英语国家概况考试复习要点.doc

英语国家概况复习要点Part One UKThe Country1. Different Names for Britain and its Parts Name：England Britain Great Britain (GB/G.B.) British Isles British Empire The Commonwealth The United Kingdom(The UK) The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Parts：England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland2. Official name: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Geographically, the British Isles includes Great Britain, the whole of Ireland, and all the offshore islands Politically, the British Isles is made up of U.K. and Republic of Ireland.3. the highest mountain in Britain：Ben Nevis(本尼维斯山) the largest mountain range in Britain：the Grampians（格兰扁山脉）4. the longest river：The Severn River (塞文河) The most important river in Britain and the second longest river: Thames（泰晤士河）5. the largest lake in Britain：Lough Neagh（内伊湖） ( Northern Ireland)6. Backbone of England：the Pennies（奔宁山脉）The people7.The first known settlers of Britain were the Iberians. 人们所知的英国最早居民是伊比利来人。8.Basis of Modern English race? The earlist people known in Britain were nomads（游牧者）from mainland Europe in the Old Stone Age（旧石器时代）,followed by Neolithic（新石器时代） Iberians （伊比利亚人) and the Beaker Folk(比克人）in the Bronze Age（青铜器时代）9.the contributions made by Anglo-Saxons to the English state? .established Old English .laid the foundations of the English state . divided the country into shires . created the Witan to advise the King(the basis of the Cabinet)10. different invaders? First invasionIn 55 BC, Julius Caesar SecondCaesars second raid in 54 BC Third and finalIn 43 AD, Emperor Claudius, final and successful Roman invasion of Britain (recorded) LeftIn 410, Germanic barbarian attack Rome, forcing Roman troops to leave Britain, and thus ending its occupation of the islandHistory9. Who is known as “ the father of the British navy” ? Sir Francis Drake10. The Norman Conquest and its consequences The Norman Conquest (1066-1071) Fuse: Edward ruled for 24 years and died in January, 1066. Harold was chosen to be king. William, Duke of Normandy, heard the news of Harolds coronation, he got very angry and claimed that he had the sole right to be king of England because Edward had promised the crown to him and that Harold had promised to help him become king of England. Duke William led army and landed on the coast. The two armies met at Hastings.Consequences：v It increased the process of feudalism.v William established a strong monarchy in England.v He introduced new ideas in laws.v It brought changes in the church.v The French language came along with the Normans.11. When was the feudal system established in England?（封建制度） Under William, the feudal system was completely established. Medieval Britain (1066-1485)12. Who signed Great Charter? King John （签署大宪章）13. Great Charter (time, contents, nature) Time: Magna Carta 1215 Contents:（内容）A. the king was not to exact payments from the feudal vassals without their consent;B. the laws were not to be modified by the arbitrary action of the king;C. should the king attempt to free himself from law, the vassals had the right to force the king to obey it, by civil war or by otherwise.Nature: a feudal document14. The Hundred Years War. Time: intermittently from 1337 to 1453. Countries: France and Britain. Factors: partly territorial and partly economic The English kings wanted to get back the lost land in France. The economic interests of England and France clashed in Flanders.New national consciousness of England. Fuse: French throne successionEdward III claimed the French Crown. The French refused to recognize the claim.Three outstanding stages of the warA. At first the English were brilliantly successful.B. Henry V renewed the war in 1415 and he was recognized to the French throne in 1420.C. After Henry Vs death in 1422, the French, encouraged by Joan of Arc, their national heroine, drove the English out of France. Two decisive reasons for French to win:effective use of guns &“Joan of Arc” .Significance:The war was very expensive and it cost the English great deal of death, wealth and property, thus the feudal rule was weakened in the war. .Effects of the war: After this war, the ruling Normans began to:A. regard England as their home.B. regard themselves as belongings to the English nation.C. reestablish English (language) as their official language.D. make effort to try to develop their industry(The expulsion of the English from France is regarded as a blessing for both countries; the superior size and wealth of France would have hindered the development of separate English national identity, while French national identity was hindered so long as a foreign power occupied so much French