The Rise and Fall of the British Empire （1688-1990）
The rise and fall of the British empire
I. Whigs and Tories
Whigs and Tories
These two party names originated with the Glorious Revolution （1688）。
The names of these two political parties originated from the glorious revolution in 1688.
The Whig were those who opposed absolute monarchy and supported the right to religious freedom for Nonconformists. The Whig were to form a coalition wi th dissident Tories in the mid-19th century and become the Liberal Party.
Whigs are those who oppose absolute kingship and support Protestants’ right to religious freedom. Whigs formed the Liberal Party in the mid-19th century with the Tories who held different opinions.
The Tories were those who supported hereditary monarchy and were reluctant to remove kings. The Tories were the forerunners of the Conservative Party.
Tories are those who support hereditary kingship and are unwilling to remove the king. The Tories are the predecessor of the Conservative Party.
I. Agricultural Changes in the Late 18th Century
Agricultural Revolution at the End of 18th Century
During the late 18th and early 19th centuries， the “open-field” system ended when the Enclosure Act was passed. The movement lasted for centuries. Agricultural enclosure had good as well as bad results：
During the agricultural revolution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with the promulgation of the Enclosure Law, the traditional "open farmland" system ended. The enclosure movement lasted for nearly a century. Advantages and disadvantages of agricultural enclosure movement coexist;
（1） Farms became bigger and bigger units as the great bought up the small；
As large farms merged with small farms, farms became more and more productive units;
（2） More vegetables， more milk and more dairy produce were consumed， and diet became more varied；
People consume more and more vegetables, milk and dairy products, and their diets are more and more abundant;
（3） Enclosure was a disaster for the tenants evicted from their lands by the enclosures. These peasant farmers were forced to look for work in towns. E nclosure led to mass emigration， particularly to the New World；
Enclosure was a disaster for the tenants, who were driven out of the land and forced to look for jobs in towns. The enclosure movement led to large-scale immigration, especially to the new world.
（4） A new class hostility was introduced into rural relationships.
New class antagonism has emerged in rural relations.
II. The Industrial Revolution （1780-1830）
Industrial Revolution (1780-1830)
1.The industrial Revolution refers to the mechanisation of industry and the consequent changes in social and economic organization in Britain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
The industrial revolution refers to the mechanization of British industry in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and the resulting changes in social and economic structure.
2.Britain was the first country to industrialize because of the following factors：
Britain became the first industrialized country for the following reasons:
（1） Favourable geopraphical location. Britain was well placed geographically to participate in European and world trade；
Superior geographical position: Britain has a superior geographical position and is suitable for participating in European and world trade;
（2） Political stability. Britain had a peaceful society， which， after the 17th century， was increasingly interested in overseas trade and colonies. International trade brought wealth to merchants and city bankers. They and those who had d one well out of new farming methods provided capital in large quantities for industralization.
The political situation is stable. After the 17th century, British society was quiet, and there was growing interest in overseas trade and colonies. International trade brings wealth to businessmen and city bankers, who, together with people who have made a fortune because of the new agricultural practices, provide large amounts of money for industrialization.
（3） Good foundation in economy. The limited monarchy which resulted from the Glorious Revolution of 1688 ensured that the powerful economic interests i n the community could exert their influence over Government policy.
The glorious revolution in 1688 limited the power of the monarch, which enabled powerful economic interest groups to exert influence on parliamentary policies.
（4） It was a country in which the main towns were never too far from seaports， or from rivers， which could distribute their products.
The major towns in Britain are all close to seaports or rivers, so it is convenient to transport goods.
（5） Britain had many rivers， which were useful for transport but also for water and steam power. Britain also had useful mineral resources.
Many rivers in Britain are not only used for transportation, but also provide hydraulic and steam power. Britain still has available mineral resources.
（6） British engineers had sound training as craftsmen.
British engineers are well-trained craftsmen.
（7） The inventors were respected. They solved practical problems.
Inventors are respected and they have solved practical problems.
（8） Probably laissez faire and “Protestant work ethic” helped.
It is likely to benefit from "letting go" and "Protestant work ethics".
（9） England， Scotland， and Wales formed a customs union after 1707 and this included Ireland after 1807. So the national market was not hindered by internal customs barriers.
