英美概况期末考试名词解释整理
《英美概况》名词解释
《英美概况》名词解释《英美概况》名词解释1.backbone of England : It refers to the Pennines in England. The Pennines extend from north to south, from upland to Derbyshire.2.the act of 1801: In the year of 1801, the parliament passed the act to agree that Ireland joined the kingdom. From then on, Britain got the name: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and Britain includes England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.3.the Bank of England: It is the center of the British financial system. It was founded in 1694 and nationalized in 1946.4.Invisible Trade: It refers to a kind of unseen and unobvious trade. It includes the profits, dividend and capital investment.5.Black country: It refers to the industrial area in the west midland and Birmingham is the center. The area is very rich but is heavily polluted.6.Hadrian’s Wall: In 122AD, the Romans built a wall in order to defend Picts and Scots. The wall is very long, from Solway to Tyne; we call it Hadri an’s Wall.7.Julius Caesar：The king of Rome. In 55-54BC, he led his army invaded Britain twice.8. King Alfred: He is the king of Wessex in Britain. In the 8th century, he led the British people defeated the Danes and Vikings, and he was considered the first national hero. He wrote Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. (盎格鲁-撒克逊编年史)9. William the Conqueror: One the Christmas Day of 1066, French man William defeated the British King Harold at Hastings. In Westminster Abbey, he was crowned the King of Britain, so the Norman Conquest began. He established a strong monarchy inEngland, and unified the country. In 1086, he and his officials made a book about the survey of Britain, which is called Doomsday Book.10. Battle of Hastings: One the Christmas Day of 1066, at Hastings, French man William defeated the British King Harold, and Harold was killed. The battle was called Battle of Hastings. The battle of Hastings paved a way for the Norman Conquest.11. Henry : In the year of 1154, Henry built the Plantagenet and when he was a king, he made the monarchy stronger than before. He made a set of reformation and in the year of 1181, he issued the Assize of Arms. He died in 1189.24. O’liver Cromwell: He is a famous man in the British history. During the civil war, he and his “New M odel Army”defeated the King’s army. In 1649, he killed Charles . In 1653, he became Lord Protector and later compressed the Diggers.25. new model army: It is the new kind of army led by Oliver Cromwell in the civil war. The army includes farmers, craftsman, undermasters (学徒) etc.26.the Treaty of Paris in 1763: The treaty is between England and France. It includes four points. According to the treaty, France gave up many colonies, for example, it gave up the controlling on India, and Britain became the chief/leading colonial power.27. the House of Hanover: George began the House of Hanover in the year of 1714, and the Cabinet System was established and monarch was controlled by the Parliament.28.28. the Treaty of Paris in 1783 : The treaty is between Britain and America. In the treaty the Britain admitted the independence of America.29. the Corn Laws: It refers to a set of laws to regulate thecorn trade, for example: to increase the price of corn imported in 1815. The Corn Laws were cancelled in 1848.30. the Peterloo Massacre: In August 1819, a organization was founded in Manchester to demand universal suffrage, and yearly Parliament and the cancellation of Corn Laws. The government suppressed it and 11 died with so many people wounded. This is called the Peterloo Massacre.31. the Reform Bill: The Bill was brought up by Whig in 1832. It made 3 changes in election system. (1) many “rotten boroughs” are cancelled （2）many new seats (席位) were given to the most populous (人口稠密的) countries. (3) the total elec torates increased to 217000. But working class still didn’t have to right to vote. 32. the Chartist Movement: 1839-1848, the working class in Britain had a movement to realize the “people’s charter” , in fact , they wanted to have the universal suffrage. The chartist had two groups : moral force and physical force. At last, the Chartist Movement failed, but the working class entered the history stage for the first as an independent political force.33. the Opium War: In 1840, the Chinese government issueda law to stop the importing opium from Britain, to the Britain launched a war. The Qing Government surrendered (投降) to the Britain and signed the unequal Treaty :Nanjing Treaty in 1842.34. the Fabian Society ：It was founded in 1883-1884. It included the famous men such as G.B.Shaw andH.G.Wells, who played an important role in 20th century labour party.35.the Statute of Westminster: It was passed in 1931 and it gave the legislative recognition to the relation between British Kingdom her dominions. The dominions are independent in allaspects except the name.36. NATO: It is the acronym for North Atlantic Treaty Organization, it is founded in 1949.37. Margaret Thatcher: She was the first woman Prime Minister in British history. She was in power from 1979-1990. She was called “iron lady”because she controlled Britain’s money policy tightly. She made Britain prosperous in the 1980s.38.Downing Street Declaration: It is a document between Britain and Ireland in 1993. According to the Downing Street Declaration, the future of Northern Ireland shold depend on the wished of majority.39.BBC: Its full name is British Broadcast Co-operation. It was established in 1922, it has 4 radio channels, and the programs are broadcasted in 39 languages. There is no advertisement in BBC programs, the money is from the people who watch the TV.40.GCE: Its full name is General Certificate Education. It refers to the exam of the secondary middle school, if the students can pass the exam, he can get the GCE.41.Reuters: Ruters is one of the 4 news agencies in the West, it was founded in 1851, it has 11000 employees and 1300 photographers and reporters in more than 80 countries.42. the Royal Society: It is a British organization to study science and one of the most famous scientific organizations in the world. It was founded in 1660 and Issac Newton was its president for 23 years.43. Whitehall: It is the most important street in London, some of the government offices are in Whitehall, such as: Home Office, Finance Office, etc.44. St. Paul’s Cathedral: the biggest and most well-known church in London , a typical(典型的) building of Renaissance(文艺复兴).45.Westminster Abbey: It is a national shrine. Many famous literary persons or scientific persons are buried here. In 1066, William the Conqueror crowned himself in the Westminster Abbey.46.John Bull: the nickname of England or a typical English man.47.Speaker: the presiding officer(leader) of the House of Commons in British.48.Hollidays:(1) Christmas Day: It is on 25th, Dec to celebrate the birth of Jesus. On Christmas Day, people will go home from far places, eat Turkey with families, and children will get the present from Christmas Father.(2) Boxing Day: It is on the first weekday after Christmas. It isa public holiday in England, Wale andNorthern Ireland. On Boxing Day, household employees or other service workers can receive some gifts.(3) Guy Fawkes Day: It is a day to celebrate a event in English history. A man Guy Fawkes wanted to blow up(炸平) the parliament in 5th , Nov and he was caught in the House of Commons.(4) Armistice Day: The day is also called Remembrance Day. It is a patriotic day on 11th, Nov, to remember the British or foreigners who died in World War Two.49. Protestantism: a main group of Christianity, separated from the Roman Catholic Church by the Reformation in 1534.50.Salvation Army: one of the main nonconformist denominations, founded in London in 1865,They preach the story of Jesus Christ, and do social work to help the poor and sick.They are almost military.51. Parliament : It refers to the legislature(立法机构) in Britain. The parliament has 3 parts: the Crown, the House of Lords and the House of Commons.52. House of Lords: It is the oldest part in Parliament which comes from the Great Council. The House of Lords doesn’t have real power. Normally speaking, the House of Lords can stop the law passing into the legislation, but after 1949, the House of Lords can not can stop the law passing into the legislation.53. the House of Commons: The House of Commons has 650 seats. The members of it are not pointed but are elected.. It has the real power. Strong part of the House Commons forms the government, the weak part of the House Commons forms the Opposition. The leader of the House of Commons is called Speaker/President of Chamber.54. Opposition: The weak part of the House Commons forms the Opposition. They criticize the government or government’s policy, and give their new policies.55.Scotland Yard: It is the headquarters(总部) of Criminal Investigation Department in London. It has a history of 150 years. It does criminal detection, police training etc.55.the Mississippi River :It is the longest and most important river in the USA, and one of the greatest river in the world. It has two branches: Missouri and Ohio. It is 6262 km long.56.the five Great Lakes: the five Great Lakes are in the place between America and Canada. They are: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.57.the Niagara Falls: It refers to the Falls between Erie and Ontario in North America, 1240m wide, and 49m deep. Every year, thousands of visitors come here to enjoy it.58.Yellow Stone National Park: It is located in the northwest of Wyoming. It is the oldest national park in the world. A great number of wildlife live there.59.Grand Canyon: Grand Canyon lies in Arizonan, it is the one of the wonders（奇迹）in the world. Its wall has many layers, which tells you the story of the earth formation.60.Old Faithful: It is the most famous geyser（火山）in Yellow Stone National Park. It erupts more than 100 feet in the air every 73min.61. Pearl Harbor: It is the base of the Pacific Fleet of the USA, near the city Honolulu in Hawaii.62. Microsoft: It is the most famous computer company founded in 1975 by Bill Gates. Now, it plays animportant role in the world.63. Christopher Columbus: He was an Italian; he believed that the earth is round. In 1492, he discoveredAmerica and in 1498 he discovered the main land of South America.64. The Stamp Act: When Britain controlled the America, it issued a law: the stamp paper must be used forlegal documents. It was passed in 1765 and stopped in 1766.65. the Boston Massacre: In 1770, a little boy in Boston threwa small stone to the British soldiers, and Britishsoldiers fired at the people, with 4 died and many wounded. After it, the American people united together to fight against the British army./doc/75fb562ca8114431b80dd82b.ht ml mittees of Correspondence: In 1772, the Boston town meeting appointed “Committees ofCorrespondence”to call people to unite together to fightagainst the British army.67. the Boston Tea Act: When Britain controlled America, according to the“Tea Act”, East Indian Companyexported tea to America to make money. In 1773, some Boston men got on the English ship and poured the tea into the sea. The Boston Tea Act showed the fighting spirit of Americans.68. the First Continental Congress: It was held in 1714 in Philadelphia. The leaders in the Congress agreed that they wouldn’t buy any goods from England until the objectional law was stopped.69. the Second Continental Congress: It was held in 1715 in Philadelphia. The leaders in the Congress agreedto sent army around Boston and made George Washington as the commander.70. the Articles of the Confederation: At the end of the Independent War, the people meet a question. How the United States should be governed? So a constitution（the Articles of the Confederation）was made. In 1781, it was accepted by all the states.71. the Sedition Act: It was made by John Adam, any one should n’t stir up the hatred to the government. It was opposed by Republican Party, and was stopped by Jefferson in 1800.72. Monroe Doctrine: It was made by President Monroe in 1823. “America is American’s America”.According to the doctrine, European countries shouldn’t open any colony in North America or South America, and shouldn’t interfere the everything in America. And America shouldn’t open any colony in Europe, and shouldn’t interfere the everything in Europe.73. Westward Movement: In the early time of 19th century, more Europeans immigrated to America to find abetter life, but in the northeast, they found themselves still poor. So the farmers without land and workers without work went to the west part. Now, the west part is developed and wild land is farmed.74. Douglas’ Bill: It is a bill made by Douglas, a person in senate. According to the bill, the slavery is possiblein some states, e.g.: Kentucky or Nebraska.75. Republican Party: The Party was founded in 1854; the members of this party were against the slavery.Lincoln is the famous leader from this party.76. Abraham Lincoln: In 1860, Lincoln was elected president. He played an important role in the Civil Warand made two important documents: Homestead Bill, and Emancipation Proclamation. In 1864, he was elected for the second time. He was killed in 1865.77. the Confederate Union: After Lincoln was elected as president in 1860, the seven southern states, set up a country “the Confederate Union”. They wanted to keep the slavery in it.78. Homestead Bill: It is one of the documents by Lincoln, according to the bill, the farmers and settlers gotenough land. So Lincoln got their support and the agriculture in the South developed.79. “Open Door Policy”: It is the policy which is made by Theodore Roosevelt in Chinese-American relation.By the policy, American invaded China by force and culture.80. the American Federation of Labor : the first national union in America .81. the League of Nations: According to Wilson’s Fourteen Points, the League of Nations is set up to keep theworld peace. But it is controlled by England and France.82. the Washington