- •1. Early Britain. Ancient population.
- •2. The Roman invasion.
- •4. The raids of the Danes and their role in the unification of the country.
- •5. The Norman invasion. The main principles of feudalism.
- •6. Early British education. The first universities. A medieval town.
- •7. England in the 14-15th centuries (the 100 Years’ War, the Peasants’ Revolt, the War of the Roses).
- •8. The policy of the new monarchs: Henry VII, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I.
- •9. Gaining power and expansion during the Tudor period.
- •10. British government and society in the 16th century.
- •11. British economy and the problems of the poor in the 16th century.
- •12. The Crown and Parliament during the Stuart period.
- •13. Republican and restoration Britain.
- •14. The 17th century British society.
- •15. Changes in political life in Britain in the 18th century.
- •16. Life of the British in town and in the country in the 18th century.
- •17. Industrial revolution in Britain and the war with Napoleon.
- •18. Reforms in Britain in the first half of the 19th century.
- •19. Britain’s international and home policy in the first half of the 19th century.
- •20. The years of self-confidence in Britain: industrial power, towns and the rise of the middle class.
- •22. Social and economic changes in Britain between 1876 and 1914.
- •21. The years of self-confidence: population, politics, the British Empire and life in Ireland.
- •23. Britain the World War I.
- •24. The after-effects of World War I for Britain.
- •25. Great Britain in World War II.
- •26. Britain after World War II. The Suez Canal conflict.
- •27. Attitude to the British towards the monarchy in the 20th century and Thatcher’s government.
- •32. Seas and coastline of the uk. Climate.
- •33. Britain in 1957-1979. Harold Macmillan.
- •Harold Wilson and Edward Heath
- •34. Tony Blair. Brown as Prime Minister.
- •Foreign policy. Brown remains committed to the Iraq War, but said in a speech in May 2007 that he would "learn the lessons" from the mistakes made in Iraq.
- •36. Legislative branch of government. Constitution. Passing a bill. Function of the monarch in the Parliament.
- •39. Migration in the uk.
- •37. Elections and parties. Local government. European Union.
- •38. Population of the uk. Population density and distribution.
- •40. Ethnic and geographic identity. Being British. Family and class.
- •41. The place of Britain in the world economy. Chief industries.
- •42. Agriculture. Transport and communication. Overseas trade.
- •43.Compulsory schooling. Educational reforms. Exams.
- •44. Post 16 education. Higher education.
- •45.British culture. Arts.
- •46. British culture. Science and technology. Religion. Religious, political, social and everyday contacts.
- •47. British culture. Sport. Food. National costume. Naming conventions.
- •48.British press.
- •Magazines
- •49. British radio and television. Television
- •50. Places to see in London.
10. British government and society in the 16th century.
The 16’th century is known as a Tudor period or a Tudor Monarch (from 1485 till 1603). It means that all power belonged to king, not to parliament. The monarch did not like the government through parliament. Tudor period also means that during this period England was governed by kings belonging to Tudor family. First it was Henry the Seventh, who became the king soon after the war of roses, then his son Henry the Eighth, then Edward the Eighth-the son of Henry the Eighth, after him was Mary the First and the last was Queen Elizabeth the First.
Henry the Seventh was careful to remain friendly relations with the neighbors. He made an important trade agreement with Netherlands, which allowed English trade to grow. He understood that England’s future wealth would depend on international trade. He avoided quarrels with Scotland and France.
But his son Henry the Eighth was more ambitious, hoping to play an important part in Europe. He was unsuccessful. Henry disliked the power of the Church of England, because it was an international organization. It could work against him. Both Henry the Seventh and Henry the Eighth tried to bring Wales and Ireland under English control. Wales was joined to England between 1536 and1543. In Ireland the situation was more difficult. It took a long time to destroy the old way of life and introduce English government in Ireland. The effect of English rule was greatest in the north in Ulster.
And Elizabeth considered trade the most important. She wanted to bring together again parts of English society: Catholic and Protestants which were in disagreement.
For a long time the Tudors tried to join Scotland and England. And only in 1603 after Elizabeth’s death, when James the Sixth inherited the throne, two countries were united.
So in the 16’th century Parliament did not have any great power. It met only when the monarch ordered it. Sometimes it met twice in one year. So, for example, Henry the Eighth assembled Parliament to make laws for Anglican Church reformation. During Elizabeth’s reign the Parliament met 14 times.
The Tudor monarchs could get rid of Parliament. But they did not do it, on the one hand for money, on the other hand-for support of the merchants and landowners, whose representatives sat in Parliament. This fact helped to increase the Parliament’s authority.
In the 16’th century real power in parliament moved from the House of Lords to the House of Commons. The reason for this was simple. The members of parliament in the House of Commons represented richer classes than the Lords.
In order to control discussion in Parliament, the Crown appointed a Speaker. Even today the speaker is responsible for good debates in the House of Commons. The growing authority of Parliament led to the question about the limits of its power. MPs were beginning to think that they had a right to discuss more and more questions. By the end of the 16’th century, when the gentry and merchant classes realized their strength, it was obvious that sooner or later Parliament would challenge the Crown.
The monarch began to think how to limit the Parliament’s power. It was clear that sooner or later the Parliament would get the Crown. It resulted in war- Civil War.