GGreat reat
BBritainritainThe Impact of the Past The Impact of the Past
on theon the Development Development
of of the Britishthe British
Political SystemPolitical System
The The British IslesBritish Isles are a group of islands are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental off the northwest coast of continental
Europe.Europe.
They are bounded on the west They are bounded on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, the by the Atlantic Ocean, the Celtic Sea, St. George’s Celtic Sea, St. George’s Channel, the Irish Sea and Channel, the Irish Sea and Ireland.Ireland.
to the north . . . the North Sea,to the north . . . the North Sea,
to the south, the English to the south, the English ChannelChannel
CONSTITUENT COUNTRIES CONSTITUENT COUNTRIES OF THE OF THE BRITISH ISLESBRITISH ISLES
The The British IslesBritish Isles comprise comprise Great Britain, Ireland, and Great Britain, Ireland, and
a number of smaller islandsa number of smaller islands (Isle of Man & Channel Islands). (Isle of Man & Channel Islands).
Two sovereign states located in Two sovereign states located in the islands:the islands:
The The United KingdomUnited Kingdom of Great Britain of Great Britain andand Northern Northern IrelandIreland
++ TheThe
Republic of Republic of IrelandIreland
THE THE UNITED KINGDOM OF UNITED KINGDOM OF
GREAT BRITAIN GREAT BRITAIN ANDAND NORTHERN NORTHERN IRELANDIRELAND
The The United Kingdom United Kingdom is is a constitutional monarchy a constitutional monarchy composed of 4 constituent composed of 4 constituent countriescountries
EnglandEngland
ScotlandScotland
Wales &Wales &
Northern Ireland.Northern Ireland.
British IslesBritish Isles / / UKUK / / BritainBritain / / EnglandEngland
THE UNION JACK
The The Union FlagUnion Flag (also known as (also known as
the the Union JackUnion Jack)) is the national is the national flag of the United Kingdom of flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Great Britain and Northern IrelandIreland.
Its design includes the flags
of England Scotland
Ireland
ENGLANDENGLAND
EnglandEngland the largest & most populous the largest & most populous constituent country of the constituent country of the United Kingdom of Great United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Britain and Northern Ireland.
CapitalCapital: London.: London.FlagFlag: St. George’s cross.: St. George’s cross.
SSCOTLANDCOTLAND
ScotlandScotland is one of the is one of the four constituent countries of four constituent countries of the United Kingdom of Great the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Britain and Northern Ireland.
CapitalCapital: Edinburgh.: Edinburgh.
FlagFlag: Cross of Saint Andrew.: Cross of Saint Andrew.
WALESWALES
WalesWales is one of four is one of four constituent countries of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom of Great Britain United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. and Northern Ireland.
CapitalCapital: Cardiff.: Cardiff.FlagFlag: the red dragon of Prince : the red dragon of Prince Cadwalader plus the Cadwalader plus the
Tudor colours .Tudor colours .
TTHEHE RREPUBLIC EPUBLIC OFOF IIRELANDRELAND
The Republic of The Republic of IrelandIreland is a member of is a member of the European Union. the European Union.
CapitalCapital: Dublin.: Dublin.
FlagFlag: Green, white, : Green, white, orange.orange.
NORTHERN IRELANDNORTHERN IRELAND
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland – –
The Irish province of The Irish province of UlsterUlster remains remains occupied as occupied as Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland, still a , still a part of the United Kingdom and 1 of 4 part of the United Kingdom and 1 of 4 constituent countries of constituent countries of the United the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland.
CapitalCapital: Belfast.: Belfast.FlagFlag: the : the Union FlagUnion Flag is the is the
officialofficial flag flag. . . Wanna fight about . . . Wanna fight about
it?it?