territory.)15. The War of Roses (1455-1485). Rival groups：the House of Lancaster & the House of York . The name of the war：The Lancastrians wore the badge of the red rose and the Yorkists wore the badge of the white rose, so the war got such a name. Nature of the war：feudal civil war, for power and wealth, for the possession of the Crown.Reason： In the Hundred Years War, the loss was great. So the war-like nobles wanted to recoup for the loss, thus they all wanted to get power. The English nobles began to be divided and began to support different groups, in such a situation, the war broke out. At that time, the House of Lancaster was in power and Henry VI(1422-1461) was the king and the House of York wanted to displace the House of Lancaster. .Result:The Yorkist got complete victory, House of York 约克王朝(1461-1485) but a third House, the House of Tudor got the power. Henry VII became the king. So a new important Dynasty began in English history. Consequence：Henry Tudor won (descendant of Duke of Lancaster)Although the Wars of the Roses were waged intermittently for 30 years, ordinary people were little affected. From these wars feudalism received its death blow. The great medieval nobility was much weakened and discredited. The kings power now became supreme. This war shook off much of the feudal burden, so it paved way for the development of capitalism.16. The English Reformation. ReasonsA. The church of the Middle Ages had not been only a religious body, but also a political and legal power as well. The greed and laziness of the church hindered the social and political progress of England.B. Henry VIII had trouble in his divorce. He realized that foreign interference in England must be stopped. Course A. By a special act by parliament , Henry divorced and broke with the Pope.B. In 1534, Act of Supremacy: Henry became the head of the English Church.EffectsA. English Church became independent of Rome. The Roman Catholic church was international, the English Church was strictly national. B. The new landlords formed a new class- a new nobility. C. Those who want to change any part of the faith were called Protestants.D. Henrys trust in Parliament allowed the House of Commons to develop rapidly. .NatureThe struggle between the English Church & Catholicism was essentially a struggle between the new “nobility” of money & bourgeoisie on the one hand and the remnants of feudalism on the other.People involved A. Edward VI(1547-1553): king after Henry s deathB. “Bloody” Mary(1553-1558):daughter of Catherine, reestablished Catholicism and burnt three hundred Protestants.C. Elizabeth I (1558-1603): Queen after Mary, restored Anglican Church.17. Renassaince in England is largely literary. Important repersentatives?Distinguished Representatives：A. Sir Thomas More, the greatest English humanist, “Utopia”B.William Shakespeare(1564-1616)greatest dramatist , 37 comedies, tragedies and historiesC. poetry-Spenser, Sidney, Shakespeare & DonneD. John Miltons Paradise Lost, 1667E. English materialism-Francis Bacon(1561-1626)also a statesman& an essayist18. Civil War (1642-1649)（内战）.Background of the war（战争的背景）The absolutist rule of Charles I aroused the resistance of the people and the bourgeoisie, Charles took counteraction, the war broke out. Groups of the war A. Roundheads-supporters of Parliament free farmers; tradesmen; craftsmen B. Cavaliers/Royalists-Kings supporters Catholics; feudal lord .Consequence1649, Charles army was defeated, he was beheaded; in May 1649, England was declared a Commonwealth（共和政府时期）.In 1653, Cromwell was made Lord Protector（护国公） for life and started his military dictatorship openly. The Commonwealth became the Protectorate（摄政时期） and Parliament was dissolved. He became a“king”in all but name.19. The Glorious Revolution of 1688（1688年的光荣革命）After three years struggle, the Whig and Tory leaders at last united against James II. Being afraid of another revolution, the leaders of the two parties planned a coup Detat. In June 1688, the leaders of Parliament invited William of Holland to come and take the throne. William landed with army and he was so welcomed that James II ran away to France. William and Mary were then crowned as joint rulers. This was known in history as The Glorious Revolution.20. Whigs and Tories（辉格党和保守党）The RoundheadsThe WhigsThe Liberal PartyThe CavaliersThe ToriesThe Conservative Party21. The Industrial Revolution (1780-1830)（工业革命）.Definition （定义） During the latter half of the eighteenth century, a rapid series of extensive changes began, especially in the field of manufacturing. There were so many new inventions that the whole series of changes is often described as the “Industrial