Conference : In 1921,China , America and other countries held a meeting in Washington,and this is called the Washington Conference. The Washington Conference strengthened the power of Far East and Pacific Area.83. the Great Depression: It happened 1929-1933. In 1929, the New York Stock Market failed, many factoriesclosed down, many workers lost jobs, many products found no markets. Many extra goods were destroyed.84. the New Deal: It was made by Franklin?D?Roosevelt in 1932. According to the deal, in the country, manypublic projects were made to increase the employment; at broad, American strengthened the old market andfound new market.85. Franklin·D·Roosevelt：He was a member of Democratic Party and was the 32nd president in America.During 1929-1933, he made a New Deal, and made many contributions in WW.86.the Battle of Midway Island: In the Battle of Midway Island, America defeated the Japanese United Fleet.This is the turning point of the Pacific War.87. NATO: The full name is North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It was set up in 1949. the main purpose was toform a political cooperation to fight against Russia.88. the Warsaw Pact: It was set up in 1955, the main purpose was to form a political cooperation to fightagainst NATO.89. the United Nations: In 1945, 48 countries had a meeting in San Francisco, they agreed to set up aorganization to keep the world peace. So the United Nations was founded.90.Trueman Doctrine: The Doctrine was made by President Truman in 1947. The purpose of the Doctrine was :expand the influence of America suppress the struggle of the different countries.91.the Eisenhower Doctrine(重点) : It was the foreign policy carried by the Eisenhower Government. The doctrine contains the point of instant and massive retaliation(迅速的大量的复仇), and avoid the frustrating war(阻碍发展的战争)，such as the Korean War.92. the Marshall Plan (此题去年考过): The plan was suggested by Secretary of State George Marshall in 1947.The plan offered a great deal of money and machines to European countries to help them to recover their economy.93. the Cold War: It refers to the severe struggle between the America and other opposed political systems. TheCold War is not friendly, but didn’t use weapon.94. the sit-in(静坐): It is the way which is used by the Black men to fight against the racial segregation in1960s ( 它是1960年代黑人反抗种族隔离而采用的方式)95. Martin Luther King: He was a famous leader in the Civil Right Movement in America in 1950s-1960s. Hewas a clergyman. He organized the Montgomery blacks and changed it into Montgomery Improvement Association. He led the famous Civil Right Movement in 1960s. Under his leading, in 1964 the Civil Right Act was passed, in 1965 the V oting Right Act was passed. In 1968, he was killed.96. the Civil Right Movement : In 1950s-1960s, the American black men made the Civil Right Movement tofight against segregation. Martin Luther King was a famous leader in the Civil Right Movement in America in 1950s-1960s. He was a clergyman. He organized the Montgomery blacks and changed it into Montgomery Improvement Association. He led the famous Civil Right Movement in 1960s. Under his leading, in 1964 the Civil Right Act was passed, in 1965 the V oting Right Act was passed. In 1968, he was killed.97．Desert Storm(沙漠风暴行动) : American military attacked Iraq because Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1991. The air attack lasted for 6 weeks, and Iraq was forced to leave Kuwait. The war costs 61billion dollars.98. NASA It refers to National Astronautics and Space Administration.99. double dating : Two young people go out together to have a dance, to see a football game, or to have apicnic before the marriage.100.drive-in : a kind of informal eating place which is surrounded by the parking lots, by a busy road.101. a cafeteria : a kind of informal eating place in which you can buy some quick and cheap meal. You can select the food as you are going along.102. diner: It refers to the little restaurant just like a railway car. The diver is very convenient and the price is very low. Drivers , students and other people like it very much..103.Quakers: The other name of this group is Society of Friends. It is a small group with 100000 members.They are not interested in Politics and they often go out to help others without any reward. People respect them very much.104.The People’s Temple: It is a small group which was founded by Jones, Jones used superstition to control people’s spirit, once people joined this group, he couldn’t come out. In 1978, 914people（including Jones and his wife）committed suicide.105.New morality: In the 1960’s-1970’s, the young people showed their new morality. They lived together before the marriage and had the sexual action.106. the city of Heroin : it refers to New York, many people take heroin in New York.107. Chief Justice : the head of the Supreme Court in the USA.108.white collar workers: it refers to the mental labor workers. They have a higher social position and social fame than blue collar workers , but their pay is lower than blue collar workers.109. the separation of powers: In USA, the government has 3 branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.Each branch has its own power and its power is limited by others.110. The Republican Party: It came into being in 1854. It is made up of northern capitalists who opposed the slavery.111.The Democratic Party: It came out of “Anti-Federalists”in 1787. It was founded in 1828, and the leader is Thomas Jefferson.112.St.V alentine’s Day: It is on 14th, Feb. On the day, the boys and girls in love will come out to have a date, send red roses or chocolate. The symbol of St.Valentine’s Day is a picture of a Heart and Cupid, Cupid hasa bow and arrow.113.Easter Day : It is on the first Sunday after the full moon, in March.. People , in this day , will celebrate the rebirth of Jesus.Children will dye the eggs and adults will kill lamb to eat.114 Halloween Day: It is on 31st, Oct. It is a night-time festival, which is held by children. On the Halloween Day children will wear a mask to frighten the parents and ask money from their parents. In 1950s, child sent the money to the poor countries’ children. The Halloween Day got Noble Peace Prize in 1965.115.Independence Day : It is the national day of the USA，on 4th, July.III. Explain the following terms.1. the Hardian’s Wall:It was one of the two great walls built by the Romans to keep the Picts out of the area they had conquered.2. Alfred the GreatAlfred was a strong king of the wisemen. It was created by the Anglo-Saxons to advise the king. It’s the basis of the Privy Council which still exists today.3. William the ConquerorWilliam was Duke of Normandy. He landed his army in Oct, 1066 and defeated king Harold. Then he was crown ed king of England on Christams Day the same year. He established a strong Norman government and the feudal system in England.4. the battle of HastingsIn 1066, King Edward died with no heir, the Witan chose Harold as king. William, Duke of Normandy, invaded England. On October 14, the two armies met near Hasting. After a day’s battle, Harold was killed and his army completely defeated. So this battle was very important on the way of the Roman conquest.5. Domesday BookUnder William, the feudal system was established. William sent officials to compile a property record known as DomesdayBook, which completed in 1086. It was the result of a general survey of England made in 1085. It stat ed the extent, value, the population, state of cultivation, and ownership of the land. It seemed to the English like t he Book of doom on Judgement Day.6. the Great CharterKing John’s reign caused much discontent among the barons. In 1215, he was forced to sign a document, known as Mangna Cara, or the Great Charter. It has 63 clauses. Though it has long been regarded as the foundation of English liberi ties, its spirit was the limitation of the king’s powers, keeping them within the bounds of the feudal law of the land.7. the Hundred Years’ WarIt referred to the intermittent war between France and England that last from 1337 to 1453. The causes were partl y territorial and partly economic. When Edward III claimed the French Crown but the French refused to recogniz e, the war broke out. At first the English were successful, but in the end, they were defeated and lost almost all th eir possessions in France. The expelling of the English was a blessing for both countries.8. Joan of ArcShe was a national heroine of France during the Hundred Years’ War. She successfully led the French to drive t he English out of France.9. the Black DeathIt was the deadly bubonic plague who spread through Europe in the 14th century. It swept through England witho ut warning and any cure, and sparing no victims. It killed between half and one-third of the population of England. Thus, much land was left untended and labour was short. It caused far-reaching economic consequences.10. the Wars of RosesThey referred to the battles between the House of Lancaster and the House of York between 1455 and 1485. The former was symbolized by the red rose, and the latter by the white one. After the wars, feudalism received its dea th blow and the king’s power became supreme. Thdor monarchs ruled England and Wales for over two hundred years.11. Bloody MaryHenry VIII’s daughter and a devout Catholic. When she became Queen, she persecuted and burnt many Protestants. So she w as given the nickname “Bloody Mary”. Mary is also remembered as the monarch who lost the French port of Calais.12. Elizabeth IOne of the greatest monarchs in British history. She reigned England, Wales and Ireland for 45 years and remaine d single. Her reign was a time of confident English nationalism and of great achievements in literature and other arts, in exploration and in battle.13. Oliver CromwellThe leader during the Civil War who led the New Model Army to defeat the king and condemned him to death. T hen he declared England a Commonwealth and made himself Lord of Protector. He ruled England till the restorat ion of charles II in 1660.14. the Bill of RightsIn 1689, William and Mary accepted the Bill of Rights to be crowned jointly. The bill excluded any Roman Cath olic from the succession, confirmed the principle of parliamentary supremacy and guaranteed free speech withinboth the two Houses. Thus the age of constitutionalmonarchy began.15. Whigs and ToriesIt referred to the two party names which originated with the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The Whigs were those who opposed absolute monarchy and supported the right to religious freedom for Noncomformists. The Tories w ere those who supported hereditary monarchy and were reluctant to remove kings. The Whigs formed a coalition with dissident Tories and became the Liberal Party. The T ories were the forerunners of the Conservative Party.16. James WattThe Scottish inventor who produced an efficient steam engine with rotary motion that could be applied to textile and other machinery.17. Winston ChurchillPrime Minister of Britain during the Second World War. He took over Chamberlain in 1940 and received massive popular support. He led his country to final victory in 1945. He was defeated in the general election of 1945, but returned to power in 1951.18. AgribusinessIt refers to the new farming in Britain, because it’s equipped and managed like an industrial business with a set of inputs into the farm of processes which occur on the farm, and outputs or products which leave the farm. The emphasis is upon intensive farming, designes to give the maximum output of crops and animals.19. the British ConstitutionThere is no written constitution in the United Kingdom. TheBritish Constitution is not set out in any single docu ment, but made up of statute law, common law and conventions. The Judiciary determines common law and inter pret statues.20. Queen Elizabeth IIThe present Sovereign, born in 1926, came to the throne in 1952 and was crowned in 1953. The Queen is the sy mbol of the whole nation, the center of many national ceremonies and the leader of society.21. the OppositionIn the General Election, the party which wins the second largest number of seats becomes the offcial Opposition, with its own leader and “shadow cabinet”. The aims of the Opposition are to contribute to the formulation of p olicy and legislation, to oppose government proposals, to seek amendments to government bills, and to put forwa rd its own policies in order to win the next general election.22. the Privy CouncilFormerly the chief source of executive power. It gave the Sovereign private (“privy”) advice on the governme nt of the country. Today its role is mainly formal, advising the Sovereign to approve certain government decrees and issuing royal proclamation. Its membership is about 400.23. common lawA written law gathered from numerous decisions of the courts and other sources.24. the juryA legal system established in England since king Henry II. The jury consists of ordinary, independent citizens su mmoned by the court: 12 persons in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 15 persons in Scotland. In crimina l trials by jury, the judge passessentence but the jury decide the issue of guilt or innocence.25. the NHSThe National Health Service was established in the UK in 1948 and based first on Acts of Parliament. This Servi ce provides for every resident a full range of medical services. It is based upon the principle that there should be f ull range of publicly provided services designed to help the individual stay healthy. It is now a largely free service.26. comprehensive schoolsState secondary schools which take pupils without reference to ability and provide a wide-ranging secondary edu cation for all or most of the children in a district. About 90 per cent of the state secondary school population in GB attend comprehensive school.27. public schoolsFee-paying secondary schools which are longestablished and have gained a reputation for their high academic sta ndards, as well as their exclusiveness and snobbery. The boys’ public schools include such well-known schools as Eton and Harrow, and gi rls’ famous schools include Roedean. Most of the members of the British Establish ment were educated at a public school.28. the Great LakesThe Great Lakes are the most important lakes in the United States. They are Lake Superior, which is the largest fr esh water lake in the world, Lake Michigan —— the only one entirely in the U.S. ——Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. They are all located between Canada and the United States except L ake Michigan.。
