Lecture 2

English History

wanghuimei@bjut.edu.cn

Abstract

• The importance of learning the history of Britain: a necessary part of our general knowledge; helpful to us in our reading, our conversation and in our sight-seeing.

• We can divide British history into the following stages (periods of development): the Middle Ages---the 16th century---the 17th century---the 18th century---the 19th century---the 20th century

Focus Questions(part one)

• What were the main features of the Middle Ages? Illustrate why the pope in Rome in the Middle Ages had so much power?

• Why was the 16th century so important to English history and European history? Discuss the importance of the Elizabethan age in English history.

• What was the one important event that took place in the 17th century?

Focus Questions (part two)• What were the major events that were happening

to 18th-century Britain? What changes took place during the Industrial Revolution in the latter part of the 18th century? What was the impact of the Industrial Revolution on English society?

• Take some examples to explain the atmosphere of Victorianism in the 19th century.

• Describe Britain in the 20th century.

The Middle Ages

• The Middle Ages（中世纪） in European history refer to the period from the forth or fifth century to the 15th century. The 16th century is a transformative period, while the 17th century when English Bourgeois Revolution took place is referred to as the beginning of the modern period.

• Important happenings in the Middle Ages

Important Happenings in the Middle Ages

• The Norman Conquest (1066) and its influence.诺曼征服及其影响

• The Crusades and its purpose.十字军东征及其目的

• The Great Charter(1215). 英国大宪章• The Hundred Years’ War(1346-1453). 英法百年战争

The Norman Conquest (1066) and its Influence

• The French-speaking Normans under William the Conqueror invaded England from France, defeating the Saxon king Harold at the Battle of Hastings.

• Its influence: The Norman Conquest sped up the development of Feudalism in England and contributed to its final and firm establishment in England.

The Crusades and its Purpose

• From the 11th century to 14th century, there were a series of wars in which armies from all over Europe tried to snatch the Holy Land from the Infidels. The armies were made up Christians who were induced by the Pope in Rome to grab Palestine, where Jesus Christ once lived , from the Muslims.

• The real purpose of the Crusades was to take advantage of this chance to expand to the East and get overseas land and wealth.

The Great Charter• Background: The powerful local chiefs called barons were

great rivals of the king’s authority and always causing trouble.

• They made King John sign a document called the Magna Carta (Great Charter) by which he promised to recognize their rights.

• Later, with the help of the Pope, John was able to prevail against the barons.

• The Magna Carta attempted to limit the kings’ power. It is generally considered as the basis of the British Constitution and is now in the British Museum, London.

The Hundred Years’ War• Background: Kings of this period spoke French as their moth

er tongue, and had close family connections and extensive territories in France. Disputes between the 2 countries were common.

• A war between them lasted on and off for 100 years and was fought entirely in France, with France defeated and falling into English hands .

• Inspired by Joan of Arc(圣女贞德 ), the French drove the English from France for good.

• England was completely severed from France. The English language replaced French.

The 16th Century(part one)• The end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the modern

period.• The invention of printing.• The age of great voyages of discovery by Columbus and

Vasco da Gama.• The beginning of the imperialist expansion resulting in

Europeans establishing throughout the American continent.• The beginning of the freedom of thought in Christianity and

the decline of both the Pope’s religious authority and his political power. Protestant churches versus Roman Catholic ones.

The 16th Century(part two) Important events and kings or queens

• Henry VIII: the English Church broke away from the central organization of Christianity and Protestant doctrines began to spread.

• Bloody Mary: as a devout Catholic, she had many Protestants burnt to death.

• Elizabeth: she stopped religious persecution and Protestantism gradually became the dominant faith. Later, however, Protestants persecuted Catholics for political reasons.

The Elizabethan AgeAn Age of Glory

• Literature: Shakespeare. An age when Shakespeare lived and English literature blossomed.

• Adventures on the sea: English ships began to explore the world and trade with distant countries. Conflicts with Spain(both on the sea and in religious beliefs).

The 17th Century Temporary Overthrow of Monarchy and Republic Founded by Cromwell

• King Charles I: conflicted with Parliament and was beheaded in Civil War.

• King Charles II: punished those responsible for killing his father but was not allowed to go against the interests of Parliament and people.

• Mary: Catholic king James II was forced to flee to France and the throne was offered to his Protestant daughter.Glorious Revolution.

The 18th CenturyMajor Events

• England was continually at war with France e.g. the Battle of Waterloo (the most famous victory: Duke of Wellington over Napoleon) and the Battle of Trafalgar (a naval victory: Lord Nelson over Napoleon).

• The Industrial Revolution: the invention of the steam engine.

• The loss of American colonies: the independence of America.

The Industrial Revolutionin the latter part of the 18th century

• Factories multiplied; so did coal-mines. Big towns were springing up. The nation was able to produce more. Some people grew rich.

• Industrialization also brought problems: it created an entirely new social class--- the industrial workers whose wages were low, hours were long and working conditions unhealthy and dangerous.

Changes in the 19th Century• Towards democracy: Reform Bill, franchise• The greatest progress: communications---the life-blood

of a modern state: a railway network (Stephenson’s locomotive); electricity (telegraphy, electric telephone, electric lighting and electric trams) and the Penny Post

• The atmosphere of Victorianism• An age of imperialism: Britain had the lion’s share

when European powers divided Africa into “sphere of influence”

The Atmosphere of Victorianism

• The longest reign in British history was the great Queen Victoria.

• Victorianism is an age of national development and national optimism.

• Victorian family life: stable

• The children: strictly disciplined

• The family virtues: religious BibleBible or God versus The Origin of Species The Origin of Species (Charles Darwin)

The 20th century• Stability collapsed: 1)Labor Par

ty & Socialism= the class war 2)the women woke up and asked for the right to vote=“suffragette” movement. 3)the trouble in Ireland

• A catastrophe: the First World War(1914-18)

• Great “slump” of the early 1930’s

• Another human disaster: the Second World War (1939-45)

• New discoveries and techniques

Britain and World War I• Britain became involved because her old

enemy with whom she had made friends---France who was being attacked by Germany.

• By the end of the war, 10 million people were killed and many others crippled for life: the British were exhausted.

• Franchise was extended to all adults, including women and the Southern part of Ireland gained independence.

Britain and World War II• Fascism and fascists: Mussolini in Italy (who invaded

Abyssinia) and Hitler in Germany (who persecuted the Jews)

• Dunkirk: the British army narrowly escaped destruction.

• The ‘blitz’ of 1940: Hitler sent bombers to bomb London day and night.

• The ‘Battle of Britain’: the British fighter planes fought back and won. Hitler’s planned invasion was abandoned.

• The opening of the 2nd battle field: British and American armies sailed from North Africa to invade Italy, thus forcing Hitler to fight in the 2nd battle field in the South as well as against Russia in the East .

Summary

• Britain used to be a power country in the world history and play a critical role in maintaining world peace and stability.

• Britain is a small power now in comparison to America and herself in the past. However, she is still widely respected and may have an important part to play in building a better, safer and a more peaceful world.

Assignment

• Review the discussion questions related to today’s topics concerning the British history.

• Get well-prepared to answer simple questions next week.