ESSAY QUESTION UK

The historical relations between England/Britain/UK and Ireland

Very complex relationship, based on colonialism, oppression and religion.

Late 12th century: The Anglo-Norman invasion marked the beginning of over 800 years of British presence in Ireland.

16th century: the colonisation was continued by the Tudor dynasty who wanted more control over Ireland, they claimed land which they gave to protestant English and Scottish settlers to prevent Ireland becoming a catholic power.

Mid 17th century: Catholics were prosecuted and their land was taken away and given to supporters of parliament, in the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland led by Oliver Cromwell. The whole of Ireland was treated as a colonial resource for England.

1800: Act of union merged Ireland into Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

Mid 19th century: Great famine, failed potato harvest and the food that was left was exported to Britain and overseas territories. 1million dead, 1 million emigrated (mostly to the US). This fueled Irish resentment.

1870’s – 1914 Home rule movement (for independence), delayed by WW1. Easter rising in 1916 in Dublin resulted in the execution of the rebellion leaders. In the Anglo-Irish war Ireland gained independence and became the Irish free state in 1922. In 1949 it became the republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland remains part of the Uk. This partition created lasting tension in Ireland.

The historical relations between England/Britain/UK and the EU

The UK chose to join neither the European Coal and Steal community (ECSC) in 1951 or the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957 (a predecessor to the EU), fearing loss of sovereignty and preferring free trade agreements and their ties with the Commonwealth. In the 60’s they applied to join the EEC twice but were vetoed by the French president because they were too closely aligned with the US. Finally in 1973 the UK joins the EEC. The UK became a big contributor to the EU budget. The EEC was turned into the EU in ’92 (Maastricht treaty), they never agreed to use the euro because of public opposition. 

Reasons for leaving EU: uncontrolled immigration because of free movement, wanted reduced contributions to EU budget, wanted to negotiate own trade deals and laws. In 2016 a referendum, that was promised by David Cameron took place to vote on if the UK should remain in the EU. 51.92% voted to leave. Theresa May became PM and triggered article 50, starting the countdown to Brexit. In January 2020 The UK officially left the EU (entering a transition period).

The historcal relations between England/Britain/UK and France

1337-1453: Hundred Years’ War between England and France, conflict over English claims to French throne and land, French won.

Mid 18th century, global colonial conflict, Britain gained Canada and India. 2nd half 18th century, France supported American colonist against the Brits.

1793-1815: Napolean threatened British dominance in Europe and overseas, Britain played a key role in the defeat of Napoleon.

Mid 19th century: in the Crimean war France & UK allied against Russia. There were still tensions about colonies in Africa. In 1904 the Entente Cordiale was signed to resolve colonial disagreements, the start of an alliance against Germany.

In both world wars they were on the same side and worked closely together (eg. French resistance led from London). American, Canadian and British forces started liberating France on D-day. They are both in the NATO so they allied against the soviet in the cold war. They collaborated in invading Egypt during the Suez crisis. France vetoed the entry of the UK to the ECC because they were too close with the US. In 1994 the eurotunnel was built, connecting the countries and symbolising economic and political collaboration. Brexit put strain on the relationship again but they continue to be strategic partners.

The historcal relations between England/Britain/UK and Germany

Viking raids in the 8th-11th centuries involved Germanic tribes. In 13th-17th centuries they traded a lot with each other.

George I of Hanover became king of Britain in 1714, linking the crowns. The Hanoverian dynasty ruled until 1901 when the name was changed to Saxe-Coburg Gotha. Britain and Prussia allied in the seven years war (mid 18th c), and in the Napoleonic wars.

First half 20th century: In WWI they fought on opposite sides, Germany lost. Britain and France enforced the treaty of Versailles which humiliated Germany, which secretly rebuilt it’s military. In the 1930s Neville Chamberlain made the appeasement policy to avoid war and they also gave up Czechoslovakia, but when Germany invaded Poland, France and the UK declared war. Germany lost the war in 1945. After the war Germany was divided into four regions (UK, US, France, USSR). The border between west and east Germany symbolised the devision of Europe during the cold war. In the 90s Germany reunited and Britain supported the reunion. Both are in the NATO and Germany is the UKs 2nd largest trading partner.

