1. The British Isles

2.  Made up off 2 countries
 Republic of Ireland & United Kingdom (England,
Scotland, Wales, & Northern Ireland)
 Celts
 1st to reach British Isles in 450 B.C.
 Settled Wales, Scotland, & Ireland
 Angles, Saxons, and Vikings est. small kingdoms
 Came to British Isles from A.D. 400s to 1000s
 Came from Germany & Denmark
 Normans
 Came from northern France
 Conquered England & est. strong kingdom
 England grew in strength and power (became world power)

3.  Strong economy and navy help
build vast Empire for England
 Colonies est. in Americas,
India, & Australia
 Later in Africa and Asia
 1700s & 1800s
 U.K. became economic power
 Was cradle of Industrial
Revolution
 Supplies of coal & iron & labor
force promoted industries to grow
 Early Industries: powered by
coal
 Textiles
 Shipbuilding
 Iron & later steel production
 1840s food shortage in Ireland
 Lack of support from England
caused tensions

4.  World Wars & Economic competition
 Weakened U.K. in 1900s
 Ireland wanted independence
 All but Northern Ireland in 1949
 Colonies wanted independence
 Most of colonies after WWII

5.  British rule of much of world has influenced
government, people and popular culture
around the world

6.  Constitutional monarchy
 A type of democracy in which a king or queen serves as
head of state but a legislature makes the laws
 Monarchs power limited in Middle Ages
 Magna Carta: limited the powers of kings and required
everyone to obey the law
 Today:
 Prime Minister leads gov’t and has elected Parliament
 Republic of Ireland
 President is head of state
 Limited powers, but appoints Prime Minister
 Parliament and Prime Minister run gov’t

7.  Common culture traits
 Common heritage (Celts, Angles, and Saxons)
 Soccer and Rugby
 Unique Id
 Irish: Roman Catholic, speak Gaelic
 Scotland: wear kilts & play bagpipes
 Immigrants from former British colonies add to
rich culture

8.  Influences people all over globe
 English: language of business, education, and the
Internet
 Music & literature: U2, Beatles, and Shakespeare

9.  Challenges:
 Bringing peace to Northern Ireland
 Maintain powerful economy

10.  Problems dates back many years
 1500s Protestants from England and Scotland settled
Northern Ireland
 Soon outnumbered Irish Catholics
 Protestants chose to remain part of U.K.
 Catholics in Northern Ireland believe they have not been
treated fairly & want to unite with Republic of Ireland
 Two sides have waged bitter struggle for years

11.  Among Europe’s strongest
 London: capital of U.K. And center for world
trade and industry
 North Sea: energy reserves (oil and natural gas)
 Ireland: computer equipment & software
 Service Industries: banking, tourism, and
insurance

12.  Protestant majority & Roman Catholic minority
have bitterly fought each other
 Many deaths
 Catholics: believe they have not been treated fairly &
want to join Roman Catholic Republic of Ireland
 Protestants: fear becoming minority; want to remain
part of U.K.
 Peace talks continue today