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Britain: An Introduction

Britain: An Introduction. I. Objectives. In this chapter we will look at some general features of Britain and set the scene for the more detailed examination of particular aspects of life there which are dealt with in later chapters. II. Focal Questions.

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Britain: An Introduction

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  1. Britain: An Introduction

  2. I. Objectives • In this chapter we will look at some general features of Britain and set the scene for the more detailed examination of particular aspects of life there which are dealt with in later chapters.

  3. II. Focal Questions • What is the full name of the British state? What countries does it consist of? • Think of the most well-known symbols and tokens of nationality in China. Are they the same types of real-life objects (e.g. plants, clothes) as those in Britain?

  4. II. Focal Questions • In 1970, the BBC showed a series of programs about the history of the British Empire. Before the series started, they advertised it. The advertisement mentioned “England’s history”. Within a few hours, the BBC had received thousands of angry calls of protest and it was forced to make an apology. Who do you think the angry callers were? Why did the BBC apologize?

  5. III. Procedures • Presentation by students — Focal questions • Lectures by the teacher • Class discussion — Exploitation Activities • Assignment for the next chapter

  6. IV. Teaching hours • 4 hours

  7. V. Content • Related names • Cultural information • Physical geography • The people

  8. Related Names • the UK • Britain • Great Britain • British Isles • England • the Republic of Ireland • British Empire • British Commonwealth

  9. British Isles • northwest of Europe in the Atlantic Ocean • two large islands (Great Britain and Ireland) and hundreds of small islands

  10. British Empire ¼ of the world’s land area and population

  11. British Commonwealth a loose association connected more economically than politically

  12. Cultural Information • John Bull • God Save the Queen • Four parts of the nation • the Union Jack

  13. John Bull • A personification of the English nation or a typical Englishman • John Arbuthnot History of John Bull(1712) • John Bull, Nicholas Frog, Louis Baboon • A jovial but determined man wearing a union-jack waistcoat and accompanied by a bulldog • Straightforward, independent, bold, fearless, quarrelsome, kind-hearted and bull-headed

  14. God Save the Queen • the national anthem of the United Kingdom and its colonies, and the royal anthem of the British Royal Family, • Melody composed by Dr Henry Carey • first public performance in 1740, Admiral Edward Vernon, Spanish harbour of Porto Bello • played at a slow and somber pace

  15. God save our gracious Queen,Long live our noble Queen,God save the Queen!Send her victorious,Happy and glorious,Long to reign over us;God save the Queen! O Lord our God arise,Scatter her enemiesAnd make them fall;Confound their politics,Frustrate their knavish tricks,On Thee our hopes we fix,God save us all! From every latent foe,From the assassins blow,God save the Queen!O'er her thine arm extend,For Britain's sake defend,Our mother, prince, and friend,God save the Queen! Lord grant that Marshal WadeMay by thy mighty aidVictory bring.May he sedition hush,And like a torrent rush,Rebellious Scots to crush.God save the King!

  16. Table 1

  17. Table 2

  18. Capital & Emblem rose thistle leek and daffodil shamrock

  19. Rose and England The War of Roses Two families: the House of York (white rose) and the House of Lancaster (red rose) Henry VII (the Lancaster) and Elizabeth of York (the York) The Tudor Rose Henry VIII and the stabilization of the throne in England

  20. Thistle and Scotland • A prickly-leafed purple flower • First used in the 15th century as a symbol of defence • King McBeth and the Viking raiders on the Scottish coast

  21. Leek, Daffodil and Wales • The colors green and white • Daffodil was used in the fifteenth century as a sign of recognition by supporters of Henry VII. • Leek was used as a cap badge in battle to tell friend from foe. • Both are worn on St. David’s day.

  22. Shamrock and Ireland • A three-leafed plant • Used by St. Patrick to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity • Triads, or groups of three, were of major significance in ancient Ireland. • Included in the bouquet of an Irish bride, and also in the boutonniere of the groom • An integral part of an old tradition called "drowning the shamrock."