BritannBritanniaia
Insulae Insulae EstEst
From From Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s Richard IIIRichard III : :
This other Eden, demi-paradise, This other Eden, demi-paradise, This fortress built by Nature for This fortress built by Nature for herself herself Against infection and the hand of Against infection and the hand of war, war, This happy breed of men, this This happy breed of men, this little world, little world, This precious stone set in the This precious stone set in the silver sea, silver sea, Which serves it in the office of a Which serves it in the office of a wall, wall, Or as a moat defensive to a house, Or as a moat defensive to a house, Against the envy of less happier Against the envy of less happier lands, lands, This blessed plot, this earth, this This blessed plot, this earth, this realm,realm,
this this EnglandEngland,,
Geographic ProvidenceGeographic Providence - - England England is anis an islandisland
InsularityInsularity
Relative peace & Relative peace & securitysecurity Ethnic, linguistic, religious . . . Cultural Ethnic, linguistic, religious . . . Cultural HomogeneityHomogeneity
Less Less need forneed for a standing army a standing army Navy . . . Navigation . . . Navy . . . Navigation . . . Necessity of Necessity of TradeTrade FarFar distant from papal authority distant from papal authority
Greater independence and self governanceGreater independence and self governance
We’ll return to these points laterWe’ll return to these points later
TTRADITIONRADITION PPERMEATES ERMEATES BBRITISH RITISH
POLITICSPOLITICS
The Opening of The Opening of Parliament – Parliament –
Black RodBlack Rod& the Slammed Door& the Slammed Door
Pageantry, drama, Pageantry, drama, history, & legitimacyhistory, & legitimacy
Members of Members of House of House of CommonsCommons are each are each
yearyear summonedsummoned to to Lord’s Chamber Lord’s Chamber to to
dutifully dutifully hear thehear the Queen’s commands to Queen’s commands to ParliamentParliament for the next for the next
year’s session year’s session inin thethe “ “Queen’s Queen’s
Speech from the Speech from the ThroneThrone””
““Queen’s Speech Queen’s Speech from the Thronefrom the Throne””
NOT her speech!NOT her speech!She did not write it She did not write it She may not even She may not even agree with it . . . agree with it . . .
But she MUST read it But she MUST read it to Parliamentto Parliament
Who’s in charge?Who’s in charge?
Parliament vs. the Monarch
A bit of background . . . .
House of Commons, 1642House of Commons, 1642King Charles I led troops into Commons to arrest 5 leading King Charles I led troops into Commons to arrest 5 leading
dissident Members of Parliament (MPs). dissident Members of Parliament (MPs). the five received warning, escaped. Avoided bloodshed on the the five received warning, escaped. Avoided bloodshed on the
floor of House of Commons.floor of House of Commons. Finding the five had flown, the King angrily threatened the Finding the five had flown, the King angrily threatened the
Speaker, Lenthall, whose reply has become legendary, -Speaker, Lenthall, whose reply has become legendary, -
““May it please your May it please your Majesty, I have neither Majesty, I have neither eyes to see, nor tongue eyes to see, nor tongue to speak in this place, to speak in this place, but as but as this Housethis House is is pleased to direct me, pleased to direct me, whose servant I amwhose servant I am.”.” - - Speaker Speaker LenthallLenthall
A yearly A yearly drama drama reminding reminding Britons ofBritons of wherewhere
PowerPower
resides . . .resides . . .
King ? or King ? or Commons?Commons?
What’s the symbolism?
Traditions, Rituals, Ceremony,Traditions, Rituals, Ceremony,and Pageantryand Pageantry
reinforcereinforce the the dignitydignity of government of government legitimizelegitimize government by evoking historical government by evoking historical
memoriesmemories impressimpress upon Govt officers weight of office - upon Govt officers weight of office -
dignity, responsibility, dutydignity, responsibility, duty provide provide continuitycontinuity w/ pastw/ past engender engender legitimacy & patriotismlegitimacy & patriotism through through
pageantrypageantry promotepromote national national unityunity
Prehistoric to 1000 yrs Prehistoric to 1000 yrs agoago
Earliest Earliest BritainBritainCeltic BritainCeltic Britain (arrive 500 BC) (arrive 500 BC)Romano-Celtic BritanniaRomano-Celtic Britannia (43 AD to (43 AD to
410). 410). (Romans 1(Romans 1stst arrived 55 BC) arrived 55 BC)Roman law, peace, trade, ChristianityRoman law, peace, trade, ChristianityHadrian’s WallHadrian’s WallWithdrawal of Roman power in 5Withdrawal of Roman power in 5thth
Century ADCentury ADAngles, Saxons, Jutes Angles, Saxons, Jutes 55thth Century CenturyNorman EnglandNorman EnglandThe DanelawThe Danelaw
Celtic Britain:BritonsScotsWelshIrishCornish
CelticCeltictribes oftribes of BritainBritain
Celtic BritainCeltic Britain
Anglo-Saxon Britain feudal aristocracy - weak
kings Post Roman reality -
memory of central govt and its desirability but
feudal fractionalization Anglo-Saxon Witan
King's council of noblestribal, clannish, scattered
powerRelated to Scandinavian /
Viking system• eg. Icelandic ALTHING
lacked focus / centralization / power too dispersed
The Lord's Prayer in Olde English Matthew 6:9-13 Fæder ure þu þe eart on heofonum; Father our thou that
art in heavensSi þin nama gehalgod be thy name hallowed
to becume þin rice come thy kingdom
gewurþe ðin willa be-done thy will
on eorðan swa swa on heofonum. on earth as in heavens
urne gedæghwamlican hlaf syle us todæg our dailybread give us todayand forgyf us ure gyltas and forgive us our sins
swa swa we forgyfað urum gyltendum as we forgive those- who have-sinned-against-usand ne gelæd þu us on costnunge and not lead thou us into temptationac alys us of yfele. soþlice but deliver us from evil. truly.