英美概况名词解释
名词解释：1.Great Britain: shortened as Britain ,it can be a geographical term ,referring to the island onwhich England ,Wales and Scotland are situated ,together with numerous smaller islands .2.The Union Flag :also known as the Union Jack ,it is the national flag of the United Kingdom .3.God Save the King /Queen : the national anthem of the United Kingdom.ke Poets: English poets at the turn of the 19th century who lived in the Lake District ofEngland and were inspired by it to create romantic works .5.Domesday Book(土地财产清册)：The written record of a census and survey of Englishlandowners and their property made by order of William the Conqueror in 1085-1086 .6.Black Death (黑死病)：also known as the Black Plague ,it was a devastating pandemic(流行的) that first struck European in the mid-14th century .7.Gunpowder Plot(火药阴谋)：conspiracy of a group of English Catholics to blow up the Houseof Parliament where King James I was present on 5 November ,1605.The plan was discovered and Guy Frank was caught and burnt alive .In England ,5 November is celebrated with bonfire ,fireworks and the burning of the effigies.(肖像)。
英美概况名词解释和大题
III. Explain the following terms.1. the Hardian’s Wall:It was one of the two great walls built by the Romans to keep the Picts out of the area they had conquered.2. Alfred the GreatAlfred was a strong king of the wisemen. It was created by the Anglo-Saxons to advise the king. It’s the basis of the Privy Council which still exists today.3. William the ConquerorWilliam was Duke of Normandy. He landed his army in Oct, 1066 and defeated king Harold. Then he was crowned king of England on Christams Day the same year. He established a strong Norman government and the feudal system in England.4. the battle of HastingsIn 1066, King Edward died with no heir, the Witan chose Harold as king. William, Duke of Normandy, invaded England. On October 14, the two armies met near Hasting. After a day’s battle, Harold was killed and his army completely defeated. So this battle was very important on the way of the Roman conquest.5. Domesday BookUnder William, the feudal system was established. William sent officials to compile a property record known as Domesday Book, which completed in 1086. It was the result of a general survey of England made in 1085. It stated the extent, value, the population, state of cultivation, and ownership of the land. It seemed to the English like the Book of doom on Judgement Day.6. the Great CharterKing John’s reign caused much discontent among the barons. In 1215, he was forced to sign a document, known as Mangna Cara, or the Great Charter. It has 63 clauses. Though it has long been regarded as the foundation of English liberities, its spirit was the limitation of the king’s powers, keeping them within the bounds of the feudal law of the land.7. the Hundred Years’ WarIt referred to the intermittent war between France and England that last from 1337 to 1453. The causes were partly territorial and partly economic. When Edward III claimed the French Crown but the French refused to recognize, the war broke out. At first the English were successful, but in the end, they were defeated and lost almost all their possessions in France. The expelling of the English was a blessing for both countries.8. Joan of ArcShe was a national heroine of France during the Hundred Years’ War. She successfully led the French to drive the English out of France.9. the Black DeathIt was the deadly bubonic plague who spread through Europe in the 14th century. It swept through England without warning and any cure, and sparing no victims. It killed between half and one-third of the population of England. Thus, much land was left untended and labour was short. It caused far-reaching economic consequences.10. the Wars of RosesThey referred to the battles between the House of Lancaster and the House of York between 1455 and 1485. The former was symbolized by the red rose, and the latter by the white one. After the wars, feudalism received its death blow and the king’s power became supreme. Thdor monarchs ruled England and Wales for over two hundred years.11. Bloody MaryHenry VIII’s daughter and a devout Catholic. When she became Queen, she persecuted and burnt many Protestants. So she was given the nickname “Bloody Mary”. Mary is also remembered as the monarch who lost the French port of Calais.12. Elizabeth IOne of the greatest monarchs in British history. She reigned England, Wales and Ireland for 45 years and remained single. Her reign was a time of confident English nationalism and of great achievements in literature and other arts, in exploration and in battle.13. Oliver CromwellThe leader during the Civil War who led the New Model Army to defeat the king and condemned him to death. Then he declared England a Commonwealth and made himself Lord of Protector. He ruled England till the restoration of charles II in 1660.14. the Bill of RightsIn 1689, William and Mary accepted the Bill of Rights to be crowned jointly. The bill excluded any Roman Catholic from the succession, confirmed the principle of parliamentary supremacy and guaranteed free speech within both the two Houses. Thus the age of constitutional monarchy began.15. Whigs and ToriesIt referred to the two party names which originated with the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The Whigs were those who opposed absolute monarchy and supported the right to religious freedom for Noncomformists. The Tories were those who supported hereditary monarchy and were reluctant to remove kings. The Whigs formed a coalition with dissident Tories and became the Liberal Party. The Tories were the forerunners of the Conservative Party.16. James WattThe Scottish inventor who produced an efficient steam engine with rotary motion that could be applied to textile and other machinery.17. Winston ChurchillPrime Minister of Britain during the Second World War. He took over Chamberlain in 1940 and received massive popular support. He led his country to final victory in 1945. He was defeated in the general election of 1945, but returned to power in 1951.18. AgribusinessIt refers to the new farming in Britain, because it’s equipped and managed like an industrial business with a set of inputs into the farm of processes which occur on the farm, and outputs or products which leave the farm. The emphasis is upon intensive farming, designes to give the maximum output of crops and animals.19. the British ConstitutionThere is no written constitution in the United Kingdom. The British Constitution is not set out in any single document, but made up of statute law, common law and conventions. The Judiciary determines common law and interpret statues.20. Queen Elizabeth IIThe present Sovereign, born in 1926, came to the throne in 1952 and was crowned in 1953. The Queen is the symbol of the whole nation, the center of many national ceremonies and the leader of society.21. the OppositionIn the General Election, the party which wins the second largest number of seats becomes the offcial Opposition, with its own leader and “shadow cabinet”. The aims of the Opposition are to contribute tothe formulation of policy and legislation, to oppose government proposals, to seek amendments to government bills, and to put forward its own policies in order to win the next general election.22. the Privy CouncilFormerly the chief source of executive power. It gave the Sovereign private (“privy”) advice on the government of the country. Today its role is mainly formal, advising the Sovereign to approve certain government decrees and issuing royal proclamation. Its membership is about 400.23. common lawA written law gathered from numerous decisions of the courts and other sources.24. the juryA legal system established in England since king Henry II. The jury consists of ordinary, independent citizens summoned by the court: 12 persons in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 15 persons in Scotland. In criminal trials by jury, the judge passes sentence but the jury decide the issue of guilt or innocence.25. the NHSThe National Health Service was established in the UK in 1948 and based first on Acts of Parliament. This Service provides for every resident a full range of medical services. It is based upon the principle that there should be full range of publicly provided services designed to help the individual stay healthy. It is now a largely free service.26. comprehensive schoolsState secondary schools which take pupils without reference to ability and provide a wide-ranging secondary education for all or most of the children in a district. About 90 per cent of the state secondary school population in GB attend comprehensive school.27. public schoolsFee-paying secondary schools which are longestablished and have gained a reputation for their high academic standards, as well as their exclusiveness and snobbery. The boys’ public schools include such well-known schools as Eton and Harrow, and girls’ famous s chools include Roedean. Most of the members of the British Establishment were educated at a public school.28. the Great LakesThe Great Lakes are the most important lakes in the United States. They are Lake Superior, which is the largest fresh water lake in the world, Lake Michigan —— the only one entirely in the U.S. —— Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. They are all located between Canada and the United States except Lake Michigan.29. New EnglandNew England is made up of six states of the North-East. They are Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. It is sometimes called the birthplace of America. 30. baby boom“baby boom” refers to the great increase of birth rate between 1946 and 1964. People born in this period are called baby bammers31. the Chinese Exclusion ActIt was passed by the U.S. Congress in may, 1882. It stopped Chinese immigration for ten years. 32. the Bill of RightsIn 1789, James Madison introduced in the House of Representations a series of amendments which later were drafted into twelve proposed amendments and sent to the states for ratification. Ten of them were ratified in 1791 and became the first ten amendments to the Constitution —— the Bill of Rights.33. the Emancipation ProclamationDuring the Civil war, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to get more support for the Union at home and abroad. It granted freedom to all slaves.34. the Constitutional ConventionIn 1787, a conference was held in Philadelphia to consider what should be done to make the Articles of Confederation adequate. All the delegates agreed to revise the Articles of Confederation and draw up a new plan of government. After struggle, the Constitution was ratified at last. This conference is called the Constitutional Convertion.35. the Progressive MovementThe Progressive Movement is a movement demanding government regulation of the economy and social conditions. It spread quickly with the support of large numbers of people across the country. It was not an organi*oals.36. the Peace ConferenceThe Peace Conference or the Paris Conference, began on January 18, 1919. The conference was actually a conference of division of colonies of Germany, Austro-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire and the grabbing of as much as possible from the defeated nations. It was dominated by the Big Four (the United States, Britain. France, and Italy)37. the Truman Doctrine:On March 12, 1949, President Truman put forward the Truman Doctrine in a speech to the joint session of Congress. The Truman Doctrine meant to say that the U.S. government would support any country which said it was fighting against Communism.38. the Marshall PlanOn June 5, 1947, the Secretary of State George Marshall announced the Marshall Plan, which meant that in order to protect Western Europe from possible Soviet expansion, the United States decided to offer Western European countries economic aid.39. the New FrontierIt was the President Kennedy’s program which promised civil rights for blacks, federal aid to farmers and to education, medical care for all and the abolition of poverty.40. checks and balances:The government is divided into three branches, the legislative, the executive and the judicial, each has part of the powers but not all the power. And each branch of government can check, or block, the actions of the other branches. The three branches are thus in balance. This called “checks and balances”.1.AmerigoVespucci--a navigator, proved that the land was not India,but a new continent. Therefore, the land was named America after.2.The Puritans----The Puritans were wealthy, well-educated gentlemen. They wanted to purify the Church of England and threatened with religious persecution, the Puritans leaders saw the New world as the a refuge provided by God for those He meant to save.3.The Bill of Rights----In 1789, James Madison introduced in the House of Representatives a series of amendments which later were drafted into twelve proposed amendments and sent to the states for ratification. Ten of them were ratified in 1791 and the first ten amendments to the constitution were called the Bills of Rights because they were to insure individual liberties.4.The Emancipation Proclamation----After the Civil war began, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to win more support at home and abroad. It granted freedom to all slaves in areas still controlled by the Confederacy.1. What do you know about the Roman invasion of Britain?