Revolution”. Inventions（发明）A. In 1750s iron smelting was revolutionized.B. In 1769, the steam engine was created by James Watt.C. In 1785, the power loom the application of power to machineryD. The use of iron and coalE. In 1764, the Spinning Jenny was inventedG. In 1814, the first successful steam locomotive. Consequences of the Industrial Revolution（工业革命的后果）A. The Industrial Revolution was not only a technological revolution but also a great social upheaval. It exerted a great influence on both British society and the world. B. The Industrial Revolution promoted the development of production. It began to produce large quantity of low- priced goods in a more efficient manner. C. New cities came into being; population increased; the home market was enlarged.D. British goods almost achieved a monopoly situation in the world market. It laid a foundation for the “ factory of the world”.E. A factory system was established. Workers were employed and managers became capitalists. F. Two conflicting classes were born .GA series of important inventions in the textile industry marked the beginning of Industrial Revolution: （工业革命） Spinning Jenny 珍妮纺纱机 Spinning mule 走锭细纱机 Power loom 动力纺纱机 Steam engine 蒸汽机 HMeans of transportation（交通方式） canals were dug to ship goods the locomotive invented in 1814 the first railway completed in 1825 large merchant fleetIBy the middle of 19th century, the Industrial Revolution was accomplished in BritainJIts influence：Britain changed in many ways （1）dramatically increased industrial productivity （2）the process of urbanization （3）changes in class structure （4）The conflict between the capitalists and the proletariansthe most important political issue22. James Watts steam engine in 1765.Government and Politics23. constitutional monarchy, the head of state is a king or a queen. 君主立宪制国家,国家的首脑是国王或女王。24. the monarch is supposed to reigns but not rule.To reign but not to rule: perform ceremonial duties; symbolic 25. three elements of parliament（议会组成） The Crown The House of Lords The House of Commons26. The main functions of Parliament（议会的主要作用）l To legislatel To vote the taxation and expenditures of the governmentl To examine government policies and administrationl To debate major current political issues27. Where does the real power lie? Cabinet（内阁） Cabinet：The major decision-making body in the government28. two parties in the UK（政党）The Labour Party: believe in the supervision of industry by the government, distribution of wealth and equal opportunity for everyoneThe Conservative Party: support private enterprise and minimal state regulation; accept the mixed economy; believe in a governing class with a natural right and special privilegesJudiciary（司法）29. There is no ministry of justice in the United Kingdom. Central responsibility lies with the Lord Chancellor the Home Secretary and the Attorney General.30. The jury composed of 12 members. 陪审团有12个成员。31. Scotland Yard(伦敦警察厅）: headquarter of the Metropolitan PoliceEducation32. the compulsory education（义务教育）Primary and secondary education in the UK is compulsory. Children between 5 -16 years old are obliged to attend school.33. two education systemprivate schools 私立学校 public schools公学34. the oldest university：OxfordOthers35. The largest religious festival：Christmas 36. The oldest newspaper：The Times37. most famous broadcasting company：the British Broadcasting Corporation（the BBC）The most desirable home: a detached house 最理想的家:独立式住宅Part Two USAThe country1. 50 states (the largest, the smallest, the purchased ones)（50个州） Alaskathe largest （阿拉斯加州） Rhode Islandthe smallest （罗德岛州） Texasthe largest on the mainland（德克萨斯州） Alaskathe purchased ones（购买）2. 13 colonies（13个殖民地） Between 1607 and 1733 the British established 13 colonies along the east coast of North AmericaDelaware 特拉华 Pennsylvania 宾夕法尼亚 New Jersey 新泽西 Georgia 乔治亚 Connecticut康涅狄格 Massachusetts 麻萨诸塞 Maryland 马里兰 South Carolina 南卡罗来纳 New Hampshire 新罕布什尔 Virginia 弗吉尼亚 New York 纽约 North Carolina 北卡罗来纳 Rhode Island 罗德岛3. 