Unit 7: United Kingdom Case Study

United Kingdom

Came into official use in 1801 with the Acts of Union

• the Acts of Union united the Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland

• Citizens are often referred to as British or Britons (even if other residents of the four regions are fiercely loyal to their national identity (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales)

• being an island country (isolated) provided protection from conflicts and turmoil that afflicted to the rest of Europe (helped to diminish fear of invasion)

• small fear of invasion explains the small size and minimal political importance of the UK’s standing army

• shaped by its sea power, both militarily and economically

• most of the population is in England (specifically London)

• considered multiethnic but is relatively homogenous racially

• most immigrants come from India and ¼ from the Caribbean

• country experienced repeated invasions over a period of 1500 years (Celts, Romans, Angles, Saxons, Danes, and Normans invaded the British Idles)

Great Britain

Island containing England, Scotland, and Wales

The Crown/Monarchy

British citizens owe their allegiance to this the enduring symbol of the United Kingdom’s state, rather than to a singular constitution

• it represents the ceremonial and symbolic trappings of the British state

• it also represents the rules governing British political life (the regime) and the unhindered capacity (the sovereignty) to enforce and administer these rules and to secure the country’s borders

• the development of the modern British state has been gradual, piecemeal, and peaceful despite some violence occurring

Anglo-Saxon Legacy

left their language in England (NOT Scotland and Wales, as they weren’t able to be conquered)

Celtic Fringe (look over)

the areas (regions of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland outside of Anglo-Saxon control on Britain’s northern and western perimeter as the United Kingdom

• parts of the UK with different cultures and histories from England

Common Law

a system based on local customs and precedent rather than formal legal codes

• allows law to be more evolutionary

• can enhance rule of law

• forms the basis of the contemporary legal systems of the UK, the US, and other former British colonies

Precedent

A previous written decision that establishes a rule to be applied in similar cases in the future

• based on previous written decisions (when a previous decision can be used in a future case because they are similar)

Norman Legacy

Magna Carta

Magna Carta is one of several documents that make up the UK’s Constitution

• document that nobles forced King John to sign

• became a royal promise to uphold feudal customs and the rights of English barons.

• Helps to limit the power of English monarchs and subjecting them to rule of law

• helped them pave the way for eventual public control over government and the state

something abt 3rd crusade (bonus)?

• social class always based off of blood not money (traditionally)

Church of England (go over)

a state-controlled Anglican Church

Petition of Right

Parliament forced Charles 1 to sign this which would further limit the king’s authority

• Parliament would have control over taxation, forbade the king to quarter soldiers in private homes, required due process in legal proceed (mainly that the king was not above the law)

• 2nd document that helped to form the constitution

English Civil War (go over)

Glorious Revolution

English Bill of RIghts

Parliament’s political supremacy and marking a devolution of authority from the monarch

• effectively created England as a constitutional monarchy

RObert Walpole

Cabinet System

Limited Monarchy