Country studying

Lektion 1
The difference between the terms used to describe the UK.
The basic term which we use to describe UK usually might be used synonimally.
We use England, Great Britain and the UK.
When It comes to politics it is important to remember
The UK is the political term – an official name of the country. The country has
been called the UK since 1982. (When we say UK – always refer to a country as a
political object).
Great Britain and England – are geographical descriptions. They are not welcomed
in the sphere of policy. We use these terms speaking about nation.
In English we do avoid term @State@. Better to use nations, speaking about
International relations.
UK includes – UK, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.
Officially all these components of the UK are called @nations@.
Nations of the UK are not independent.
If a country consists of 4 nations what can prevent Scotland to be independent –
Scottish party exploits this point of view.
The UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland formed in the 1982. Before 1982
(from ) the official name of the Country was The UK of Great Britain and Ireland.
Great Britain – is the largest island of the British Islands.
The British Islands – is a group of islands located of western coast of Europe.
Islands are separated from Europe by English canal.
The term Great Britain doesn’t include Ireland. Includes 3 nations – Wales,
Scotland and England.
England – is the centr and the most developed part of the UK. The largest in terms
of area, economic influence and so on.
Nations claim that they are not England. The claim that they are parts of the UK
but NOT ENGLAND. (Why so?) (Is it for protecting their national interests?)
Brits and Britons. – Britons about people who don’t live in the UK.
British people is also possible to use for describing people from England.
The territorial development of the UK.
The UK is known as one of the oldest states in the world. British history includes
thousands of years.
England has always play the special role in the British history. The first step to the
establishment was taken in the 14 century and the first territory which was
incorporated by England was Wales.
1536 – act of Union.
The heir of the British throne has the title @Prince of Wales@. The term is used
since Wales was incorporated.
If Wales lost his political independence quite quickly, other nations weren’t
incorporated so easily.
Scotland was the next territory which was incorporated by Britain. Scotland was an
independent nation and had an enormous influence.
In the 17 England had two competitors, and Scotland in the North was one of
them. France was the another one.
Politically Wales never played an important role, on the contrary, Scotland was
much more powerful state.
Scotland started losing influence in the 16 century. From 16 century on we can’t
speak about Scotland as an independent political actor. Only as a souveren country.
In 1707 Scotland lost it’s independence formally. Scotland became officially part
of the England.
Since incorporating Scotland, England disappeared as a political unit and became
the British Empire.
Ireland is located on the different Island. Ireland is separated from England by Irish
Sea. Incorporation was a bit different.
The importance of Ireland before 16 century was not huge in comparison with
Scotland.
Before 16 century England was a perefiry. The age of discovery influenced a lot on
the development of England.
Spain controlled lands not only in the New world but in the Europe as well.
Spain was many times richer than England.
1519 – Martin spoke about the changes of Katolic Church.
England became a protestant state because king Henry wanted a divorce with his
Wife. Because of this Henry 8 changed the rules of the Church in England.
The 16 century is the period of inquisition.
Spain decides to support to the ideas of pure Christianity and help to reformation
ideas in Europe.
In the 16 century England started challenging the dominance of Spain, especially
on Sea. England was not a real threat for Spain, but became an annoying problem
for Spanish ships and trading with colonies.
Spain was finding reasons to attack England. And the reason was connected with
religion.
If England established new Church. Ireland was a catholic country. Because of that
Ireland became a subject of relations between England and Spain. People from
Ireland were more sure to help catholic rather than protestants from England. Spain
started to increase its influence on Ireland and England started to do the same.
Because of geographical position, England had more powerful influence on Ireland
rather than Spain could have.
In the end of the 16 century the military power of Spain exceeded the power of
England.
When the @Armada@ was coming, everyone in England was preparing to the
worst consequences.
Spain fleet chose the most stormy part of the sea and chose the worst time for
attacking England. @Armada@ was practically destroyed by the storm, and the
other part of @Armada@ was destroyed by English ships. Since this time, England
became be called as @The ruler of seas@.
After 1558 The UK started preparing to invasions in most possible cases.
1801 – Ireland finally lost it’s parliament and became a part of British Empire. All
characteristics of Irish independence were lost.
Till 1922 – The country became The UK and North Ireland.
In the end of the 19 century Ireland lost it’s population.
The situation in Ireland was disastrous. People in Ireland felt economically
exploiting. The opinion of people in Ireland weren’t represented in the British
parliament. Despite of England had it’s own church, Ireland remained to be
catholic.
In the 1916 happened a thing, which is called in history as @Easter rising@.
Several groups of Irish people attacked England in Dublin.
Easter rising was completely defeated by Britain.
In the 1916 England was in war with Germany, and Easter rising was evaluated as
a try to distabilise the situation in the country.
In the year 1921 – Ireland became an independent state for preventing revolutions
in Britain. But Ireland remained under the British rule. Since 1922 the UK changed
the name of the country.