Norman EnglandNorman England
Norman ConquestNorman Conquest
William the . . . . unofficial heirWilliam the . . . . unofficial heir1066 battle of Hastings1066 battle of Hastings
• William… the ConquerorWilliam… the Conqueror
Centralization of powerCentralization of powerDomesday BookDomesday BookExchequerExchequer
Norman EnglandNorman EnglandNorman ConquestNorman Conquest
brought Wm's own nobility & a plan to brought Wm's own nobility & a plan to organize & govern Englandorganize & govern England
* William replaced the entire English * William replaced the entire English ruling class w/Norman noblesruling class w/Norman nobles
and his rule was backed by brutal and his rule was backed by brutal military power and much better military power and much better administration planadministration plan
Norman EnglandNorman England
and so political stability & centralization and so political stability & centralization were brought to England relatively were brought to England relatively early: earlier than in continental Europeearly: earlier than in continental Europe
* however, while sovereign power * however, while sovereign power resided in the Monarch,resided in the Monarch,
British Kings were still expected to British Kings were still expected to consult w/the earls, barons, and consult w/the earls, barons, and leading clergymen (i.e., nobility) in leading clergymen (i.e., nobility) in order to declare laws and levy taxesorder to declare laws and levy taxes
NormanNorman ReformsReformsMagna CartaMagna Carta 1215 1215 – explicit protection of– explicit protection of feudal customs, rights, and lawfeudal customs, rights, and lawRule of law Rule of law – the LAW is the King– the LAW is the KingLimited monarchyLimited monarchy
implies individual rightsimplies individual rightspower sharingpower sharingKing rules w/ Lord’s advice & consent – King rules w/ Lord’s advice & consent –
parliamentparliamentMixed monarchyMixed monarchy
Common LawCommon Law
Common LawCommon Law Prior to Norman Conquest,1066, justice was Prior to Norman Conquest,1066, justice was
administered primarily by county courtsadministered primarily by county courts Courts were presided over by diocesan bishop or Courts were presided over by diocesan bishop or
by county sheriffby county sheriff
both ecclesiastical & civil both ecclesiastical & civil jurisdiction.jurisdiction.
Trial by JuryTrial by Jury began in began in these courts.these courts.
Common LawCommon LawBy 1150s Henry II began sending judges By 1150s Henry II began sending judges
from his own central court to hear disputes from his own central court to hear disputes throughout England,throughout England,
resolving cases on an resolving cases on an ad hocad hoc basis. basis.Judge-made law, legal precedent, jury
trial, - Supremacy of Law
Stare DecisisStare Decisis - - PrecedentPrecedentcurbed power of canonical (church) courts curbed power of canonical (church) courts
and manoral courts (feudal)and manoral courts (feudal)
Magna Carta of 1215 King John recognized it as a right of his
subjects “to have common council of the kingdom” for the assessment of extraordinary aids Taxation crafting law war military conscription
Consequences of Common LawConsequences of Common Law
conflict of King w/ churchconflict of King w/ churchmost famously with most famously with Thomas Thomas á á BecketBecket, Archbishop of , Archbishop of
CanterburyCanterburyWrit of Right - Royal order for a feudal lord to
provide justice to plaintiff or the King would intercede through the Sheriff
• ))Writ of Praecipe - ignored manoral courts, ordered disputed lands to be restored to plaintiff or have defendant appear in King’s Court to explain
• ))in effect an automatic presumption against the feudal lord
)encouraged and empowered the rising middle class
Wales
Edward I brings Wales under British sovereignty in 1283
Prince of Wales
Sovereignty
power was still largely in the hands of the Monarchy who ruled by divine right
Kings and Queens of Britain were practicalities nonetheless required to consult Parliament before levying taxes or making law
tensions b/n Crown and Parliament grew.
