British-American Cultures: From Shakespeare to Hollywood

The United Kingdom

  • Overview
    • The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of four nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
    • England: Capital is London.
    • Scotland: Capital is Edinburgh.
    • Wales: Capital is Cardiff.
    • Northern Ireland: Capital is Belfast.
  • Topography
    • Highland:
      • Located in the North and West (Wales, Scotland, parts of England).
      • Characterized by high hills and mountains.
      • Cooler climate with more rainfall and less sunshine.
    • Lowland:
      • Located in the South and East (most of England).
      • Mostly rolling plains with fertile soil for farming.
      • Milder climate with less rain and more sunshine.
  • Climate
    • Changeable and varies based on location due to factors like latitude and altitude.
    • The Gulf Stream delivers warm water (North Atlantic Drift), contributing to a mild climate.

Key Terms: England, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom

  • Great Britain: A geographical term referring to the island containing England, Scotland, and Wales.
  • United Kingdom: A sovereign state that includes Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
  • The British Isles: A geographical term for a group of islands off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe, including:
    • Great Britain.
    • Ireland: Including Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
    • Isle of Man.
    • Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, and smaller islands).
    • Smaller islands surrounding Great Britain and Ireland.

The Union Jack

  • The national flag of the United Kingdom.
  • Emblems represent three countries under one Sovereign:
    • England: Cross of St. George.
    • Scotland: Cross of St. Andrew.
    • Northern Ireland: Cross of St. Patrick.
  • Wales is not represented because it was united with England by the Act of Union in 1536 under Henry VIII.

Four Nations of the UK

England

  • Most populated nation, principal division of the UK.
  • Moderate climate with frequent fogs, mists, and overcast skies.
  • National Day: St. George's Day (April 23rd).
  • Fun Fact: The Tudor rose is a symbol since the 15th century, inspiring "Game of Thrones."
  • Includes England, the Isle of Scilly, the Isle of Wight, and the Isle of Man.
  • Deeply indented coast creates natural harbors.
  • Divided into three parts geographically:
    • The North
    • The Midlands
    • The South
The North
  • Historically significant in the Industrial Revolution (18th century) with cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and Newcastle.
  • Cooler climate with a working-class, community-driven reputation.
The Midlands
  • Key region during the Industrial Revolution with strong manufacturing and textile industries.
  • Birmingham is the second-largest city in the UK and a major economic center.
The South
  • Warmer climate compared to the rest of the UK.
  • Economically prosperous with London as the financial hub.

Scotland

  • Independent kingdom until King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England in 1603.
  • Part of Great Britain since the Act of Union in 1707.
  • Retains a separate identity, legal, educational systems, parliament, and institutions.
  • National Day: St. Andrew’s Day (November 30th).
  • Includes Scotland, the Hebrides, the Shetland Islands, and the Orkney Islands.
  • Geographical characteristics:
    • Vast expanses of countryside.
    • Lots of lochs.
    • Ancient castles.
Geographical Divisions
  • The Southern Uplands
  • The Highlands:
    • Takes 1/2 of the land in Scotland
    • Most rugged of GB island and least densely inhabited of Scotland
    • Scots Gaelic is widely spoken.
  • The Central Lowlands:
    • Takes 1/10 of Scotland’s surface
    • The home to Scotland's leading industries, cities, as well as the majority of population
    • Less elevated and rugged than Highlands
    • Consists largely of a moorland plateau with rolling valleys, and mountainous outcroppings
  • The kilt and bagpipes
    • Worn by Scottish clansmen (each clan has a distinctive tartan pattern), and Scottish regiments.
    • The kilt can be worn by both men and women, but men have an additional sporran attached.
    • Usually worn during highland games, sport events, festivals, special occasions.
    • Bagpipes are a traditional wind musical instrument using enclosed reeds fed from an air reservoir.
    • In the UK, the Great Highland bagpipe is commonly used in the military, and played in formal ceremonies

Wales

  • Mainly an upland country, being almost entirely mountainous, with the Cambrian mountain range.
  • Major cities: Cardiff (capital and principal seaport), Swansea, and Newport.
  • National Day: St. David's Day (March 1st).
Language and Culture
  • Both English and Welsh are official languages, but English is spoken by most.
  • More than 1/4 of the population speaks both languages.

Northern Ireland

  • Northeastern portion of the island of Ireland.
  • Also known as “the Six Counties” (six administrative areas).
  • Features: Giant’s Causeway (40,000 basalt columns).
  • National Day: St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th).
  • Almost all residents speak English; a small percentage speaks Irish (Gaeilge) in Gaeltacht regions.

The United States of America

Regions of the US

  • 50 states in the US.
  • Four main regions:
    • Northeast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • West
Northeast
  • New England: Characterized by rolling hills, forests, and rugged coastlines (Maine, New Hampshire).
  • Mid-Atlantic: Urbanized and industrialized, with the Appalachian Mountains and coastal plains, including cities on waterways (New York, Baltimore).
  • New England values education and intellectualism, hub for higher education (Harvard, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, Wellesley).
  • Mid-Atlantic is more urbanized and diverse, with a fast-paced, career-driven lifestyle focused on business, finance, and education.
Midwest
  • Characterized by flat plains, fertile farmland (Corn Belt), the Great Lakes, and rolling hills.
  • Major waterways: Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.
  • Known as the “Heartland,” the agricultural center of the U.S. (corn, soybeans, wheat).
  • Significant farming in rural areas.
  • Chicago, Illinois, is the region’s hub; a major railroad and airport hub.
South
  • Geographically diverse: mountains (Appalachians), coastal plains (Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean), swamps (Everglades), and agricultural lands.
  • Mississippi River is central to its geography.
  • Strong influence from African-American culture, especially in music (blues, jazz, country).
  • Known for hospitality, religious values (Christianity), and regional cuisine (barbecue, soul food, Cajun/Creole food).
West
  • Most geographically diverse: towering mountain ranges (Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada), deserts (Mojave, Sonoran), forests, and coastlines (Pacific).
  • Includes large arid areas (Great Basin) and rainforests (Pacific Northwest).
  • Home to Silicon Valley (tech hub), entertainment (Hollywood), and aerospace industries.
  • Culturally diverse, with Hispanic, Asian, and Native American communities, reflected in cuisine, languages, and festivals.

Immigration

  • Native Americans:
    • First American immigrants, arriving more than 20,000 years ago.
    • In 1492, approximately 1.5 million Native Americans lived in the continental United States.
  • The Colonial Era:
    • Columbus's expeditions opened the door for European powers (Spain, France, England) to colonize North America.
  • A Nation of Immigrants:
    • After the Colonial War, the United States saw waves of immigration, both willing and unwilling (African slaves).
    • Years of developments, civil rights movements, and evolutions led to the present-day United States as a nation of immigrants.
  • Melting Pot vs. Salad Bowl
    • Melting Pot: Immigrants assimilate, blending into a single, homogenous society.
    • Salad Bowl: Different cultures coexist, retaining distinct identities.