——In 55 BC and 54 BC, Julius Caesar, a Roman general, invaded Britain twice. In AD 43, the Emperor Claudius invaded Britain successfully. For nearly 400 years Britain was under the Roman occupation, though it was never a total occupation. British recorded history begins with the Roman invasion.2. Why did the William the Conqueror invade England after Edward’s death?——It was said that king Edward had promised the English throne to William but the Witan chose Harold as king. So William led his army to invade England. In October 1066, during the important battle of Hastings, William defeated Harold and killed him. On Christmas Day, William was crowned king of England, thus beginning the Norman Conquest of England.3. What were the consequences of the Norman Conquest?—— The Norman Conquest of 1066 is one of the best known events in English history. It brought about many consequences.William confiscated almost all the land and gave it to his Norman followers. He replaced the weak Saxon rule with a strong Norman government. So the feudal system was completely established in England. Relations with the Continent were opened, and civilization and commerce were extended. Norman-French culture, language, manners, and architecture were been introduced. The church was brought into closer connection with Rome, and the church courts were separated from the civil courts.4. What were the contents and the significance of the Great Charter?——The Great Charter, or the Magna Carta, was document signed in 1215 between the barons and king John. It had altogether 63 clauses, of which the most important contents were these: (1) no tax should be made without the approval of the Grand Council; (2) no freeman should be arrested, imprisoned, or deprived of his property except by the law of the land; (3) the church should possess all its rights and privileges; (4) London and other towns should retain their ancient rights and privileges; (5) there should be the same weights and measures throughout the country.The Great Charter was a statement of the feudal and legal relationship between the Crown and the barons, a guarantee of the freedom of the Church and a limitation of the powers of the king. The spirit of the Great Charter was the limitation of the powers of the king, but it has long been regarded as the foundation of English liberties.5. What do you know about the English Renaissance?——Renaissance was the revival of classical literature and artistic styles in European history. It began in Italy in the early 14th century and spread to England in the late 15th century. The English Renaissance had 5 characteristics: (1) English culture was revitalized not so much directly by the classics as by contemporary Europeans under the influence of the classics; (2) England as an insular country followed a course of social and political history which was to a great extent independent of the course of history else where in Europe; (3) Owning to the great genius of the 14th century poet chaucer, the native literature was vigorous enough and experienced in assimilating foreign influences without being subjected by them; (4) English Renaissance literature is chiefly artistic, rather than philosophical and scholarly; (5) the Renaissance coincided with the Reformation inEngland.The English Renaissance was largely literary, and achieved its finest expression in the so-called Elizabethan drama. Its finest exponents were Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and William Shakespeare.6. Why did the Restoration take place?——When Oliver Cormwell died in 1658 and was succeeded by his son, Richard, the regime began to collapse. One of Cromwell’s generals occupied London and arranged for new parliamentary elections. The Parliament thus was elected in 1660, and to resolve the crisis, it asked the late king’s son to return from his exile in France as king Charles II. It was called the Restoration.7. How did the “Glorious Revolution” break out? What was the significance of it?——In 1685 Charles II died and was succeeded by his brother James II. James, who was brought up in exile in Europe, was a Catholic, He hoped to rule without giving up his personal religious views. But England was no more tolerant of a Catholic king in 1688 than 40 years. So the English politicians rejected James II, and appealed to a Protestant king, William of Orange, to invade and take the English throne. William landed in England in 1688. The takeover was relatively smooth, with no bloodshed, no any execution of the king. This was known as the Glorious Revolution. William and his wife Mary were both protestants and became co-monarchs. T hey accepted the Bill of Rights. It’s the beginning of the age of constitutional monarchy.8. What is your comment on land enclosures in England?——Agricultural enclosure became frequent in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It has good as well as bad results: (1) Farms became bigger and bigger units as the great bought up the small; (2) more vegetables, more milk and more dairy produce were consumed, and diet became more varied;(3) enclosure was a disaster for the tenants evicted from their lands by the enclosures. They were forced to look for work in towns, which rapidly became hopelessly over crowded. It also lead to mass emigration, particularly to the New World; (4) a new class hostility was introduced into rural relationships. Concentration of land in fewer hands increased the price of land and dashed the labourers’ hopes of even owning his own land. Many became wage labourers, earning low rates in spite of agriculture’s new prosperity.9. How did the English Industrial Revolution proceed?——T he Industrial Revolution began with the textile industry. It’s characterized by a series of inventions and improvements of machines, such as John Ray’s flying shuttle, James Hargreaves’ spinning Jenny, Richard Arkwright’s waterframe and Samuel Cropton’s mu le. The Scottish inventor James Watt produced a very efficient steam engine in 1765, which could be applied to textile and other machinery. The most important element in speeding industriali* iron with coke instead of charcoal in 1709. Similar developments occurred in the forging side of the iron industry which enabled iron to replace wool and stone in many sectors of the economy. Improved transporation ran parallel with production.As a result of the industrial revolution, Britain was by 1830 the “workshop of the world”; no other country could compete with her in industrial production.10. What do you know about the Chartist Movement and the People’s Charter? What’s your comment on them?——The Chartist Movement was an industrial working class movement that happened in England from 1836 to 1848. In 1836 a group of skilled workers and small shopkeepers formed the London Working Men’s Association. They drew up a charter of political demands (known as the People’s Charter) in 1838, which had six points: (1) the vote for all adult males, (2) voting by secret ballot, (3)equal electoral districts, (4) abolition of property qualifications for members of Parliament, (5) payment of members of Parliament, and (6) annual Parliament, with a General Election every June. Support for these six demands was loudly voiced all over the country. Other working men formed Chartist groups throughout the country to press Parliament to accept the 6 points. But Parliament rejected them for three times. In the end, the Chartist Movement failed.It failed because of its weak and divided leadership, and its lack of coordination with trade-unionism. The working class was still immature. The Chartist Movement, however, the first nation wide working class movement and drew attention to serious problems. The 6 points were achieved very gradually over the period of 1858-1918, although the sixth has never been practical.11. How did the Labour Party come into being?——As the new working class became established in the industrial towns in the late 18th century, they became aware of the power which they could possess if they acted together instead of separately. So various working class organizations were formed which brought about the formation of the Labour Party.The Labour Party had its origins in the Independent Labour Party, which was formed in January, 1893 and Led by Keir Hardie, a Scottish miner. The foundation of an effective party for labour depended on the trade unions. In 1900, representatives of trade unions, the ILP, and a number of small societies set up the Labour Representation Committee (LRC). The LRC changed its name to be Labour Party in time for the general election which was called for 1906. The Labour Party remains one of the two major parties in Britain until today.12. What is a constitutional monarchy? When did it begin in Britain?——A constitutional monarchy is a governmental system in which the head of State is a king or a queen who reigns but does not rule. The country is namely reigned by the Sovereign, but virtually by His or Her Majesty’s Government —— a body of Ministers who are the leading members of whichever political party the electorate has voted into office, and who are responsible to Parliament.The Constitutional Monarchy in Britain began in 1689, when king William and Queen Mary jointly accepted the Bill of Rights, which guaranteed free speech within both the House of Lords and the House of Commons and constitutional monarchy, of a monarchy with power limited by Parliament began.13. What is the role of the Monarchy in the British government?——The sovereign is the symbol of the whole nation. In law, he/she is head of the executive, an integral part of the legislature, head of the judiciary, the commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of the crown and the “supreme governor” of the established church of England.14. What are the main functions of Parliament?——The main functions of Parliament are: (1) to pass laws; (2) to provide the means of carrying on the work of government by voting for taxation; (3) to examine government policy and administration, including proposals for expenditure; (4) to debate the major issues of the day.15. Why do the criminal convicts like to be tried first before the magistrates’ courts?——A Magistrates’ court tries summary offences and “either way” offences. It is open to the public and the media and usually consists of three unpaid “lay” magistrates. A magistrates’ court sits without a jury.The criminal law presumes the innocence of the accused until he has been proved guilty beyond reasonable doubt; every possible step is taken to deny to the prosecution any advantage over the defence. No accused person has to answer the questions of the police before trials; he is not compelled to give evidence or to submit to cross-examination in court.16. What does the civil courts system do?——The civil courts system does the following jurisdiction: (1) actions founded upon contract and tort; (2) trust and mortgages cases; (3) actions for the recovery of land; (4) cases involving disputes between landlords and tenants; (5) admiralty cases and patent cases; and (7) divorce cases and other family matters.17. What is meant by the term “welfare state” in Britain?——The welfare state is a system of government by which the state provides the economic and social security of its citizens through its organization of health services, pensions and other facilities. The system is funded out of national insurance contributions and taxation. In Britain the term applies mainly to National Health Service (NHS), national insurance and social security.18. What is the most important established Church in Britain? How is it related to the Crown and linked with the State?——The most important established Church in Britain is the Church of England.It is uniquely related to the Crown in that the Sovereign must be a member of that church and, as “Defender of the Faith”, must promise on his or her accession to uphold it. Church of England archbishops, bishops and deans of cathedrals are appointed by the Monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Church is also linked with the State through the House of Lords, in which the two archbishops (of Canterbury and York), the bishops of London, Durham and Winchester, and 21 other senior bishops of London, Durham and Winchester, and 21 other senior bishops have seats19. What distinguishes the Open University from all other British Universities?——The Open University is non-residential university which is “open” to all to become students. It offers degree and other courses for adult students of all ages in Britain and other member countries of the EU. It was founded in 1969 and began its first courses in 1970. It was a combination of specially produced printed texts, correspondence tuition, television and radio broadcasts and audio/video cassettes. For some courses, there are residential schools. There is a network of study centers for contact with part-time tutors and counselors, and with fellow students.20.Say something about the three immigration waves.——The first immigration wave began in the mid 1810s, grew steadily during the 1830s and 40s and reached the highest point in 1845. The second wave covered the period between 1860 and 1890. The third wave was the largest of the three. It happeded between 1890 and 1914.21. Why did the early settlers come to America? Who were the Pilgrims? Who were the Puritans? What were the features in the colonial period which had influence on later American development? ——The early settlers came to America either for the opportunity to realize their dreams and better their lives or for the freedom from religious and governmental persecution. The Pilgrims were persons who suffered religious persecution in England and went to Holland and later moved to America in 1620. The Puritans were the members of a Protestant group in England who wanted to purify the Church of England. Dissatisfied and threatened in England, they saw America as a refuge and migrated to America since 1630. There were a number of features in the colonial period which had influence on later American development. They were: representative form of government, rule of law, respect of individual rights, religious tolerance and a strong spirit of individual enterprise.22. What were the causes of the War of Independence?