After 1707, England, Scotland and Wales formed a customs union, and Ireland joined after 1807. Therefore, the national market is no longer subject to internal tariff barriers.
（10） The enclosures and other improvements in agriculture made their contributions by providing food for the rising population， labour for the factories， and some of the raw materials needed by industry.
Enclosure movement and other agricultural improvements have provided food for the increasing population, labor for factories and some raw materials for industry.
3.Typical examples of the inventions during the Industrial Revolution
Industrial leather covers some major innovations.
（1） John Kay‘s flying shuttle in 1733；
In 1733, John Kay’s shuttle;
（2） James Hargreaves‘ Spinning Jenny in 1766；
James Hargreaves Jenny spinning machine in 1766;
（3） Richard Arkwright‘s waterframe in 1769；
Richard arkwright’s hydraulic loom in 1769;
（4） Samuel Crompton‘s mule in 1779
Samuel crompton’s roving spinning machine in 1779;
（5） Edmund Cartwright‘s power loom in 1784；
Force loom invented by Edmund Cartwright in 1784;
（6） James Watt‘s steam engine in 1765.
James watt’s efficient steam engine in 1765.
4.Consequences of the industrial Revolution
The result of the industrial revolution
（1） Britain was by 1830 the “workshop of the world”；
Britain has become a "world workshop";
（2） Towns grew rapidly and became the source of the nation‘s wealth.
Cities and towns have risen rapidly and become the source of national wealth.
（3） Mechanization destroyed the livelihood of those who could not invest in it . The working men worked and lived in a appalling conditions.
Mechanization destroyed the lives of people who could not participate in it. The workers work and live in terrible conditions.
（4） The industrial revolution created the industrial working class， the proletariat， and it later led to trade unionism.
The industrial revolution produced the working class, the proletariat. Later, the trade union system was formed.
III. The Chartist Movement （1836-1848）
Charter Movement (1836-1848)
1. Reasons for parliamentary reforms.
Reasons for parliamentary reform
（1） Power was monopolized by the aristocrats.
Power is controlled by nobles.
（2） Representation of town and country， and North and South was unfair.
The representation of towns and rural areas, north and south is extremely unequal.
（3） There were also various so-called rotten or pocket boroughs.
There are also various constituencies called declining or pocket constituencies.
2.Three Reform Bills
Three reform bills
Between 1832 and 1884 three Reform Bills were passed.
Between 1832 and 1884, three reform bills were passed.
a） The Reform Act of 1832 （also called the “Greater Charter of 1832） abolished ”rotten boroughs“， and redistributed parliamentary seats more fairly among the growing tows. It also gave the vote to many householders and tenant‘s， based on the value of their property.
The Reform Act of 1832 (also known as the Magna Carta of 1832) abolished the "declining constituency"; The seats have been redistributed fairly in emerging towns; Give it to many homeowners and tenants on the basis of property value.
b） The New Poor Law of 1834 forced the poor people into work houses instead of giving them sufficient money to survive in their own homes.
The new poverty law of 1834 forced the poor to enter the factory without giving them enough money to survive in their own homes.
3.A People‘s Charter
People’s charter
There was widespread dissatisfaction with the Reform Act of 1832 and the New Poor Law. In 1836， a group of skilled workers and small shopkeepers formed the London Working Men‘s Association. They drew up a charter of political demands （a People’s Charter） in 1838， with the intention of presenting it to Parliament. It had six points： （1）the vote for all adult males； （2）voting by secret ballot； （3）equal electoral districts； （4）abolition of property qualifications for members of Parliament； （5）payment of members of Parliament； （6）annual Parliaments， with a General Election every June.
The Reform Act and the New Poverty Act of 1832 caused widespread dissatisfaction. In 1836, a group of skilled workers and small shopkeepers formed the London Factory Alliance. In 1838, they drafted a charter on political demands (People’s Charter) and wanted to present it to Parliament. There are six points in the Charter: (1) All adult men have the right to vote; (2) Voting by secret ballot; (3) Equal constituencies; (4) Abolish the property qualification requirement in the election of members; (5) Members should be paid; (6) Parliament holds general elections every June.
4.Results of the Chartist Movement
The result of the Charter Movement.
