Country study: 2018

пятница, 2 ноября 2018 г.

Test Yourself on the USA!

https://create.kahoot.it/search?filter=1&query=He%20USA&tags=He%20USA

100 tests on GB

https://create.kahoot.it/search?filter=1&tags=Great%20Britain&query=Great%20Britain

Test Yourself on Great Britain!

https://create.kahoot.it/details/great-britain/16f8fca0-b673-4b35-b420-372894cadfa1

вторник, 15 мая 2018 г.

BRITISH CONSTITUTION

1. This A Level Politics topic video explains the key features of the historical development of the UK Constitution.

2. An introduction to what the constitution is and where the UK constitution comes from (sources).

3. SOURCES OF THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION

4.The story of the Great Charter of 1215, featuring King John and the Barons.

TASK. WATCH THESE VIDEO CLIPS AND WRITE A SHORT SUMMARY ON WHAT IS BRITISH CONSTITUTION. USE YOUR NOTES AT THE SEMINARS.

THE JUDICIARY IN UK/ TYPES OF COURTS

1. Watch this video to know How offenders are sentenced in England and Wales.

2.Watch this video to know An introduction to the Crown Court, the different roles within it and how a trial at the court works.

3.Watch this video to know what is THE MAGISTRATES' COURT.

Introduction to the Magistrates' Court and the roles of the people within it. To find out more about studying Law and Criminology at Derby visit http://www.derby.ac.uk/law

4. Watch this video to know what is the SUPREME COURT.

What is the Supreme Court? Why was it established in 2009? And what issues does it hear about? This introductory film is primarily aimed at GSCE/Standard Grade students and explores the role and the workings of the Supreme Court, the only court with UK-wide jurisdiction and the highest court in the land.

This video is just one of a range of learning resources on our website designed to aid teaching in the classroom about the law, as well as to complement educational visits to the Court. If you are a teacher or student interested in such a visit, please see the education page on our website for further information.

Task. Write a short summary on the information you have watched and get prepared for your seminar questions.

пятница, 4 мая 2018 г.

Test Yourself

LINCOLN 2012

Lincoln (film based on real events)

MARTIN LUTHER KING'S SPEECH

I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King

NATIVE AMERICANS

Native Americans

пятница, 9 февраля 2018 г.

The coat of arms

Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom since 1837

The lions symbolize England, a lion rampant – Scotland, and a harp – Ireland. The whole is encircled and is supported by a lion and a unicorn. The lion has been used as a symbol of national strength, bravery, and royalty of the British monarchy for many centuries. The Unicorn, a mythical animal that looks like a horse with a long straight horn, has appeared on the Scottish and British royal coats of arms for many centuries, and is a symbol of purity, healing powers, joy and even life itself.

The coat of arms of England is the dark red field of the three golden leopards really looking as lions. Richard the Lion Heart created them in 1190. Another coat of arms with a lion was in the use before this coat of arms. With the beginning of the Hundred years war and the coronation of Edward III as a king of France French lily was added to the lions.

The History of the British Flag Union Jack

THE HISTORY AND MEANING
OF THE UNION JACK OR UNION FLAG

The British Flag: a Symbol of Unity

The Union Jack is a transnational flag full of historical significance. It represents the union of different countries and the growth of a family of nations whose influence extends far beyond the British Isles. This far-reaching influence is still seen today in the incorporation of the Union Jack in other national flags such as that of Australia. The British flag is called the "Union Jack", an expression that needs to be explained.

The Union Jack is a fine expression of unity as well as diversity. The British flag incorporates the national symbols of three distinct countries, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In fact its name "Union Jack" emphasises the very nature of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as a union of nations. The flag is also known by another name, this too, emphasising the idea of union: the "Union flag", perhaps a less common term but a little more precise. The countries comprising the British Isles are not inward-looking or isolated states with an insular mentality; together they constitute a powerful union that has spanned centuries. Recent devolution that gave Scotland its own Parliament and Wales its own Assembly has also emphasised the importance of individual national identities within the union without affecting the essential unity of Great Britain. On the contrary, it has strengthened it. Recognition of, and respect for national identities are an essential ingredients for effective union. The Union Jack symbolises all this: respect for individuality within a closely knit community.