——The economy in the thirteen colonies developed very fast and people wanted more power to detemine their own business. But the policy of the British government was to bring the development under control and to collect more taxes from the colonies. On April 19, 1775, on their way to Concord to seize the military supplies of the militia there, the British soldiers met armed militiamen. The shotswere fired, the War of Independence began.23. What was unusual about the Article of Confederation? What was the struggle at the Constitutional Convention? How was the conflict solved?——The Article of Confederation was unusual in many ways. First, it provided for no king. The drafters blamed the troubles with Britain on king George III. So they decided not to have a king but to have a republic. This was revolutionary. Second, while the Articles created a central government in the form of a Congress, the emphasis was still on state powers. Third, the Articles of Confederation was a written constitution for the United States. No important country in the world at that time, including Britain, had a written constitution. At the Constitution Convertion the delegates all agreed it was impossible to try to patch up the Articles of Confederation, and decided to ignore them and draw up a new plan of government. Here contradictions emerged between the bigger states and smaller states, between the industrial commercial interests and landed interests, etc. In the end, the conflict was resolved by the “Great Compromise” of July 16, giving each state and equal vote in the Senate but making representation in the House reflect the size of each state’s population.24. Why did the Civil War break out? How did the war end?——In the early 1800s, the Northern states turned from farming to manufacturing. Black slavery soon disappeared in the North. But things were different in the South. The South expanded both its agriculture and its slavery. The problem of slavery became a serous political issue. The abolitionists tried to abolish slavery while the South tried to keep it. When Abraham Lincoln was elected President, the Southern states broke away and formed a new nation. Then Lincoln was determined to maintain the Union and the war broke out on April 12, 1861, Lincoln realized that he could win support for the Union at home and abroad by making the war a just war against slavery. So he issued Emancipation Proclamation. Thus England and France stood by the Union’s side. Many black slaves joined the Union Army. After a series of battles, Robert Lee could no longer hold Richmond. He surrendered on April 9, 1865. The Civil War ended.25. What were the contents of the New Deal?——The New Deal included the following contents;(1) establishment and strengthening of government regulation and control of banking, credit and currency systems, overcoming the financial crisis and restriction of certain extreme practices of financial capital;(2) federal government management of relief and establishment of social security system such as the formation of the Civilian Conservation Crops and the setting-up of the Tennessee Valley Authority;(3) stimulation of the recover of industry and agriculture;(4) formulation and implementation of federal labour laws to raise the role of labour in the relations of production;(5) improvement of the situation of minorities and members of certain religious groups.26. What was the impact of the Vietnam War-on American society?——The Vietnam War had a great impact on American society.(1) The United States was weakened as a result of the long war.(2) American society had never been so divided since the Civil War.(3) There was serious disagreement with in the ruling circle.(4) The image of the United States, especially the image of the American armed forces, was discredited.27. Who was McCarthy and what was McCarthyism?——Joseph R. McCarthy was U.S. Senator. He started his campaign by saying on Feb. 9, 1950 that he。
英美概况知识点总结归纳
英美概况知识点总结归纳英美概况是指英国和美国的文化、历史、政治、经济、教育等各方面的概况。
这两个国家在世界上具有重要的地位，对世界文化和政治产生了深远的影响。
下面将对英美概况的各个方面进行总结归纳。
一、文化概况1. 英国文化英国是一个拥有悠久历史的国家，其文化底蕴深厚。
英国文学自古至今在世界范围内具有重要地位，莎士比亚、狄更斯、奥斯丁等众多文学家的作品至今仍然备受人们喜爱。
英国音乐、戏剧、电影等领域也有着丰富的传统。
2. 美国文化美国是一个移民国家，因此其文化融合了来自世界各地的元素，呈现出多元化和包容性。
美国文学、音乐、电影等在世界上具有很大影响力，如杰克·伦敦、海明威、福克纳等作家的作品、爵士乐、摇滚乐、好莱坞电影等都深受人们喜爱。
3. 英美文化交流英美两国之间的文化交流十分频繁，互相影响。
英国音乐、戏剧、文学等在美国具有很大影响力，而美国的流行音乐、电影、文化现象也在英国广受欢迎。
二、历史概况1. 英国历史英国历史可以追溯到古代，罗马、盎格鲁-撒克逊、诺曼底人等不同民族和文化在英国留下了深远的影响。
英国从16世纪开始成为世界上的帝国大国，殖民了大量领土。
20世纪初，英国逐渐衰落，但仍然在政治、文化方面占有重要地位。
2. 美国历史美国历史相对年轻，但是却是一个充满传奇色彩的国家。
美国独立战争后成为独立国家，并在19世纪成为世界上最强大的国家之一。
20世纪，美国在两次世界大战后成为世界超级大国，对世界政治、经济产生了深远影响。
3. 英美历史关系英国曾是美国的殖民地，双方有着深厚的历史渊源。
美国革命后，两国保持了密切的关系，经济、文化、政治等方面有着广泛的交流合作。
三、政治概况1. 英国政治英国是一个君主立宪制国家，国家元首是君主，首相是政府首脑。
英国的政治体系成熟稳定，经过数百年的发展，形成了一套完善的议会制度和法律体系。
2. 美国政治美国是一个总统制国家，总统是国家元首和政府首脑。
英美概况考试笔记
英美概况考试笔记英语国家概况The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 英国的历史分四部分:1.The Origins of a Nation2.The Shaping of the Nation3.Transition to the Mordern Age4.The Rise and Fall of the British Empire1 取关键词Origins的字头O2 取关键词Shaping的字头S3 取关键词Mordern的字头M4 取关键词Empire的字头E连起来就是OSME=O+S+ME=O(哦),S(是)ME(我)!接着每个部分的标题串在一起,用一句话来记忆.要好好记住每句话里所包括的每个字母代表的是什么标题.可以看几遍这个情景对话,熟悉了之后可以不费吹灰之力就能记住整个英国历史的线索.有了这条线,你再把主要的记忆点,象珠子一样地穿起来,这样回忆就非常容易了.可谓既见树木,又见森林.一切尽在掌握.History of UK (---O.S.M.E---) 哦（O），是（S）我（ME）O: Early settlers -> Roman Britain -> Anglo-Saxons -> the Viking and Danish Invations -> the Norman Conquest O（哦）：eravidan=era(时代)+vida(维达,女名)+n(诺曼征服)句子：（老公看着一本英语国家概况在那里自言自语）哦，原来英国的新时代是伟大的维达小姐实现诺曼征服之后开始的。
S: Norman Rule -> the Great Charter -> the Hundred Years' War with France -> the Blackdeath and the peasant uprising S(是)：ng（拼音：ng=嗯）+hb(hubby丈夫，的缩写)[N+G+H+B]句子：（老婆在看电视，漫不经心地说）是的，嗯, 老公。
英美概况名词解释
英美概况名词解释英美概况是指英国和美国的基本情况和特点。
下面是对英美概况中一些重要名词的解释：1. 英国（United Kingdom）：由英格兰、苏格兰、威尔士和北爱尔兰四个国家组成的岛国。
英国是世界上最古老的民主国家之一，拥有丰富的文化遗产，包括莎士比亚、披头士乐队等。
2. 美国（United States of America）：由50个州组成的联邦共和国，位于北美洲。
美国是世界上最强大的经济体之一，以及军事、科技、文化等各个领域的重要国家。
3. 英语（English）：英国和美国的官方语言，也是世界上被广泛使用的语言之一。
英国英语和美国英语在语音、发音、词汇等方面有一些差异，但是基本互通。
4. 联合国（United Nations）：成立于1945年的国际组织，致力于维护国际和平与安全、促进全球合作与发展。
英国和美国都是联合国的创始成员国，并在联合国中扮演着重要角色。
5. 环境保护（Environmental Protection）：指保护和改善环境，减少对环境的破坏。
英国和美国都高度重视环境保护，推行一系列措施，如减少污染排放、保护自然资源、推动可持续发展等。
6. 市场经济（Market Economy）：一种经济体制，以市场为基础，由供求关系决定资源配置和价格形成。
英国和美国都采用市场经济模式，注重市场竞争和个体自由，以及保护产权和鼓励创新。
7. 民主制度（Democracy）：一种政治制度，主权由人民拥有，通过选举和公民参与来决定国家事务。
英国和美国都是民主国家，实行三权分立和代议制度，保障公民的基本权利与自由。
8. 文化多样性（Cultural Diversity）：指不同文化在一个社会、国家或地区共存，并且相互影响、交流的现象。
由于历史和移民等原因，英国和美国都具有丰富的文化多样性，包括语言、宗教、习俗、饮食等方面。
以上是对英美概况中一些重要名词的简要解释。
这些名词涉及到政治、经济、文化等多个领域，对于了解和认识英美两国有很重要的意义。
英美概况名词解释(美)
名词解释1. Marshall Plan（马歇尔计划，又称欧洲复兴计划；Chapter 9）：An American policy presented by George Marshall in 1947, proposing massive and systematic aid to Western Europe in order to keep Communists out of political power in Europe and establish the international economic order.2. Monroe Doctrine （门罗主义；Chapter 6）：A foreign policy announced by James Monroe in 1823, opposing European colonialism in the Americas and taking a neutral attitude towards affairs of colonies still owned by European nations in the New World.3. Electoral College （选举人团；Chapter 12）：A mechanism in the United States for the indirect electionof the President and Vice President .Citizens of the United States vote in each state and the District of Columbia at a general election to choose a slate of "electors" pledged to vote for a particular party's candidate.△各州选民先选出本州总统选举人，其数目与该州在国会中的议员数相等。
英美概况名词解释-史上最全哦
英美概况名词解释-史上最全哦英国部分Thames RiverHigh LandersBritish Commonwealth 英联邦伦敦佬Maritime Climate 海洋性气候English ChannelChunnel 英吉利海峡隧道9. “pea soup ” fogs 伦敦雾isles: 巨石阵becket: 托马斯Chaucerof arc: 圣女贞德: 罗拉德派Puritans 清教徒CaesarHardrian's Wall 哈德连长城七王国贤人会议the Great 豆瓣the Conqueror 威廉征服battle of Hastings Danelaw 施行丹麦法的地区Conquest 诺曼征服Book 英国国王1806 年颁的土地调查清册Black Death 黑死病divine rights of kings 君权神授Wars of Roses 玫瑰战争（考过） Spanish Armada: 西班牙无敌舰队Glorious Revolution of 1688 光荣革命Gunpowder Plot of 1605 火药阴谋案Mary 血腥玛丽boroughs 衰败选区Pankhurst 潘克赫斯特太太是女权的主要倡导者之一。
league of nations 国际联盟blitz 闪电战beatles 甲克虫乐队撒切尔主义of payments 收支平衡Maynard Keynestrade and invisible trade union 欧盟policies（货币主义政策）Trade Union Act of 1871 工会法农业产业disease 英国病monarchy 君主立宪制Council 枢密院law 公共法state opening of parliament Civil list 英国王室费（考过）civil service 公务员（考过） peer 终身贵族无罪裁决Crown Court 刑事法庭punishment 死刑metropolitan police force National Health Service 英国国民保健制度insurance 社会保险practitioner（GP）workersalvation armyschools 路透社（GM）Schools 有公费保证的学校（升学考试）murdochbritish museumThanksgiving DayIreland（爱尔兰）美国部分Vespuccitruman doctrineboomgreat lakesisland8."the great compromise" Emancipation Proclamation taxtation without representation Chinese Exclution Act servants tea party（考过） dividegettysburg addressku klux klan黑幕揭发者nationalismred scare progressive movement New Dealmarshall plansmith actcivil rights act of 1964 poverty line 32 checks and balances34. the free enterprise system35. the federal systemof powers37. private schooldistrict39. global education40. poor richard's almanac42. jazzera44. father's day's day46. congressional medal of honor48. Great Canyon49. New EnglandAmericans51. ChicanosRicansPapersFirst Continental Congress DestinyBlack ThursdayFrontierHuron StatementCorn Belt62。
英美概况上期末复习.docx
英美概况期末复习一、名词解释1、Prime Minister 首相The Prime Minister is the number-one minister of all the British ministers. After a general election, the leader of the party that has won the majority of the seats in the House of Commons will be appointed Prime Minister by the monarch. The Prime Minister is the head of the British Government and is rather powerful in making appointments. The Prime Minister not only controls the Cabinet but also the Parliament2、British Parliament 英国议会The British Parliament comprises 3 elements --------- the Monarch, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons. In law, the Monarch is the official head of the Parliament; the two House are separate and equal. In reality, the Monarch is nothing but the symbolic part, the real power in passing laws is held mainly by the House of Commons. The British Parliament has the supreme legislative authority in the United Kingdom・3、The Speaker 议长The chief officer of the House of Commons is the Speaker, who is also known as the president of the Chambe匚The Speaker is elected by the House of Commons, but normally only after the party leaders have privately agreed beforehand on a particular person. Once elected, he can hold the position until his retirement when he will be made a pee匚Though he may belong to one of the political parties, the Speaker has to give up all party loyalties. He is next only to the Prime Minister in rank. The Speaker never votes except when the votes are equal. Then he gives the deciding vote.4、Question Time 质询时间Every day when the Commons meets, they begin their meeting with a "Question Time,M which is an hour of parliamentary time after prayers and some preliminaries. During the "Question Time"ministers, in rotation, answer questions put to them on matters for which they are responsible・ The questions are put forward by MPs and usually handed in beforehand・After the "Question Time”follows the main debate of the day.5、The "Three Readings"三独The process of passing it is similar in both of the Houses. According to a long-established practice, it must have three "readings^. In the Commons, it has the "first reading9' on introduction announcing its coming forward・ After a debate on its general principles and merits, it receives the "second reading^. At the end of the debate on the "second reading^, a vote is taken. Next the bill receives the "third reading^.6、Jury陪审团A Jury is a body of responsible, impartial citizens who are called to hear evidence in a law court andbound under oath to give an honest answer based on the evidence to question put before them. A Jury normally comprises 12 jurors, but in Scotland it consists of 15 people. In the United Kingdom all people between the ages of 18 and 65 or 70 whose names are on the electoral register can be chosen to serve on a jury except the ineligible・ Their names are chosen by lot. Those who are chosen cannot refuse jury service・ The jury decides whether the defendant is guilty or not in jury trials.7、By—elections 递补选举When an MP dies or resigns, or becomes a peer, his seat in the House of Commons is vacant・ Then a by一election is held to fill the vacancy・ A by一election is a local election. It is usually regarded asa test of national opinion in the period between general elections.8、Public Schools 公立大学"Public schools二the best—known of the independent schools in Great Britain, are secondary boarding schools preparing students academically for higher education, typically at Oxford or Cambridge University and ultimately for leadership in English life.9、The "Eleven Plus"Before 1965, after having finished their primary school education, pupils had to take a traditional selection test for entry to different types of secondary schools・It became known as the “Eleven Plus” for most children entered secondary schools shor什y after their 1 l lh birthday. Those who had got high marks went to grammar schools, and the rest, by far the majority, went to technical or secondary modern schools.10、The College System 学院制The administration of the university is the responsibility taken by their own governing councils・The universities decide the matters such as the prescription of syllabi, the arrangement of lectures, the conduct of examinations, and the award of degrees but the colleges are fairly independent. They are controlled by their own governing bodies, and all the colleges are parallel and equal institutions.By this college system, all students live in college during at least part of their course・11、The Tutorial System 导师制The tutorial system is