* Parliament’s power got a major boost during the reign of Henry VIII (1509-1547) when Henry formed a partnership w/ the Parliament in his struggle w/ Rome
Henry VIII wanted a divorce because Catherine couldn’t bear him a male child,
Pope wouldn’t grant it so Henry (w/Parliament’s consent) bolted
Catholic Church and created Church of England : Henry’s new church, with Henry as its head,
granted the divorce
Protestant ReformationProtestant Reformation
Henry VIIIHenry VIIIBreak w/ RomeBreak w/ Rome
Elizabeth IElizabeth I
1588 Defeat of the1588 Defeat of the Spanish Armada Spanish Armada ColonizationColonizationMercantilismMercantilismCommercial CultureCommercial Culture
James IJames I and the Stuart dynasty stew and the Stuart dynasty stew
Good Queen Bess
Elizabeth I
Eventually the tensions b/n the institutions boiled over,
as the efforts of the Stuarts (Charles I & James II) to centralize authority in the 1600s led to all out war b/n
Crown & Parliament
* Charles I took England to unsuccessful wars w/Spain and France
which increased his desperation for $ and
Charles tried to levy taxes w/o consent of the Parliament
Charles ICharles I (1625-1649)(1625-1649)
English Civil WarEnglish Civil War
(1642-48)(1642-48)
"who should rule the "who should rule the country?"country?"
Parliamentarians Parliamentarians vs.vs. RoyalistsRoyalists
ParliamentariansParliamentariansPuritans – RoundheadsPuritans – RoundheadsHouse of CommonsHouse of CommonsMerchant classMerchant classOliver CromwellOliver CromwellNew Model ArmyNew Model Army RoyalistsRoyalists
Aristocratic,Aristocratic, supported Kingsupported King called called CavaliersCavaliers House of Lords & the CourtHouse of Lords & the Court Roman Catholics or HighRoman Catholics or High
Church ofChurch of
EnglandEngland
Charles I beheaded by Parliament
TheThe Glorious RevolutionGlorious Revolution
16891689James II ousted James II ousted Parliament invites William & Mary to the throneParliament invites William & Mary to the throneBill of Rights – relationship between Parliament Bill of Rights – relationship between Parliament
and Crown – shared rule and Crown – shared rule 1714, Anne w/out heir, Parliament invites 1714, Anne w/out heir, Parliament invites
George of HanoverGeorge of Hanover
The English Bill of RightsThe English Bill of Rights
To prevent abuse of To prevent abuse of power by William & power by William & Mary Mary and all future and all future monarchs, Parliament, monarchs, Parliament, in 1689, drew up a list in 1689, drew up a list of provisions to which of provisions to which Wm & Mary had to Wm & Mary had to agreeagree. .
This document, the This document, the English Bill of Rights,English Bill of Rights,prohibited a standing army in peacetime,prohibited a standing army in peacetime,
except with the consent of Parliamentexcept with the consent of Parliamentrequired that all parliamentary elections be free.required that all parliamentary elections be free.Monarch's authority, Monarch's authority, only with consent of only with consent of ParliamentParliamentguarantees right to a fair trial, freedom from excessive bail guarantees right to a fair trial, freedom from excessive bail and protection from cruel and unusual punishment.and protection from cruel and unusual punishment.
Our nation has built on, Our nation has built on, changed, & added to changed, & added to those ideas and those ideas and institutions that settlers institutions that settlers brought here from brought here from England.England.
