1. The Countries of Europe:
Culture, Politics & History

2. Learning Targets: You will…
Differentiate between England, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom
Explain the structure & function of the British Government

3. Explain the difference between England, Great Britain, & the United Kingdom using this map.

4. England? Great Britain? The United Kingdom?
England—Region within the United Kingdom
Great Britain—England along with Scotland and Wales
United Kingdom—All of Great Britain plus Northern Ireland

5. Northern

6. Magna Carta “Great Charter”
Group of nobles used influence of their money to limit the absolute power of King John in 1215
First time a monarch gave power to the people
King had to obey laws of the land

7. Look Familiar?
King John of England

8. Why give up power?
Nobility provided king with money and men to defend territory
If English kings were militarily successful abroad, relations with nobility were good.
John not successful in military campaigns abroad
Demands for more money and men anger nobles
John introduced high taxes without asking nobles
Against feudal law and accepted customs

9. How can Britain have a constitution and a parliament but still be a monarchy?
Monarchy (king/queen)
Represents Britain
Has limited power
Parliament
Makes laws (based upon the Constitution)
Collects taxes

10. The United Kingdom Key Terms:
Parliament—the lawmaking body of the United Kingdom (like our Congress)
Constitution—a set of laws that governs how a government works
Constitutional Monarchy—a government in which a monarch is head of the state but has limited power

11. British Parliament Responsible for making all laws and passing taxes
Comprised of three parts:
The House of Commons – elected officials
The House of Lords – appointed officials (spiritual and hereditary)
The Monarchy – limited power, but must sign bills into law
Lower House
Upper House

12. House of Commons

13. House of Lords

14. (The executor…much like our?)
British Government
Headed by the British Prime Minister who is the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons
S/he selects Government Ministers to head specific governmental departments from the House of Commons/Lords
They make sure that all laws are enforced
Current PM: David Cameron
(The executor…much like our?)

15. British Parliamentary Debates

16. The Monarchy Current monarch: Queen Elizabeth II
Most of her responsibilities are ceremonial – e.g. bestowing titles (knighthoods, etc.)
Her heir: Prince Charles (Prince of Wales)
His heir: Prince William (Duke of Cambridge)
His heir: (Baby) Prince George of Cambridge !

19. “The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire”?
In 1500s British had extensive trade network of colonies
Empire was on six continents
Sun literally never set on some part of it!
Ended in 1900s after WWI
“The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire”?
The Empire at its Height:

20. The English Channel is a body of water between England and France that connects the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.

21. The Channel Tunnel (Chunnel)
Links the United Kingdom and France.
Opened in 1994.
Lies beneath the English Channel
Consists of three parallel tubes, two of which carry trains between the United Kingdom and France.
Third tube is a service tunnel for maintenance or emergency evacuations.

23. Review… What is the Legislative body in the UK?
What is its function?
Name the lower house.
How are these representatives placed in office?
Name the upper house.
Who signs the laws into place?
What is the Executive body in the UK?
Who is its leader?