  23. Patron Saint & Flag

  24. St. George and England • A 3rd century Christian soldier, later a martyr, with a shield that bears a red cross on a white background. • Also known as the Victory Bringer • The legend with the dragon • Having rescued the English from the Moslems during the Crusades

  25. St. Andrew and Scotland • First a fisherman, later the 1st of the 12 Apostles • Crucified on a cross saltire -- an 'X'-shaped cross. • Scotland as the “ends of the Earth” • The Picts and Scots vs. the Saxons

  26. St. David and Wales • The only Welsh saint worshiped in the Western Church • A 6th century Celtic monk, leading an austere life devoted to God, vegetarian • Establishing several monasteries in Wales and western England

  27. St. Patrick and Ireland • Apostle of Ireland • Born in Scotland, captured and sold into slavery to Ireland at 16 • Escaped but later returned to spread Christianity • Competition with the pagan priests • Red saltire on a white background as his emblem

  28. Four Parts of the Nation

  29. The Union Jack Fusion of three different emblems into a Union Flag, recording the growth of one kingdom out of the successive union of three crowns • 1536 Act of Union, Kingdom of England Henry VIII

  30. 1707 Act of Union, Kingdom of Great Britain Queen Elizabeth I, James VI & I Union Flag first used in 1606, sanctioned in 1707 by Queen Anne

  31. 1801 Act of Union, Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland George III current Union Flag adopted on Jan. 1st, 1801 • 1922, Irish Free State, or the Republic of Ireland • 1927, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

  32. Physical Geography • An Overview • Four parts of the country • England • Scotland • Wales • Northern Ireland • Rivers & lakes • Climate

  33. Britain is an island country, situated in the northwest of Europe and surrounded by the sea. It lies in the north Atlantic Ocean off the north coast of Europe, and is cut off from the continent by the English Channel in the south and the North Sea in the east. The country covers an area of 244,100 km2. It runs 1,000 km from north to south and extends, at the widest part, about 500 km. It consists of Scotland, Wales and England, and also the northern fifth of Ireland. The British coast is long and has good, deep harbors. An overall view (I)

  34. The country is slowly tilting with the Northwest slowly rising and the Southeast slowly sinking. The north and west of the country are mainly highlands, while the east and southeast are mostly lowlands. Overall view (II)

  35. England • the largest, southern part of the island, covering an area of 130,000 km2, taking up 60% of the land area of the whole country • The highest peak in this region is Scafell (978 m) in the Lake District in north-west England, while the eastern part is mainly an open cultivated plain. • London, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool are the major cities.

  36. London (I) London is the capital of England and of Great Britain, the political center of the Commonwealth, and a major port, 65km from the mouth of the River Thames. Administratively it consists of: ①the City of London, the original nucleus, retaining a medieval system of government of courts of aldermen and an elected lord mayor. ②Greater London, a metropolitan county, made up of 12 Inner London boroughs and 20 Outer London boroughs.

  37. London Map

  38. London • The City, on the north bank of the Thames, is one of the world's leading banking and financial centers. It contains Guildhall (1411-23) and St Paul's Cathedral (1675-1710). The Port of London lies to the east and its docks extend for 25 miles along the Thames. The Tower of London (11th c.) lies just east of the City. The West End includes Westminster, the area of central government administration, St James' Palace (1521-1533), several parks, and fine examples of domestic architecture (esp. 18th-19th centuries). Industries (esp. in the East End and the suburbs): printing, publishing, electrical and mechanical engineering, chemicals, clothing, food processing, plastics. Some of London's cultural institutions are the University of London (1836), the British Museum (1753), the National Gallery (1838), the Covent Garden Opera House (1856-1858) and Royal Festival Hall (1951).

  39. London Tower back

  40. St. Paul Cathedral back

  41. Big Ben back

  42. British Museumback

  43. Westminster Abbey back

  44. The Buckingham Palaceback

  45. The Thames back

  46. Tower Bridge back

  47. Scotland back • mainly composed of mountains, lakes and islands • covering an area of 78,760 km2 • Ben Nevis (1,343 m) is the highest peak in Britain. • Edinburgh is the capital city. • Three natural zones: the Highlands in the north the central Lowlands the Southern Uplands

  48. Ben Nevis back

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