Chartism failed because of its weak and divided leadership， and its lack of coordination with trade-unionism. The working class still immature， without the leadership of a political party armed with correct revolutionary theory. The Chartist movement was， however， the first nationwide working class movement and drew attention to serious problems. The 6 points were achieved very gradually over the period of 1858- 1918， although the sixth has never been practical. Lenin said that Chartism was “the first broad， really mass， politically formed， proletarian revolutionary movement.”
Due to the weakness and disagreement of the leadership and the lack of coordination with the trade unions, the Charter Movement failed. At that time, the working class was not yet mature, and there was no party leadership armed with correct revolutionary theory. However, the Charter Movement was the first nationwide movement of the working class, which attracted the attention of many serious problems. Between 1858 and 1918, the six requirements were gradually met, although the sixth one never came true. Lenin said that the Charter Movement was "the first extensive proletarian revolutionary movement with real mass participation and political organization."
I. Trade Unions and the Labour Party
Trade unions and labour parties
1. The Trade Union Act of 1871 legalized the trade unions and gave financial security.
The Trade Union Law passed in 1871 legalized trade unions and gave them financial security.
2. The Labor Party had its origin in the Independent Labor Party（ILP）， which was formed in January， 1893. In 1900， representatives of trade unions， the ILP， and a number of small socialist societies set up the Labor Representation Committee （LRC）。 The LRC changed its name to the Labor Party for the general election called for in 1906.
The Labor Party originated from the Independent Labor Party and was founded in January 1893. In 1900, representatives of trade unions, the Independent Labor Party and many small socialist organizations set up a workers’ representative committee. The general election in 1906 forced the workers’ representative committee to change its name to Labour Party in time.
II. Colonial Expansion
colonial expansion
1. The growth of dominions
The rise of dominion
English colonial expansion began with the colonization of Newfoundland in 1583. Encouraged by Britain‘s control of the seas， especially by the rising tide of emigration， British colonialists stepped up their expansion to Canada， Australia， and New Zealand， in the late 18th and the early 19th centuries. By 1900， Britain had built up a big empire， “on which the sun never set”。 It consisted of a vast number of protectorates， Crown colonies， spheres of influence， and self-governing dominions. It included 25% of the world’s population and area.
British colonial expansion began with the colonization of Newfoundland in 1583. At the end of 18th century and the beginning of 19th century, inspired by the wave of overseas immigrants, the British colonists quickly expanded to Canada, Australia and New Zealand. By 1900, Britain had established a British empire, including protected countries, British colonies, spheres of influence and dominions, accounting for 25% of the world population and area.
Canada was ceded to Britain by the 1763 Treaty of Paris. French rights were guaranteed by the Quebec Act of 1774. The Canada Act of 1791 divided Canada into Upper Canada where the British had settled， and Lower Canada populated by the French. The British North America Act of 1867 established Canada as a dominion.
The Treaty of Paris signed in 1763 ceded Canada to Britain. The Quebec Law of 1774 guaranteed the rights and interests of France. Later, in 1791, Canada was divided into upper Canada and lower Canada by "Canada Wahaha". The former was the settlement of the British and the latter was the settlement of the French. In 1867, the British North America Act established Canada as a dominion.
English began to transport convicts to Australia in 1788. Free settlement began in 1816， and no convicts were sent to Australia after 1840. The gold rushes （1851-1892） brought more people to Australia， and in 1901 the six self-governing wer united in one dominion-the independent Commonwealth of Australia.
In 1788, the British began to exile prisoners to Australia. Free settlement began in 1816, and prisoners were no longer exiled to Australia after 1840. The gold rush from 1851 to 1892 brought more people to Australia. In 1901, six dominions were unified into one dominion-the independent Commonwealth of Australia.
New Zealand became a separate colony of Britain in 1841， achieved self-government in 1857， became a dominion under the British crown in 1907 and was made completely independent in 1931.
New Zealand became an independent colony in 1841, achieved autonomy in 1857, became a dominion under the British emperor in 1907, and became completely independent in 1931.
1. The Conquest of India
Conquer India
The British East India Company established in 1600. By 1819 the British conquest of most India was almost complete. After the muting of Bengal army in 1857， the control of India passed to the British Crown and Queen Victoria became Empress of India in 1877.