The "Union Jack" or "Union Flag" is a composite design made up of three different national symbols:


St. George's Cross, the flag of England	St. Andrew's Cross, the flag of Scotland

St. Patrick's Cross,
the flag of Ireland

The cross represented in each flag is named after the patron saint of each country: St. George, patron saint of England, St. Andrew, patron saint of Scotland and St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland.

The image below renders the idea of the union of the three flags forming one unified, transnational Flag.

No mention has been made of the Welsh flag. The Welsh dragon was not incorporated into the Union Flag because Wales had already been united to England when the first version of the Union Flag was designed in 1606. It is, however, in common use:

The Welsh Dragon

THE HISTORY OF THE UNION JACK

The first step taken in the creation of the flag of Great Britain was on 12th April 1606. When King James VI of Scotland became king of England (King James I) it was decided that the union of the two realms under one king should be represented symbolically by a new flag. Originally It consisted in the red cross of England superimposed on the white cross of Scotland on the blue background of the Scottish flag as in this illustration:

Thus we have the first flag of the union called, in fact, the "Union Flag".

What was meant to be a symbol of unity actually became a symbol of international controversy. The English resented the fact that the white background of their cross had disappeared and that the new flag had the blue Scottish background. On the other hand the Scottish resented the fact that the English red cross was superimposed on the Scottish white cross!! The old adage says you cannot please everyone but this first version of the Union Flag seemed to please no-one!!

Apparently there was an unofficial "Scottish version" that attempted to rectify the sense of injustice that the Scottish felt at this innovatory flag. A distinct reference was made to this version when the King visited Dumfries in 1618. Here is what it looked like:

The controversy was destined to last!! There is conflict in the best of families!!

However, the flag was usually restricted to use at sea until the two kingdoms of Scotland and England were united in 1707. It was most probably from this use at sea that it got the name "Jack" ("Union Jack"). It was usually flown at the bow end of the ship, from the jack staff.

An attempt was made to modify the flag under Oliver Cromwell. A harp was placed in the centre, representing Ireland. However, the original design was restored along with the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

The flag continued to be used in its original form until Jan. 1, 1801. At that time, with the union of Ireland and Great Britain, it became necessary to represent Ireland in the Union Flag and so the cross of St. Patrick was include thus creating the flag as we now have it. When the southern part of Ireland gained its independence in 1921 and became the Irish Free State no alteration was made to the Union Jack.

The name "Union Jack" became official when it was approved in Parliament in 1908. It was stated that "the Union Jack should be regarded as the National flag".

http://www.know-britain.com/general/union_jack

It’s interesting!

The flag of Britain has a long and interesting history. Many historians believe that in the XIII century, during the bloody war with Wales, the cross was used as a national emblem, familiar to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It was under this sign that Crusader knights fought with Muslims, trying to achieve the transfer of the Holy city to the Christian Church. It is this cross, also known as the cross of St. George the victorious, and became the first symbol of the Foggy Albion. In the early XVI century, his image appears on the cloth of the national flag.

The history of the British flag has close links with religion. The most revered Saint was considered and is still considered a semi-legendary Saint Patrick, who, according to legend, brought to Ireland writing, and at the same time expelled from the island of all snakes. The great missionary worked hard for the good of the Holy Church. The Union Jack combines the three crosses, one of which is the red Saltire of St. Patrick. By the way, according to one version of this sign is the symbolism of the Order of St. Patrick, founded in the late XVIII century. Proponents of the second version I believe that it was borrowed from the coat of arms of the Fitzgeralds; in addition, it is believed that the cross of St. Patrick is not that other, as a symbol of the Order of the Garter, which was tilted at an angle of 45 degrees.

It is generally known that it comes from the flag (Union Jack), used to be firstly at the warships of the Royal Navy as the jack staff of ships.

Nevertheless, there is one more romantic version, according to which "jack" is a hypocoristic of "Jacques" (that was the name of the first king of the United Kingdom Jacques or Jack, who coped to unite England and Scotland).

The British are also known worldwide not only for its conservatism toward the new, but the fact that they religiously observe the traditions of their ancestors.

Special attention is paid to everything that is somehow connected with the state symbols. So, today in a Foggy Albion celebrate the holidays devoted to day of a flag.