a system of individual tuition which is organized by the college・ It is a way of teaching in these two universities. By this tutorial system, each student gets personal tuition oncea week in his tutor's own room・ This, with a weekly programme of private study is considered soimportant that students are not even compelled to attend general lectures. Students are free to choose the lectures they like・ Any one from any college may attend the university lectures.12、The Redbrick Universities 红砖大学The redbrick universities refer to all universities founded between 1850and 1930. They were called "redbrick" because that was the favourite building material of the time・ The University of London and Durham University included in this group・13、The Open University 开放大学The Open University was founded in 1969. It is a major innovation in the academic world providinga second chance for those who missed the opportunity for higher education at the age of 18 orthereabouts. The Open University offers tuition to degree standard to anyone who chooses to register.Unlike students in the other universities, they pay no boarding fees for the live at home・ After the end of their studies they take an examination. The successful students are granted a university degree.14、The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)英国广播公司The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a state—owned corporation. As a public service body, the present BBC was incorporated by the Royal Charter inn 1927 replacing the then British Broadcasting Corporation, a consortium of receiving equipment manufacturers established in 1992 to provide radio broadcasting service on a regular basis. The BBC's regular television broadcasting service began in 1936・ From 1927 to 1955 the BBC remained a monopoly of radio broadcasting,and later television broadcasting in Great Britain. Now, the BBC controls five national radio services,37 local radio stations and 2 national television channels.15、U nion Jack/Union Flag 英国国旗Union Jack/Union Flag is the national banner of the United Kingdom. It contains three crosses: St.George\ Cross, standing for the English people; St. Andrew's Cross, representing the Scottish people;and St. Patrick's Cross, for the Irish people. The first design was created in the 13th century, the ultimate design was settled in 1801.16、J ohn Bull约翰牛(特指英国或者英国人)John Bull is the nickname of the United Kingdom・ It is a household word in Britain・ It represents English people・ The name came from a book The History of John Bull by a Scottish. Now John Bull is regarded as a jovial, honest, solid and foursquare^ farmer.17、B ritish Isles不列颠群岛British Isles is a geographical term- It refers to an area including the two big islands, Great Britain and Ireland and many small islands between them and around them・ Two countries are located there: Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland・18、O ld English 古英语Old English is also known as An gio—Saxon. It is the term given to the language in its earliest written stage dating from 700 to 1150.Old English is a blend of German dialects spoken by the An gios, the Saxo ns and the Jutes. It is different from Modern English in phonology, morphology, spelling conventions, and syntax・19、M iddle English 中世纪英语The time: Middle English covered the time span from 1150 to 1500.The importance: The Middle English era was the era in which Britain broke the firm control of the Normans and became independent from France.The features of Middle English: It underwent greater changes than both Old English and Modern English A). The long bilingual phase in English history had exerted a profound effect on the structure of English, indirectly in its morphology and syntactic practice; and directly in its vocabulary・B) The great changes in this era made English become an analytic language instead of a synthetic one. C) Standard Pronunciation took shape by the end of the 14th century・20、T he Established ChurchesThe Established Churches are the churches which are "legally recognized as official churches of the state：There are two established churches™the Church of England and the Church of Scotland. 21、T he Church of EnglandThe Church of England is also called the Anglican Church. It is the national church of England.The Church of England has two provinces・Each province comprises some dioceses. A diocese is composed of many deaneries. A deanery is subdivided into many parishes.Though the Church of England is a national church, it is not financed by the state. The Church supports itself financially・It has its own properties, stocks and shares, and it receives endowment.The Church of England is Protestant in nature・22、T he Church of ScotlandIn Scotland, the established church is the Church of Scotland・ Il derived its status as the nationalchurch from The Treaty of Union 17O7.The government and nature of the Church. It is Presbyterian in church government and Calvinist (a branch of Protestantism) in nature.The central governing body is the General Assembly, in which the monarch is represented by the Lord High commissioner.Below the General Assembly is the Court of the Synod, then comes the Court of presbytery, and fin ally the Kirk Session.23、T he Free Churches 自由教会Generally, The Free Churches refer to the non—onformist churches in England・ The members of the Free churches are the "dissenters" as they are originally called. After the reformation in the 16th century, many Protestants separated from the Church of England (because they thought that the Church of England had not completely ridded of itself of the rules and practices of the Church of Rome.) and threw away all the Roman rules and formed the free churches of their own. Now in the Free Churches there are no archbishops and bishops and the churches are bare, and services are simple・24、B ritish Cabinet 英国公民British Cabinet is a committee of important ministers, departmental or non-departmental. It came into being in the late 17th and early 18th centuries・ And it emerged out of the Privy Council when the body grew to large for effective discussion. The Cabinet today is composed of about 20 ministers headed by the Prime Ministe匚But the number of the members is not fixed. In time of emergency or in the war time, the Cabinet is usually small in order to make decisions effectively.二、填空I、 The official name of Great Britain is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland .2> The Union Flag is composed of 3 (St. Geonge's Cross. St. Andrew's Cross- St. Patrick's Cross)crosses,3s The national song in Britain is God Save the Oueen(Kin2)・4^ Of all four parts in Britain, Engkind is largest in area.5、The Republic of Ireland is the only land neighbour to Great Britain.6、The British Isles is composed of two big islands: Great Britain and Ireland •7^ In topography, traditionally, Great Britain is divided into two parts: a Highland Zone and a Lowland Zone ・8、The Pennines is called Backbone of England ・9、There live g peoples in Britain.10、T he pre-Celts were the Iberians and Beaker Folk •II、A part from English, Welsh and Gaelic are spoken in Britain.12、The English language belongs to the Germanic branch of Indo—European language family.13、English is one of the even smaller divisions of Low West Germanic and it is descended from OldEnglish14^ Modern English is mainly the marriage of Anglo—Sax on and Norma n・ French ・15、Old English is also known as An21o・Saxon ・16> It is in the stage of Middle English that English became an analytic language instead of a syntheticone.17^ Johnson's A Dictionary of the English Lan^ua^c is taken as the first English dictionary.18、T oday, English is the closest thing to a “lingua franca”, an in ternational language ・19、I n the year 597 , St. Augustine was sent by Pope Gregory I to spread Christianity inEng land ・20、T here are two established churches in Britain ■一the Church of England and the Church ofScotland .21、T he Church of England is Protestant in nature・22> The Church of Scotland is Presbyterian in church government and Calvinist in doctrine.23、T he British government is usually called Her Majesty's Government ・24、T he British Prime Minister lives and works in Number 10 Downing Street .25、T he tenure of office for the British Prime Minister is 5 years ・26 > The British Cabinet emerged out of the Priv# Council .27、T he present monarch in Britain is Oucen Elizabeth II •28、T he official birthday of the Queen Elizabeth is celebrated on Thursday of the second week inJune .29、T he British Parliament I composed of 3 elements.30、T he life of British Parliament lasts 5 years,31、T he life of the British Parliament is divided into sessions •32^ The British parliament is the “Mother of Parliaments”and it is the oldest Parliament・33、The House of Lords consists of the Lords Spiritual and Lords Temporal.34> The House of Lords is presides over by the Lord Speaker .35、T he head of Lower House in Britain is the Speaker •36、T he head of the British central government is The Prime Minister .37^ The head of state in Britain is the monarch ・38、The two major political parties in Britain are the Conservative Party and the Labour Party.39> The Conservative Party developed from the Independent Labour Party .40、T he Labour Party is the successor of the Tories •41、T he general election in Britain is held every 5 years.42、I n each constituency a suitable person is appointed as a Returning officer , an official in charge ofa parliamentary election.43 > After general election in Britain the party in opposition forms a Shadow Cabinet .三、问答题1、Whaf the official name of Britain?The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland2> How many popular names do you know about the country?3・ England> Great Britain > BritainHow much do you know about the British Isles?It is a geographical term. It refers to an area including the two big islands, Great Britain and Ireland and many small islands between them and around them. Two countries are located there: GreatBritain and the Republic of Ireland.4. What is the national song of Britain? God Save the Queen/God Save the King5x How many parts does Britain contain? 4. Engla nd、Scotia nd、Wales Northern Ireland6> What is the only land neighbour of Britain? The Republic of Ireland7> Name the surrounding waters of Britain?the east: the North Sea; the south: the English Channel;the north: the Atlantic Ocean; the west: the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean8、What kind of climate does Britain have?the prevailing south-westerly wind, the numerous inlets in the western coasts9> What are the features of English weather? changeable> rainy > foggy > windy10> Where is the population in Britain concentrated? England11> Why do we say Britain is a highly urbanized nation?96 percent of the total population in Britain live in cities and towns. Only 4 percent live in ruralareas. That makes Britain an urbanized nation.12> How many peoples are there in Britain? What are they? Who are the majorities and who arethe minorities?4 peoples. The English> The Scots、The WelshThe IrishThe English is the majority； The Scots, The Welsh and The Irish are the minorities.13N Who are the ancestors of the Welsh? Who are the ancestors of the Scots? Who are the ancestors of the Irish? And who are the ancestors of the English?the Brythons> the Gaels> the Gaels、Anglo一Saxons, the Normans and other races.14.What's the official language spoken in Britain? English15> What other languages are spoken in Britain besides English? Welsh and Gaelic 16N What is the origin of English language?The English language belongs to the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family.English is one of the even smaller division of Low West Germanic and is descended from Old English.17> Who and when for the first time came to Britain and spread Christianity?In 597, St. Augustine・18. Where did he choose to spread Christianity? Canterbury19> What are established churches?The Established Churches are the churches which are "legally recognized as official churches of the state”.20N H OW many established churches are there in Britain? And what are they?2 The Church of England and the Church of Scotland21> Who are the spiritual leaders of the Church of England?the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York22> What is the relation between the Monarch and the Church of England?By law, the Monarch (Sovereign) is the supreme head of the Church of England・ He is the temporal leader of the Church.23、W hat is the nature of the Church of England?The Church of Engla nd is Protesta nt in nature. Its doctrine, services and prayers are set in the Thirty—Nine Articles and The Books of Common Praye匚In addition, there are differencesbetween the High Church and the Low Church・24、W hat is the nature of the Church of Scotland?It is Calvinist (a branch of Protestantism) in nature・25> What are major Free Churches in Britain?the Methodist Church> the United Reformed Church >the Baptist Church > the Quakers and the Salvation Army.26> By whom is the Roman Catholic Church headed in Britain? The Roman Pope27.Who is the head of state in Britain? The monarch28.Who is the head of the British central government? The Prime Minister29.Where does the British Prime Minister live and work? Number 10 Downing Street30.How long is the tenure of office for the British Prime Minister? 5 years3K Who is the present monarch in Britain? Queen Elizabeth II32* When is the national day in Britain? Thursday of the second week in June・33.What elements is the British Parliament composed of ?The Monarch, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons・34.What is the major function of a jury in Britain?The jury decides whether the defendant is guilty or not in jury trials.35> What are the two major political parties now in Britain ?The Conservative Party and the Labour Party・36、What is the electoral method in Britain ?The electoral method is the first-past-post method or simply the majority method・37> How many British national dailies do you know?The Times> The Guardian、Financial Times、The Daily TelegraphThe IndependentDaily Express> Daily Mail. Daily Star> Morning Star> Daily Mirror> The Sun* Today38.How many British national Sundays do you know?The observer> Sunday Telegraphs The Sunday Times> The Independent on Sunday>The Mail on Sunday > News of the World> Sunday Express> Sunday Mirror> The People> Sun day Sport39.How many famous British magazines do you know?Classification> The Economists The Spectator40^ Of all news agencies in Britain, which one is the most influential? Reuters。
