英語國家概況考試復(fù)習(xí)要點

1、英語國家概況復(fù)習(xí)要點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.

2、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

3、(本尼維斯山) the largest mountain range in Britain：the Grampians（格蘭扁山脈）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（內(nèi)伊湖） ( Northern Ireland)6. Backbone of England：the Pennies（奔寧山脈）The p

4、eople7.The first known settlers of Britain were the Iberians. 人們所知的英國最早居民是伊比利來人。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（舊石器時代）,followed by Neolithic（新石器時代） Iberians （伊比利亞人) and the Beaker Folk(比克人）in the Bronze Age

5、（青銅器時代）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 Se

6、condCaesars 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

7、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

8、 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

9、 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

10、(1066-1485)12. Who signed Great Charter? King John （簽署大憲章）13. Great Charter (time, contents, nature) Time: Magna Carta 1215 Contents:（內(nèi)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. shou

11、ld 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 economi

12、c 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 stage

13、s 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

14、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

15、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 wou

16、ld 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 Lancas

17、trians 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

18、 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

19、House of Lancaster. .Result:The Yorkist got complete victory, House of York 約克王朝(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 W

20、ars 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 pav

21、ed 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

22、 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.

23、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. .Na

24、tureThe 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 C

25、atherine, 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, “U

26、topia”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)（內(nèi)戰(zhàn)）.Background of the

27、war（戰(zhàn)爭的背景）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 lo

28、rd .Consequence1649, Charles army was defeated, he was beheaded; in May 1649, England was declared a Commonwealth（共和政府時期）.In 1653, Cromwell was made Lord Protector（護國公） for life and started his military dictatorship openly. The Commonwealth became the Protectorate（攝政時期） and Parliament was dissolved.

29、 He became a“king”in all but name.19. The Glorious Revolution of 1688（1688年的光榮革命）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 inv

30、ited 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（輝格黨和保守黨）The RoundheadsThe WhigsThe Libe

31、ral PartyThe CavaliersThe ToriesThe Conservative Party21. The Industrial Revolution (1780-1830)（工業(yè)革命）.Definition （定義） 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 whol

32、e series of changes is often described as the “Industrial Revolution”. Inventions（發(fā)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

33、 Jenny was inventedG. In 1814, the first successful steam locomotive. Consequences of the Industrial Revolution（工業(yè)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 In

34、dustrial 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.

35、 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: （工業(yè)革命） Spin

36、ning Jenny 珍妮紡紗機 Spinning mule 走錠細紗機 Power loom 動力紡紗機 Steam engine 蒸汽機 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 Br

37、itainJIts 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.Governmen

38、t and Politics23. constitutional monarchy, the head of state is a king or a queen. 君主立憲制國家,國家的首腦是國王或女王。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（議會組成） The Crown The House of Lords The House of Com

39、mons26. The main functions of Parliament（議會的主要作用）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（內(nèi)閣） Cabinet：The major decision-making body i

40、n the government28. two parties in the UK（政黨）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 go

41、verning 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. 陪審團有12個成員。31. Scotland Yard(倫敦警察廳）: h

42、eadquarter of the Metropolitan PoliceEducation32. the compulsory education（義務(wù)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 私立學(xué)校 public schools公學(xué)34. the oldest university：OxfordOthers35

43、. 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:獨立式住宅Part Two USAThe country1. 50 states (the largest, the smallest, the purchased ones)（50個州

44、） Alaskathe largest （阿拉斯加州） Rhode Islandthe smallest （羅德島州） Texasthe largest on the mainland（德克薩斯州） Alaskathe purchased ones（購買）2. 13 colonies（13個殖民地） Between 1607 and 1733 the British established 13 colonies along the east coast of North AmericaDelaware 特拉華 Pennsylvania 賓夕法尼亞 New Jersey 新澤西 Georgia

45、 喬治亞 Connecticut康涅狄格 Massachusetts 麻薩諸塞 Maryland 馬里蘭 South Carolina 南卡羅來納 New Hampshire 新罕布什爾 Virginia 弗吉尼亞 New York 紐約 North Carolina 北卡羅來納 Rhode Island 羅德島3. 5 great lakes, the longest river?Lake Michigan; Lake Superior; Lake Huron; Lake Erie; Lake Ontariothe longest river：the Mississippi River（密西

46、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, surrend

47、er 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.

48、practiced unfair price policies put into effect many taxes: The Stamp Act: (印花稅法令）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 res

49、ulted in the repeal of the act in 1766the Townshend Acts(唐森德條令)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（波士頓大屠殺） (1770) Som

50、e British solders fired at the people, killed four and wounded many. The event made the people indignant. The Boston Tea Party(波士頓傾茶事件） 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 harb

51、or 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 (第一次大陸會議） held in Philadelphia in September, 1774 before the war. encouraged Americans to refuse to buy Britis

52、h 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 (第二次大陸會議） held in Philadelphia in May, 1775 three weeks after the

53、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 （獨立宣言） drafted by Thomas Jefferson adopted by the Congress on July4, 1776 declared the independence of t

54、he 13 colonies6. Civil war（內(nèi)戰(zhàn)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

55、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 no

56、rth: building an enterprising way of lifeIn west: cowboy7. Great depression (1930s)（經(jīng)濟危機）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” （羅斯福新政）The aim was to save American democracy and the capitalist system The programs and policies to promote