The historical relations between England/Britain/UK and their Empire/Commonwealth

Onwards from the 16th century: Britain expanded its empire for economic (trade routes, recources,…), religious (to spread Protestantism) and strategic purposes. North America, the Caribbean and India were the first colonies of the UK.

In the 19th century: industrialisation allowed Britain to expand its empire and raw materials from colonies fueled the economy. Britain also acquired many countries in Africa (Berlin conference). Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa gained self-government but remained part of the empire (acknowledge British monarch). After WWII-60s almost all remaining colonies gained independence. The Falklands and Gibraltar are still British territory to this day.

1931: British Commonwealth of Nations created as symbolic association of former colonies. The Modern commonwealth had 56 memberstates and shares values of human rights, democracy and rule of law. The commonwealth is headed by the British monarch even though many members are republics.

Role today: economic and cultural ties, political cooperation.

The historcal relations between England/Britain/UK and the US

17th century: colonisation of America, first settlements in early 17th century. Growing tension between mainland and colony because of ‘taxation without representation’. In 1776 colonists declared independence leading to a war with Britain. In 1783 Britain recognised US independence ending the war. In 1812 there was another war.

19th century: In WWI the US remained neutral until 1917 when it joined allied forces and tipped the balance in favor of the allies. In WWII the US provided military aid to Britain before entering the war. They entered the war after Pearl Harbor was bombed, again on the allied side. They were both founding members of the NATO. In the Suez crisis the US forced the UK and France to withdraw from Egypt marking the end of Britain as a global superpower. In the cold war they fought on the same side and shared nuclear technology (strenghtening their bond).

The Us is the Uk’s largest trade partner, they share media and culture (because of same language) which also strengthens their bond. They have a ‘special relationship’ because of shared history and culture which made for a deep partnership.

The historical developments in terms of democracy emerging from

centuries of monarchy.

William the conqueror established a feudal system (power with monarch, church and nobles). The Magna Carta in 1215 limited royal power. In the late 13th century a parliament was summoned including nobles, clergy and commoners. In the 14-15th centuries the parliament gained power, partly because of the wars of the roses which weakened the monarchy.

In 1649 there was conflict between Charles I and the parliament. England became a republic (Commonwealth) under the rule of Oliver Cromwell, his authoritarian style was disliked. When his son inherited the title of Lord Protector the commonwealth was brought down and the monarchy was restored under Charles II.

The glorious revolution in 1688 was the overthrowing of James II by parliamentarians and protestant nobles. William III and Mary II ruled after him. The Bill of Rights passed in 1689 which established parliamentary sovereignty over the monarchy and made the Uk a constitutional government (-- no royal interference in elections, freedom of speech in the parliament, no taxation without parliamentary consent).

In the 1st half of the 18th century Robert Walpole became the first PM, together with his cabinet he ran the government. The monarch’s role became more ceremonial.

1832: voting rights expanded for middle class men, 1867: voting rights working-class men, parliament act 1911: limiting power of the house of lords to block bills, 1918: women over 30 and men over 21, 1928: all women over 21 voting rights.

The historical developments in terms of devolution and devolved power.

Acts of union in 1536 (Wales) and 1603 (Scotland) merged with England.

In the 19th century people in Ireland started to campaign for independence, in 1921 the Irish free state was made, Northern Ireland remained under the UK but had its own parliament.

After WWII Labour government centralised power but regional political movements began to grow (Scottish National Party & Plaid Cymru). In 1964 the Scotland and Wales act created the Scottish office and the Welsh office which had power over domestic policies but not legislative policies. In the 90’s Tony Blair’s labour government wanted devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to counter rising nationalist parties arguing for independence.

In ’98 the Scotland parliament based in Edinburgh was created after a referendum. It has legislative powers over education, health, justice, transport, and environment. The Uk Government holds power over defence, foreign policy and economics.

In ’98 the Welsh assembly was created based in Cardiff, the legislative powers were limited but expanded over time. The Northern Ireland Assembly based in Belfast was also created in ’98 having power over Health, education, justice, and policing. In the beginning of the 21st century the devolved governments gained even more power like control over tax. The Northern Ireland assembly was suspended multiple times due to political disagreements. England had no devolved parliament because they are already overly represented in the parliament in Westminster.

In the Brexit referendum Scotland and Wales voted majority remain which led to tensions on whether they would stay with the Uk or become independent.