and their Empire/Commonwealth
14
The historical relations between England/Britain/UK and the US.............................. 15
The historical developments in terms of democracy emerging from centuries of
monarchy....................................................................................................................15
The historical developments in terms of devolution and devolved power.................. 15
Oakland – The Context.................................................................................................... 16
Historical context and public perception...........................................................................16
Historical growth of Britain (in a nutshell)......................................................................... 17
Structural change in British society.................................................................................. 17
Exam – UK part (tentative)............................................................................................... 21
Lesson 2: 21/02 (no class)...................................................................................................21
Chronology of significant dates........................................................................................ 21
Early History..................................................................................................................... 21
The Early Middle Ages..................................................................................................... 23
The Late Middle Ages...................................................................................................... 23
Towards the Nation State (Britain)....................................................................................24
The Eighteenth Century................................................................................................... 25
The Nineteenth Century................................................................................................... 25
The Twentieth Century..................................................................................................... 26
The 1980s and 1990s.......................................................................................................28
The 1990s........................................................................................................................ 29
The Twenty-First Century................................................................................................. 29
Lesson 3: 28/02.................................................................................................................... 32
The UK+, the people, their history, the language, and locations...................................... 32
Part I - From the earliest days to 1066............................................................................. 32
Early human settlement..............................................................................................32
Bronze and Iron Age Britain....................................................................................... 33
Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
1
, Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
Celtic identity and Tribal Britain.................................................................................. 33
Oldest town? – they don’t agree.................................................................................33
Skara Brae................................................................................................................. 34
Roman invasion and settlement (43-410 AD).................................................................. 34
Roman Conquest of Britain........................................................................................ 34
Boudicca’s Revolt (AD 60–61)....................................................................................34
Impact of Roman rule................................................................................................. 34
Anglo-Saxon invasions (5th-6th Centuries)......................................................................35
Anglo-Saxon society and culture................................................................................35
Viking invasions and settlements (8th-11th c.)................................................................. 35
Power dynamics in the Anglo-Saxon period...............................................................36
Alfred the Great.......................................................................................................... 36
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle....................................................................................... 36
Norman conquest (1066)..................................................................................................36
Background and Battle of Hastings............................................................................ 36
Changes brought by Norman Rule.............................................................................37
Architectures and records.......................................................................................... 37
The Bayeux Tapestry..................................................................................................37
Legacy of the Romans............................................................................................... 37
Legacy of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes.................................................................. 38
Legacy of the Vikings................................................................................................. 38
Legacy of the Normans.............................................................................................. 38
Revision topics history up to 1066....................................................................................39
12th century struggles > Henry II..................................................................................... 40
Civil war (1135-1153)..................................................................................................40
Henry II’s legal reforms...............................................................................................40
Attempts at unification................................................................................................ 41
Richard the Lionheart (1157-1199) and the Crusades................................................41
King John................................................................................................................... 41
Magna Carta (1215)......................................................................................................... 42
The Plantagenets and the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453)...........................................42
The Plantagenets (1154–1485).................................................................................. 42
Hundred Years’ War................................................................................................... 43
The Black Death (1348–1350)................................................................................... 43
The Wars of the Roses (1455-1487)................................................................................ 43
What were the Wars of the Roses?............................................................................43
Major battles and events............................................................................................ 44
Outcomes and legacy.................................................................................................44
The Tudors (1485-1603).................................................................................................. 44
Henry VII (reigned 1485-1509)...................................................................................44
Rise to Power....................................................................................................... 44
Policies and achievements................................................................................... 44
Henry VIII (reigned 1509-1547)..................................................................................45
Religious policies..................................................................................................45
Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
2
, Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
Relations with Ireland and Wales......................................................................... 45
Six Wives..............................................................................................................45
Elizabeth I (reigned 1558-1603)................................................................................. 46
Religious policies..................................................................................................46
Cultural and economic achievements...................................................................46
Foreign policy and legacy.....................................................................................46
Revision topics up to and including the Tudors................................................................ 46
The House of Stuart (and Orange) 1603-1714.................................................................48
James I (1603-1625).................................................................................................. 48