5 great lakes, the longest river?Lake Michigan; Lake Superior; Lake Huron; Lake Erie; Lake Ontariothe longest river：the Mississippi River（密西西比河）4. who discovered the new continent?In 1492, Christopher Columbus, found America, a new continent instead of India.History4. Independence warv 1775, 13 colonies began rebellionv 1776, proclamation of independencev 1777, victory at Saratoga, the turning point of American revolutionv 1781, surrender of Britainv 1783, Treaty of Paris represented the formal acknowledgement of the US as an independent nationCauses:growing intense conflicts between the British government and the American people:The British government: to bring the development of the colonies under control to collect more taxes. practiced unfair price policies put into effect many taxes: The Stamp Act: (印花税法令）an act passed by the British parliament in 1756 that raised revenue from the American colonies by a duty in the form of a stamp required on all newspapers and legal or commercialdocuments opposition by the colonies resulted in the repeal of the act in 1766the Townshend Acts(唐森德条令)All goods imported into the colonies must be taxed. They were appealed in 1770.The 13 colonies: wanted more power to determine their own business opposed the unfair treatment and all these policies. The Boston Massacre（波士顿大屠杀） (1770) Some British solders fired at the people, killed four and wounded many. The event made the people indignant. The Boston Tea Party(波士顿倾茶事件） demonstration (1773) by citizens of Boston who (disguised as Indians) raided three British ships in Boston harbor and dumped hundreds of chests of tea into the harbor organized as a protest against taxes on tea an example of the conflicts between the British government and the American people. 5. Continental congress The First Continental Congress1774 (第一次大陆会议） held in Philadelphia in September, 1774 before the war. encouraged Americans to refuse to buy British goods. Colonial militia units were organized and weapons and ammunition were collected and stored since then.Beginning of the War The shots at Lexington started the Independence War on April 19, 1775.The Second Continental Congress (第二次大陆会议） held in Philadelphia in May, 1775 three weeks after the battles of Lexington and Concord. The Congress founded a Continental Army and Navy under the command of George Washington, a Virginia militia commander.The Declaration of Independence July4, 1776 （独立宣言） drafted by Thomas Jefferson adopted by the Congress on July4, 1776 declared the independence of the 13 colonies6. Civil war（内战1861-1865）The Situation Before the War: Two economic systems in the North and the SouthNorth Capitalist Economy South Plantation The Growth of the working classUncle Toms Cabinfree and slave states (1860)Abraham Lincoln was elected president and opposed the expansion of slavery.Some southern states formed the Confederate States of America in 1861.a war to abolish slaveryUnion army Vs. Confederate armyv Surpasses all other wars for the tragedy and destructiveness.v Effect: put an end to the salve system in AmericaAftermath of the war:In south: KKK(Ku Klux Klan)In north: building an enterprising way of lifeIn west: cowboy7. Great depression (1930s)（经济危机）The stock market crash in 1929Massive unemployment, factory and mill closings, and mortgage foreclosuresA breakdown of the nations entire economy8. New DealFranklin D. Roosevelt: “New Deal” （罗斯福新政）The aim was to save American democracy and the capitalist system The programs and policies to promote economic recovery and social reformAmerican Identity9. melting pot/ “a nation of immigrants”（熔炉/“移民国家”） Reasons:.Country was settled, built, and developed by generations of immigrants. America continues to take in more immigrants than any other country. The most heterogeneous(多种多样的) societiesInfluence:America exercising far greater influence on Europe than Europe on America.10. Indian Reservations（印第安保留地）Indiansstruggle and sufferings:. first driven out of their familiar land. either wholly or partially destroyed. lose their land to white invaders. lose their peaceful family & community life.“Indian Reservations”Todays Indians:. the poorest. lower incomes. the highest unemployment, school dropout, and suicide rates. malnutrition & mental illness & short life expectancy. call of pan-IndianismPolitical Institutions11. Checks and balances （分权制衡）12. Congress（国会） The legislative branch of the federal government. Congress：Senate (参议院):2年选1/3,6年 House of Representatives (众议院):2年全选，2年表格对比：CongressMembers Be elected Terms of office representSenators 1001/3 every 2 years 6 years All of the people in a state & their interestsRepresentatives 435 every 2 years 2 years Population of “congressional districts”Congress makes all laws.Each state has two Senators, regardless of population, and, since there are 50 states, then there are 100 senators.13. General election（大选） Is elected every 4 years 4-year term of office No more than 2 full terms allowed He must convince Congressmen, the Representatives & the Senators.14. two parties（两党）the American political system is dominated by two political parties:the Democratic Party（民主党donkey） the Republican Party（共和党elephant）The Democratic Party is sometimes represented as a donkey, while the Republican Party is sometimes featured as an elephant. 15. The Supreme Court is the highest court of the U.S and is the only organ w