The establishment of the British East India Company in 1600 is an example of economic penetration. By 1819, the British conquest of India had been basically completed. In 1857, after the local soldiers of the Bengal army of the East India Company mutinied, India was ruled by the British monarch in 1858. In 1877, Queen Victoria officially became the Queen of India.
2. The Scramble for Africa
The plunder of Africa
At the beginning of the 19th century British possessions were confined to forts and slave trading posts on the west coast. Over the 19th century the in terior of Africa was gradually discovered and colonized by Europeans. Britain led the way in the race. Apart from the colonies in the South and West， Britain was also involved in the North East in Egypt and the Sudan.
In the early 19th century, British occupation was limited to forts and slave trading points on the west coast. Throughout the 19th century, Europeans gradually discovered and colonized the interior of Africa. Britain has a big advantage in this carve-up competition. In addition to the expanding colonies in the south and west, Britain also entered Egypt and Sudan in the northeast.
3. Aggression against China
Invade China
In 1840， the Opium War broke out between Britain and China. Since then， Britain gradually invaded many coastal areas and imposed a series of unequal treaties upon China.
Britain and China launched the Opium War in 1840. Since then, Britain has gradually invaded many coastal cities in China and signed many unequal treaties.
VI. Twentieth Century
20th Century
1. Britain and the First World War
Britain and the First World War
The Work War I was fought from 1914 to 1918 primarily between two European Power blocs： “the Central power”。 Germany and Austria-Hungary， and the “Allies”， Britain， France and Russia. During the war， the Britain lost much. Apart from the loss of manpower， there had been considerable disruption of the economy and society. Out of the war settlement came the establishment of the league of Nations.
The First World War was from 1914 to 1918. The war was mainly fought between two European groups: "Allies", including Germany and Austria-Hungary, and "Allies", including Britain, France and Russia. Britain suffered heavy losses in World War I. In addition to the loss of labor, there is a huge economic and social disintegration.
2. Britain Between the Two World Wars
Britain during the two world wars
The effects of the New York Stock Market Crash of 1929 soon spread throughout Europe and by 1931 Britain was entering the Great depression.
The impact of the collapse of the new york Stock Exchange in 1929 quickly spread to Europe, and Britain entered the Great Depression in 1931.
3. Britain and the Second World War
Britain and the Second World War
As Adolf Hitler and Nazism showed off their aggressive momentum in Europe， Chamberlain， the Prime Minister， found his policy of appeasement of German aggression was no longer tenable， and was forced to declare war on Germany on September 3，1939.
When Adolf Hitler and Nazism showed their aggressive intentions towards Europe, Prime Minister Chamberlain found that his appeasement policy was untenable and had to declare war on Germany on September 3, 1939.
4. Postwar Britian
Postwar Britain
（1） One of the most far-reaching consequences of the War was that it hastened the end of Britain‘s empire.
One of the more far-reaching results of World War II was to accelerate the disintegration of the British Empire.
（2） In 1952 Princess Elizabeth was crowned Queen Elizabeth II. Many people through television saw the ceremony.
In 1952, Princess Elizabeth was crowned Queen Elizabeth II. The newly invented television made many people see the coronation ceremony.
（4） In January 1973， Britain became a full member of the European Economic Community which was still called the Common Market in 1973. Britain witnessed the first oil shock in 1973.
In January 1973, Britain finally became a full member of the European Economic Community. It was still called the common market in 1973. Britain experienced the first oil embargo in 1973.
（5） Mrs Thatcher
Thatcherism
Thatcherism referred to the policies put forward by Margaret Thatcher， the first woman prime minister in England in 1979. The main contents of her policies included the return to private ownership of state-owned industrie s， the use of monetarist policies to control inflation， the weakening of trade unions the strengthening of the role of market forces in the economy， and an emphasis on law and order. To some extent her program was successful and she led one of the most remarkable periods in the British economy.
In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became the first female prime minister in Britain. The policy she proposed was called "Thatcherism". Its contents include privatization of state-owned industries, adopting monetarism policy to control inflation, weakening the influence of trade unions, strengthening the role of market factors in the economy, and emphasizing law and order. To a certain extent, her plan is successful. She led the British economy through one of the more prosperous periods.