英美概况中名词解释
Major TermsThe United States of America1.The Mississippi -----It is the most important and longest reiver in the US. It flows about 6400km from its northwestern source in the Rockies to the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi and its tributariies drain one of the richest farm areas in the world.2.The melting pot-----It means that the US is composed of immigrants from different nations allover the world.3.W ASPs-----It stands for White Anglo-Saxon Protestants. They are the mainstream ofAmericans who are the descentdents of the early English settlers.4.Jamestown-----The first permanent colony established by the English in 1607.5.Declaration of Independence-----The United States Declaration of Independence is astatement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies should be free and independent states. It was drafted by Thomas Jefferson.6.Bill of Rights-----The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments tothe United States Constitution. The Bill of Rights is a series of limitations on the power of the United States federal government, protecting the natural rights of liberty and property including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, a free press, free assembly, and free association, as well as the right to keep and bear arms. In federal criminal cases, it requires indictment by a grand jury for any capital or "infamous crime", guarantees a speedy, public trial with an impartial jury composed of members of the state or judicial district in which the crime occurred, and prohibits double jeopardy. In addition, the Bill of Rights reserves for the people any rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution and reserves all powers not specifically granted to the federal government to the people or the States.7.The Louisiana Purchase-----The acquisition by the United States of America of 2,147,000km2France's claim to the territory of Louisiana in 1803. The U.S. paid $11,250,000 plus cancellation of debts worth $3,750,000, for a total sum of 15 million dollars for the Louisiana territory ($219 million in 2010 dollars).8.Gettysburg Address-----A speech by Lincoln on Nov. 19,1863 after the northern victory atGettysburg. The speech was considered unimportant at the time, but has come to be viewed by the Americans as one of the most significant expressions of American democracy.9.Emancipation Proclamation-----An executive order issued by United States PresidentAbraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, during the American Civil War under his war powers.It proclaimed the freedom of 3.1 million of the nation's 4 million slaves, and immediately freed 50,000 of them, with the rest freed as Union armies advanced.10.Ku Klux Klan-----Racist terrorist organization in the U.S. organized by veterans of theConfederate army, first as a social club and then as a secret means of resisting Reconstruction and restoring white domination over newly enfranchised blacks.11.The Gilded Age-----A term refering to substantial growth in population in the United Statesand extravagant displays of wealth and excess of America's upper-class during the post-CivilWar and post-Reconstruction era, in the late 19th century (1865-1901). Modern America’s formative period, when an agrarian society of small producers was transformed into an urban society dominated by industrial corporations.12.Open door policy-----It is a statement of U.S. foreign policy toward China. Issued by U.S.secretary of state John Hay (1899), the statement reaffirmed the principle that all imperialist powers should have equal access to any Chinese port open to trade.13.Big Stick Policy-----A form of hegemony and was the slogan describing U.S. PresidentTheodore Roosevelt’s corollary推论to the Monroe Doctrine. The term originated from the African proverb "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." The idea of negotiating peacefully, simultaneously threatening with the "big stick", or the military.14.V eto power-----The power of the US President to unilaterally stop an official action,especially enactment of a piece of legislation.15.Party platform-----A party platform, also known as a manifesto, is a list of the actions whicha political party supports in order to appeal to the general public for the purpose of havingsaid party's candidates voted into office. This often takes the form of a list of support for, or opposition to, controversial topics. Individual topics are often called planks of the platform. 16.Federalism-----Federalism means the division of powers by a constitution between the centralgovernment and state government. It operates only on two levels, the national and the state.Units of government within a state enjoy no independent existence.17.The black death-----It was a disease or plague spread by rat fleas in 14th century. It spreadthrough Europe in the middle of the 14th century and reached England in the summer of 1348.Many people died and the population of England shrank. It caused labor shortage and other social problems.18.The Hundred Years’ War-----It refers to the war between France and England that lasted formore than 100 years (1337-1467). The causes were partly territorial and partly economic.After three stages of the war, the English were driven out of France with only Calais in hand.The ending of war is regarded as a blessing for both countries.19.Thanksgiving Day-----it is an annul one-day holiday to give thanks at the conclusion of theharvest season. The United States celebrates Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November.20.Townshend Acts of 1767-----The Townshend Acts were a series of acts passed beginning in1767 by the Parliament of Great Britain relating to the British colonies in North America. The acts are named for Charles Townshend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who proposed the program.The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland21.The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle-----The first official history of England started by Alfred theGreat.22.The Domesday Book-----A detailed record (1086) of all the wealth of England including allland and property, every mill and cottage, every cow and pig. It also records the rights and duties of every landowner and every court.23.The Westminster Abby-----An abby built by Edward the Confessor and later most of theBritish kings and queens have been crown here and many of them have been buries here.There is also a poets’ corner where many British men of letters are buried.mon Law-----(also known as case law or precedent), is law developed by judgesthrough decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action. A "common law system" is a legal system that gives great precedential weight to common law, on the principle that it is unfair to treat similar facts differently on different occasions.25.Magna Carta-----A feudal charter of liberties issued at Runnymede by King John underthe coercion of the barons and a group of church men under Langton. The charter attempted to protect the rights of the barony against encroachment by the royal prerogative.26.Utopia-----A political and philosophical treatise by Sir Thomas More, in the form of anaccount of an imaginary, newly discovered country.27.Renaissance-----The word was first used by Italian scholars in mid-16th C to express therediscovery of ancient Roman and Greek culture, which was now studied for its own sake and not used merely to enhance the authority of the Church.28.Puritan-----A member of a Protestant Movement in England in 16th and 17thCenturies, which sought to purify worship in the Church of England by excluding everything for which authority could not be found in the Bible.29.Glorious Revolution------also called the Revolution of 1688, was the overthrow of KingJames II of England by a union of Parliamentarians with an invading army led by William of Orange who, as a result, ascended the English throne as William III of England. The resultant Bill of Right (1689) marked the ascendancy of parliamentary authority over the divine right that had been claimed by the Stuarts. This marked the real beginning of the constitutional monarchy in England.30.Renaissance-----cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century,beginning in Florence in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. As a cultural movement, it encompassed a resurgence of learning based on classical sources, the development of linear perspective in painting, and gradual but widespread educational reform.Traditionally, this intellectual transformation has resulted in the Renaissance being viewed asa bridge between the Middle Ages and the Modern era.。
英美概况名词解释部分期末考重点
英美概况名词解释部分期末考重点Melting pot(大熔炉):It meant that as immigrants from different regions and cultures came to live in the United States,their old ways of life melt away and they became part of the American culture.CIA(中央情报局)：the Central Intelligence AgencyPilgrims(朝圣者)：It refers to the first Anglo-Saxon Protestants immigrated into North America.Beat Generation(垮掉一代)：A group of dissatisfied American writers of the 1950s,started to expressed their opposition,rejected the traditional mainstream thought based on Anglo-Saxon culture and started the counterculture.Vice president(副总统)：He is the second-highest executive officical of the government,he does not cast his ballot unless the vote is tired.Freedom of speech(言论自由)：you can say whatever you wantWTO（世界贸易组织）：world trade organization.The basis of American culture（美国文化基础）1.p ursuit of freedom and equality.2.p rinciple of democracy.3.t he emphsis on education.4.l ove of nature and landcapes.5.T he desire to possess land.6.d ash and darling in making experiment.and the American Ethnic Group(美国种族)The United States is a nation of over 100 ethnic groups.1.w hite people:The majority of Americans are white people who account for about 78% of the total US population.2.b lack people:about 35 millon in 2000,account for about 12% of the total US population.3.t he Hispanics:It is estimated that there are 28 million Hispanics who make up about 10% of the total population.4.t he Chinese-Americans:There are about 28million Chinese immigrants and their descendants living in the US today.5.J ewish-Americans:Today there are more than 6 million Jews in American,accounting for more that 2% the US population.. American Congress（美国国会）:Congress is composed of two chambers the senate and the House of representatives.The House（参议院）:It has 435 members.The House has some exclusive that it does not share with the senate.Thses include the impeachment power and the initiation of revenue bills.Congress men must be at least 25 years old and over.The Senate（众议院）:The Senate comprises 100 Senators,two from each of the fifty states.The term of office is six years.A senator must be at least thirty years of age and citizen of the US for 9 years.Political paries（政党）:Amerecan politics is based on two-party system two major political parties are the Democratic party andthe Republican party.The Democratic party:1.It was found in the 1790s.2.The symbol is donkey.3.It is more liberal.4.It is active in providing social services and economic help to be the disadvantaged,such as the poor,the unemployed andold.The Republican Party（共和党）:1.It was found in 1854.2.The symbol is an elephant.3.It is more conservative.4.Most believe in supply-side economics,and place emphasis on priate enterprise often accuse the Democrats of making the government too expensive and of creating too many lathews that harm individual initiative. 美国国会的职能Functions of congress1.to make law2.to levy and collect taxes3.to coin money and regulate its value4.to provide for common defense5.to promote the pursuit of libertyThe powers of president 美国总统的权利1．the propose legislation to the Congress 2．to vote any bill passed by Congress3．to appoint federal judges and senior officials of the government4．to issue regulations and directives简要论述美国经济迅速增长的几个因数：The fast growth of the American economy has been contributable to many factors:1>The geographical location of the U.S.provides very good conditions for the country to grow and become strong.2>the U.S has been by being a land rich in mineral resources and fertile farm soil, together with a moderate climate.3>American has been fortunate in having enough people to provide the labor necessary for a constantly expanding economy.4>The U.S has a skillful and willing labor force. TheAmerican labor force is not only hard-working ,but also willing to experiment, to change and tolearn new technology.Contribution Factors to Am EconomyMany factors have contributed to the development of American industries1.The vast territory and natural resources2.The endless streams of immigrants3.New ideas, news skills new cultures brought by immigrants4. The privilege of immunity from foreign aggression.5.The US foreign policy: protectionism isolationism6. The united states was never hampered by shackles of old conventions7. The influence of puritanism freedom of migration continuity of major policies.。
英美概况考试名词解释
