Civilisation brittanique

British Civilisation Notes S1

Thursday, the 13th of September

Sablayrolles 🡪 francois.sablayrolles@univ-angers.fr

A few basic rules:

    • Focused on the lecture.

    • Be on time

    • Keep your phone off

    • Take notes

Between the lectures:

    • Be very disciplined.

    • Study your notes and make sure you have understood the lecture of the week.

The topics which will be discussed this term:

    • Present the structure of the UK.

    • Fundamentals institutions.

    • Introduction (Differences between the UK, Great Britain, England…).

    • London.

    • The British Monarchy.

    • The British Executive Power: The Prime Minister and the Cabinet (→ the Heart of the Executive).

    • The British Parliament.

    • The main political parties.

    • Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (Devolution!!).

    • Britain, the EU and Brexit.

Exam:

    • At the end of the term, will cover everything we would have seen until then → 1hour.

A state:

    • Political recognised entity.

    • Nations are different → not legal entities → not politically recognised.

    • Nations are a population groups → share a culture, common tradition, identity.

The UK:

    • One country, four Nations.

    • England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Welsh.

Great Britain:

    • England, Wales and Scotland.

    • 1536 Wales was annexed by England → Several acts to manage this.

    • 1707 Act of Union with Scotland → two acts, one in Westminster and one in Scotland.

    • Creation of Great Britain.

    • Csq → Scottish Parliament was dissolved → Scottish Matters were administered by Westminster.

    • Scotland kept his money, religion and legal system.

    • GB should not be confused with the UK!!!

The case of Ireland:

    • The Ireland divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

    • The Norman (the conqueror) presence in Ireland began in the 12th century.

    • The settlers became civilised within the years, more Irish than the Irish people.

    • In 1601, the conquest of Ireland was completed → British established their presence.

    • In the 17th century, English settlers were encouraged to colonise Ireland.

    • In 1800 Act of Union with Ireland → created the “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland” → Dissolved the Dublin Parliament so that Ireland became administrated by Westminster directly.

War of independence:

    • 1919-1921.

    • The Government of Ireland Act created a division (1920), between predominantly Protestants and Unionists.

    • Some considered themselves as British and Irish.

    • The North wanted to remain British whereas the South wanted to be independent.

    • The rest of Ireland became the Irish Free State, a self-governing dominion within the Commonwealth.

    • Became fully independent in 1949, after the Republic of Ireland Act in 1948.

    • Watch the film Micheal and Collins.

The Republic of Ireland:

    • No part of the UK.

    • Get an Irish Passport.

    • Has its own Currency is the Euro.

    • Shamrock → symbol.

    • Dublin is capital.

    • Anthem: A Soldier’s song.

    • Irish Tricolour as the flag.

Northern Ireland:

    • Part of the UK, Currency is the pound.

    • Can have Irish AND British passport as they wish.

    • Are a bit afraid about Brexit so many of them lately asked the Irish passport to remain in the EU so as to travel.

The British Isles:

    • 6,000 small Islands + two large.

    • The bigger ones: The Isle of Wight and Isle of Man.

    • The smaller Islands: Isles of Scilly, Shetlands, Hebrides, etc…

Crown dependencies:

    • The Channel Islands: Jersey, Guernsey.

    • The Isle of Man → not part of the UK, self government.

    • Own parliaments and tax systems.

    • Rely the UK on defence and foreign affairs .

British Overseas Territories:

    • They are remnants of the British Empire.

    • Not part of the UK but not independent either, self governments but Queen still the head of state.

    • Islands in the Caribbean, Gibraltar, South Atlantic and in Indian Ocean, British Antarctic Territory (see which ones).

Commonwealth:

    • Big countries that were part to the British Empire, required Independence but are still in relation with UK.

    • Commonwealth realms (40) → part of the Commonwealth but have the Queen as head of state.

Terminology:

    • Britain – British.

    • England – English.

    • Scotland – Scottish.

    • Wales – Welsh.

    • Ireland – Irish.

One country – Four Nations:

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