Charles I (1625-1649)................................................................................................ 49
English Civil War (1642-1651)....................................................................................49
The Commonwealth and Protectorate (1649–1660).................................................. 49
Restoration of Charles II (1660)................................................................................. 49
James II (1685-1688)................................................................................................. 50
Glorious Revolution (1688-1689)............................................................................... 50
Start of the Hanoverian Dynasty (1714)..................................................................... 50
Oliver Cromwell................................................................................................................ 50
Religion...................................................................................................................... 50
Ireland........................................................................................................................ 51
Influence/legacy......................................................................................................... 51
Bill of Rights (1689).......................................................................................................... 51
Background................................................................................................................ 51
Key provisions............................................................................................................ 51
Legacy........................................................................................................................ 51
The Battle of the Boyne (1690)........................................................................................ 52
Revision topics – Houses of Stuart (and Orange)............................................................ 52
House of Hanover (and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha)........................................................... 54
Overview.................................................................................................................... 54
Key monarchs............................................................................................................ 54
Jacobite threats.......................................................................................................... 54
George III (reigned 1760-1820)........................................................................................55
Personal life................................................................................................................55
Conflicts......................................................................................................................55
Achievements and legacy.......................................................................................... 55
Lesson 4: 07/03.................................................................................................................... 56
Keep an eye on all module content.................................................................................. 56
Acts of Union: from England to Great Britain................................................................... 57
Laws in Wales Acts (1535 and 1542)......................................................................... 57
Acts of Union 1707..................................................................................................... 57
Acts of Union 1800 (effective 1801)........................................................................... 57
Impact of the Unions.................................................................................................. 58
Monarchs, increasingly less a ‘driving’ force.................................................................... 58
Shift from political to symbolic role............................................................................. 58
Overview of monarchs (1837–present)...................................................................... 58
Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
3
, Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
Queen Victoria (reigned 1837-1901)................................................................................ 58
Personal life................................................................................................................58
Victorian Era............................................................................................................... 59
Political and social developments.............................................................................. 59
Neither here nor there, and yet both houses: George V, House of Saxe-Coburg and
Gotha by birth and founder of the House of Windsor....................................................... 59
Personal life................................................................................................................59
During his reign.......................................................................................................... 59
Periods no longer tied to a single monarchy.................................................................... 60
End of the Victorian Era (1901) → Edwardian Era (1901-1910)................................ 60
World War I (1914-1918)............................................................................................ 60
Interwar Period (1918-1939)...................................................................................... 60
Increasingly, politicians take centre stage (periods characterised much less by royalty but
by PMs)............................................................................................................................ 61
World War II (in the UK: 1939-1945).................................................................................. 1
Outbreak of War........................................................................................................... 1
Early War Years (1939–1941)...................................................................................... 1
Churchill’s Leadership (1940–1945).............................................................................1
Global Conflict (1941–1943).........................................................................................1
Turning the Tide (1943–1944)...................................................................................... 1
End of the War in Europe (1944–1945)........................................................................1
Aftermath and Post-War Period (1945)........................................................................ 1
Come again, Churchill did not win the 1945 elections?......................................................1
Surprising defeat.......................................................................................................... 1
Factors behind the Conservative defeat.......................................................................1
The public’s desire for change......................................................................................1
1945 - 1973........................................................................................................................ 1
Post-war recovery (1945-1950s).................................................................................. 1
Economic growth (1950s-1960s)..................................................................................1
Economic challenges (1970s)...................................................................................... 1
Cultural life (1945-1973)............................................................................................... 1
Decolonisation / End of Empire (1945-1973)............................................................... 1
Relations with the European Union (1945-1973)......................................................... 1
1973 - 2010........................................................................................................................ 1
Economic challenges in the 1970s...............................................................................1
Thatcher era (1979-1990)............................................................................................ 1
1990s and early 2000s................................................................................................. 1
Cultural life (1973-2010)............................................................................................... 1
Decolonisation (1973-2010)......................................................................................... 1
Relations with the European Union (1973-2010)......................................................... 1
2010-2025.......................................................................................................................... 1
Coalition government (2010-2015)...............................................................................1
Conservative government (2015-2019)........................................................................1
Brexit and Political Turmoil (2019-2020)...................................................................... 1
Notes introduction to British and American culture (2025)
4