Political Reform 19Political Reform 19thth Century CenturyIndustrialization
Population shiftsInequitiesexploitation
Dickens’ Novels
riots in 1819 led the Reform Act of 1832
Chartist Movement in the 1830s and 1840s
Representation of the People Act 1832, commonly
known as the Reform Act 1832
,
The Great Reform Act of 1832Began 1760 as reaction to supposed autocratic policies of
the new young King George III
began The early liberal or radical tradition in Britain
culminated with the Great Reform Act of 1832.
Masterminded by liberal Whig Earl Grey
abolished the so called “Rotten Boroughs” in England
led to complete overhaul of the entirely venal electoral system in Scotland
Extension of the franchise across Britain.
early beginnings of modern mass democracy in the UK
Industrial Era Industrial Era
start of the modern party-political system
Liberally-minded Whigs gradually organised themselves into the Liberal Party
those holding more conservative views – nicknamed “Tories” by their liberal opponents (Tory was a term of abuse by the late 18th century)
– organised themselves into the Conservative Party and gradually adopted term “Tory” for themselves
In The Tree of Corruption from 1831, caricaturist H. H. Heath depicts hacking away the old Rotten Borough System,
to the strenuous protests
from those whose livelihood depend on it.
© the Library of Congress.
The Great Reform Act of 1832
Removed Rotten Burroughs / Pocket BurroughsRemoved Rotten Burroughs / Pocket Burroughs disenfranchised 56 boroughs in England & Wales and disenfranchised 56 boroughs in England & Wales and
reduced another 31 to only one MPreduced another 31 to only one MP created 67 new constituenciescreated 67 new constituencies broadened the franchise's property qualification in the broadened the franchise's property qualification in the
counties, to include small landowners, tenant farmers, counties, to include small landowners, tenant farmers, and shopkeepersand shopkeepers
The Great Reform Act of 1832
created a uniform franchise in the boroughs, giving the vote created a uniform franchise in the boroughs, giving the vote to all householders who paid a yearly rental of £10 or more to all householders who paid a yearly rental of £10 or more and some lodgersand some lodgers
Expanded franchise among middle classExpanded franchise among middle class
7% of adult Brits could vote7% of adult Brits could vote
House of Commons to represent masses House of Commons to represent masses
22ndnd Reform Act 1867 Reform Act 18672X electorate to 16%2X electorate to 16%
33rdrd Reform Act Reform Act 1884 1884nearlynearly universal male suffrage universal male suffrage
22ndnd Reform Act 1867 Reform Act 1867
2X electorate to 16% of pop.2X electorate to 16% of pop.
33rdrd Reform Act Reform Act 1884 1884
nearlynearly universal male suffrage universal male suffrage
When the Houses of Parliament burnt down in 1834, Queen Adelaide openly spoke of it
being God's just punishment for passing the Great Reform Act
Political Reform 20Political Reform 20thth Century Century
1900 – Labour Party speaks for the 1900 – Labour Party speaks for the working class & socialist reformsworking class & socialist reforms
Parliamentary Acts in 1911 stripped all the Parliamentary Acts in 1911 stripped all the remaining significant powers away from remaining significant powers away from the aristocratic House of Lordsthe aristocratic House of Lords
reform of the system made Britain a more reform of the system made Britain a more substantive and expansive democracy substantive and expansive democracy was completewas complete
Women’s suffrageWomen’s suffrageEmmiline Pankhurst,
suffragette leader, used arson and
window smashing to further their cause
- “breaking glassis the most
eloquent argument in politics.”
Emmeline Pankhurst
being arrested in
1914
•1918 the Representation of the People Act
gave women over 30 yrs old the vote if they were householders, or wives of householders occupiers of property w/ an annual rent of £5 or if they were graduates of British
universities. enfranchised only about 8.5 million women Ten years later, in 1928, women won the
right to vote on the same terms as men.
WWII & Churchill
WWII & Post-War BritainWWII & Post-War Britain
1939-45 World War II1939-45 World War II1945 – 1945 – LabourLabour takes power takes power
the the beginning of the British beginning of the British Welfare StateWelfare State
PM PM Margaret Thatcher Margaret Thatcher - - ConservativeConservative Prime Minister Prime Minister of of
the UKthe UK from 1979 to 1990from 1979 to 1990
PM PM Tony BlairTony Blair – – NewNew Labour Labour Prime Minister 1990 - 2007Prime Minister 1990 - 2007
Current PM Current PM
Gordon Gordon BrownBrown 2007- 2007-