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• You will…–Differentiate between England, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom–Explain the structure & function of the British Government
2
• England—Region within the United Kingdom
• Great Britain—England along with Scotland and Wales
• United Kingdom—All of Great Britain plus Northern Ireland
• “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
• 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
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
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
• Responsible for making all laws and passing taxes
• Comprised of three parts:1. The House of Commons – elected
officials2. The House of Lords – appointed
officials (spiritual and hereditary)3. The Monarchy – limited power, but
must sign bills into law
Lower House
Upper House
• 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?)
• 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 !
“The Sun
Never Sets on
the British
Empire”? Th
e Em
pire
at i
ts H
eig
ht:
• 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 English Channel is a body of water between England and France that connects the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.
• 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.
1. 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. – How are these representatives placed
in office?– Who signs the laws into place?
2. What is the Executive body in the UK?– What is its function?– Who is its leader?