The panels are hung from the Windows on important days:

- in honor of the birthday of a member of the Royal family;

- on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the Parliament;

- on the anniversary of the wedding of the king;

- on the occasion of Commonwealth Day.

вторник, 30 января 2018 г.

Simon de Montfort and Emergence of Parliament

Simon de Montfort was born in France in about 1208. His father was a large landowner, but when he died he left his land to Simon's older brother Amaury. The de Montfort family had owned land in England in the past and Amaury suggested that Montfort should visit Henry III in to see if the land could be reclaimed.

Montfort arrived in England in 1230. Henry liked Simon, was sympathetic to his claim and gave him back his family lands. The king also agreed that Montfort should become the new earl of Leicester. In return, Montfort promised to pay a fee of £100 and to supply sixty knights in time of war.

The new earl of Leicester also agreed to become the king's steward, which involved him in organizing ceremonial functions. This pleased Montfort as it enabled him to meet most of the rich and influential people in England. As he was short of money Montfort hoped that this would help him to meet a rich widow.

Montfort was an attractive man with a title, and several women showed an interest in him. The woman he chose was the king's sister, Eleanor. Married at nine and a widow at sixteen, Eleanor was now one of the richest women in England. The king was initially against the marriage but eventually Eleanor managed to persuade him to change his mind.

As his brother-in-law, Simon de Montfort became one of King Henry's main advisers. Henry also valued Montfort's abilities as a military commander, and in 1248 sent him to take control of Gascony, one of the last areas in France that was still part of the English empire.

After working closely with Henry III , Montfort soon became aware that the king was a poor leader. Montfort developed the opinion that the situation would only improve if the barons played a more active role in running the country. Other leading barons shared Montfort's views and in 1258 they decided to take action.

In May the barons went to see the king. They demanded that in future the king should not make decisions without consulting his barons. Fearing a civil war that he would lose, Henry accepted their demands for reform (the Provisions of Oxford).

Fifteen barons, including Simon de Montfort, were selected to become members of this advisory council. However, it was not long before Henry was ignoring his advisers. When the barons complained, Henry bribed them with gifts.

Simon de Montfort refused to change his mind over the need for a permanent council. Montfort had a reputation for being sympathetic to the needs of ordinary people. This helped him gain the support of the majority of people who lived in the large towns and cities. For example, in London the people rebelled against Henry and handed over the city to Montfort.

After rallying his supporters, the king decided to take on Montfort's army. The two sides met at Lewes in Sussex on 14th May 1264. The bishops of Chichester, London and Worcester, who were all supporters of Simon de Montfort, attempted to negotiate a truce before the battle started. However Henry, who had a much larger army and was confident of victory, refused to do a deal.

Montfort had recently broken his leg falling from a horse and had to direct operations while sitting in a cart. However, it did not stop him winning a famous victory. At the end of the battle the king had been captured and those members of his army that had survived had fled from the battlefield.

Montfort and his second in command, Gilbert the Red, now organized a new parliament. As well as barons and leaders of the church, two representatives from each town were invited to attend parliament. The day-to-day running of the country was carried out by three men: Simon de Montfort, Gilbert the Red and the Bishop of Chichester. However, within a few months the barons started to complain that Montfort was acting like a king.

Gilbert the Red argued with Simon and left London. In June 1265 Gilbert met the king's son, Prince Edward, in Ludlow. The two men raised an army and began their campaign by capturing Gloucester. When Montfort heard about the size of his enemy's army, he is reported to have said: "Let us commend our souls to God, because our bodies are theirs."

A dawn attack at Kenilworth on 2nd August 1265 took forces led by Montfort's son by surprise. The following day Montfort's main army was attacked at Evesham. Prince Edward's army had an easy victory and Montfort's outnumbered army was slaughtered. After Simon de Montfort had been killed, his body was mutilated. His head was cut off and displayed round the country as a warning of what happened to people who rebelled against their king.

Matthew Paris has argued: "Earl Simon, who gave up not only his property, but also his person, to defend the poor from oppression, and for the maintenance of justice. Report goes, that Simon, after his death, was distinguished by the working of many miracles, which, however, were not made publicly known, for fear of kings." However, Thomas Wykes claimed he had another objective: "Simon de Montfort... desired to put down the mighty and ruin their power... so that he might more freely and easily subdue the people, after having destroyed the strength of the magnates."