1.the House of LordsThe house of Lords consists of Lords Spiritual,who are the Archbishops and most prominent bishops of the church of England ;and the Lords Temporal,which refers to those Lords who either have inherited the seat from their forefathers or they have been appointed .The Lords mainly represent themselves instead of the interests of the public.2. The house of CommonsThe House of commons is the real center of British political life because it is the place where about 650 elected representatives(Members of Parliament) make and debate the policy.These MPs are elected in the General Elections and should represent the interests of the people who vote of them.3.The Constitution(of the UK)Britain has no written Consitution.The foundations of the British state are laid out in satute law,which are laws passed by Parliament;the common laws,which are laws established through common practice in the courts;and conventions.4.The functions of ParliamentTo pass laws,to vote for taxation,to scrutinize government poliy ,administration and expenditure and to debate the major issuses of day.prhensive SchoolComprhensive School are the most popular secondary schools in Britain today,such schools admit children without reference to their academic abilities and provide a general education.Pupils can study everything from academic subjects like literature to more practical subjects like working. 6.Grammer schoolGrammar School is a type of secondaryschools in Britain.Grammer schools elect children at the age of 11 through an examination called “the 11-plus”.Those children with the highest marks go to Grammer schools.These schools lay emphasis on advanced academic subjects rather than the more general curriculum of the comprehensive schools and expect many of their pupils to go on to universities.7.the making of Britain’s foreign policyThe general direction of Britain’s foreign policy is maily decided by the Prime Minister and Cabinet . The Foreign and Commonwealth Office,the main government department,plays a significant role in the making of Britain’s foreign policy.Many other government minisities such as the Ministry of Defence al so play a part in formulating and carrying out the government’s decisions .But an extremely influential palyer in Britain’s for eign policy is the Treasury.The Treasury makes decisions on how much money other departments can have each year.8．The foundations of British foreign policyThe contemporary foreign policy of theUK is greatly influenced by its imperial history and also by its geopolitical traits.As Britain lost its empire so recently,British policy-makers frequently forget that Britain is not as influential as it used to be in world affairs.Another decisive influence upon the way Britain handle its external affairs is geopolitical attitude to Europe.9、the commonwealthIn the author’s option, the commonwealth is a voluntary associati on of states which is made up mostly of former British colonies. There are 50 members of the commonwealth: many of these are developing countries like India and Cyprus; others are developed nations like Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The commonwealth was set up as a form for continued cooperation and as asort of support net work.10、Britain an the EUBritain joined the European Economic Community in 1973 which is now called the EU. Britain participation in the EU remains controversial. At the center of the controversy is the fact that it is not clear about what the EU is and what it will become. The UK has always been interested in encouraging free trade between countries and is therefore very supportive of the UE as a free trade area. Britain likes to regard the EU as a place where economic cooperation is possible and where a flow of trained personnel and goods are possible. But Britain has always been less enthusiastic about giving up its national sovereignty to a European government.11、The three traditions of Christmas in BritainThere are three Christmas traditions which are particulary British. One is the Christmas Pantomime, a comical play. The main made character is played by a young woman which the main female character, often an ugly woman called” the pame” is played by a man. Awother British Christmas tradition is to hear the Qween give her Christmas message to her realm over the television and radio. A third British tradition is boxing pay, which falls on the day after Christmas. Traditionally, it was on Boxing Pay that people gave Christmas gift or money to their staff or servants. Now that most British people do not have servants, this custom is not longer observed. However, a new Boxing Pay stock decorations, food., cards, and gift items at low prices.12、Cricket and “fair play”Cricket was one of the very first team sports in Britain to have organized rules and to be played according to the same rules nationally. The reason that fixed rules were applied to cricket so early on was a financial one: aristocrats loved betting on cricket matches and if people were going to risk money on a game, they wanted to ensure that the game world be played fairly. In British people from all walks of lift play cricket, but in the 19th century, cricket was a sport played mainly by the upper classes. It was a kind of a “snob” game played by boys who attended public schools. As generations of public school boys grew up to become the civil servants and rulers of the UK and its colonies cricket becam e associated with a set of moral values, in particular the idea of “fair play” without supposedly characterized British government.13.the bill of rightsThe Bill of rights consists of the first 10 amendments which were added to the constitution in 1791。
英美概况期末考试名词解释整理
The industrial revolution refers to the mechanization of industry and the consequent changes in social and economic organization in Britain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Britain was the first country to industrialize.The industrial revolution A period in the late 18th and early 19th centuries when major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, production, and transportation had a profound effect on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions in Britain. The Industrial Revolution, was a period of unprecedented technological, economic and social change that completely transformed British culture from a largely rural, static society with limited production and division of labour into the world's first modern industrial society.the Black DeathIt was the deadly bubonic plague who spread through Europe in the 14th century. It swept through England without warning and any cure, and sparing no victims. It killed between half and one-third of the population of England. Thus, much land was left untended and labor was short. It caused far-reaching economic consequences.The Black Death----It was one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, peaking in Europe between 1348 and 1350. It is widely thought to have been an outbreak of bubonic plague caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestisis and have started in Central Asia. It came without warning, and without any cue.The Black Death is estimated to have killed30% to 60% of Europe's population and had profound effects on the course of European history. In England, it killed almost half of the total population, causing far-reaching economic consequences.the Progressive MovementThe Progressive Movement is a movement demanding government regulation of the economy and social conditions. It spread quickly with the support of large numbers of people across the country. It was not an organized campaign with clearly defined goals.(Rather, it was a number of diverse efforts at political, social, and economic reforms. In spite of limitations of the movement, it brought about changes and improvement in many fields.)Roman Britain was the part of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire between AD 43 and about 410. Britannia already had cultural and economic links with Continental Europe, but the invaders introduced new developments in agriculture, urbanisation, industry and architecture, leaving a legacy that is still apparent today. The first Romans to campaign extensively in Britain werethe forces of Julius Caesar in 55 and 54 BC, but the first significant conquest did not begin until AD 43, under Claudius.House of commonsI.House of CommonsCompositions:The House of Commons: The House of Commons is the real center of British p(651 in num.) from England (524), Wales(38), Scotland(72) and N Ireland(17)Functions: a, law passageb, authorizing taxation and public expenditurec, examining government action d. debateFeatures: a. electoral system (general election)b. general election by secret ballotc. party member elected to form a majority partyd. PM out of the majority, cabinet and shadow cabinetolitical life because it is the place where about 650 elected representatives (Members of Parliament) make and debate policy. These MPs are elected in the General Elections and should represent the interests of the people who vote for them. Manifest destiny Manifest Destiny , which conveyed the idea that the rightful destiny of the United States was included to make an empire.Manifest Destiny:a. inevitability of the founding of USAb. legitimacy of the expansion of American Territoryc. spread of American democracy being the task of American people who were chosen to do the Lord’s workContainment policy Containment was a United States policy to prevent the spread of communism abroad. A component of the Cold War, this policy was a response to a series of moves by the Soviet Union to enlarge communist influence in Eastern Europe, China,Korea, Africa, and Vietnam. It represented a middle-ground position between appeasement and rollback.Containment(1946); “ a long term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies.”The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German DemocraticRepublic (GDR) starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin.The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, which circumscribed a wide area ("death strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches and other defences.The Cold War (1947–1991) was the continuing state of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition existing after World War II (1939–1945), primarily between the Soviet Union and its satellite states, and the powers of the Western world, particularly the United States. Although the primary participants' military force never officially clashed directly, they expressed the conflict through military coalitions, strategic conventional force deployments, extensive aid to states deemed vulnerable, proxy wars, espionage, propaganda, conventional and nuclear arms races, appeals to neutral nations, rivalry at sports events, and technological competitionsCold War InfluencePoliticalWASP; military superpower from 1979Economic: economic recession; slow income risingSocial: new conservatism(middle class); rebuilding of American military strengthW The Cold War, often dated from 1947 to 1991, was a sustained state of political and military tension between powers in theWestern Bloc, dominated by the United States with NATO among its allies, and powers in the Eastern Bloc, dominated by theSoviet Union along with the Warsaw Pact. This began after the success of their temporary wartime alliance against Nazi Germany, leaving the USSR and the US as two superpowers with profound economic and political differences. A neutral faction arose with the Non-Aligned Movement founded by Egypt, India, and Yugoslavia; this faction rejected association with either the US-led West or the Soviet-led East.The Berlin Wall(German: Berliner Mauer) was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR,East Germany) starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off (by land) West Berlin from surrounding EastGermany and from East Berlin.[1] The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls,[2] which circumscribed a wide area (later known as the "death strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches, "fakir beds" and other defenses. The Eastern Bloc claimed that the wall was erected to protect its population from fascist elements conspiring to prevent the "will of the people" in building a socialist state in East Germany. In practice, the Wall served to prevent the massive emigration and defection that marked Germany and the communist Eastern Bloc during the post-World War II period.The Berlin Wall was officially referred to as the "Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart"(German: Antifaschistischer Schutzwall) by GDR authorities, implying that neighbouring West Germany had not been fully de-Nazified.[3] The West Berlin city government sometimes referred to it as the "Wall of Shame"—a term coined by mayor Willy Brandt—while condemning the Wall's restriction on freedom of movement. Along with the separate and much longerInner German border (IGB) that demarcated the border between East and West Germany, both borders came to symbolize the "Iron Curtain" that separated Western Europe and the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War. Before the Wall's erection, 3.5 million East Germans circumvented Eastern Bloc emigration restrictions and defected from the GDR, many by crossing over the border from East Berlin into West Berlin, from where they could then travel to West Germany and other Western European countries. Between 1961 and 1989, the wall prevented almost all such emigration.[4] During this period, around 5,000 people attempted to escape over the wall, with an estimated death toll of over 600.In 1989, a series of radical political changes occurred in the Eastern Bloc, associated with the liberalizationof the Eastern Bloc's authoritarian systems and the erosion of political power in the pro-Soviet governments in nearby Poland and Hungary. After several weeks of civil unrest, the East German government announced on 9 November 1989 that all GDR citizens could visit West Germany and West Berlin. Crowds of East Germans crossed and climbed onto the wall, joined by West Germans on the other side in a celebratory atmosphere. Over the next few weeks, a euphoric public and souvenir hunters chipped away parts of the wall; the governments later used industrial equipment to remove most of the rest. The physical Wall itself was primarily destroyed in 1990. The fall of the Berlin Wall paved the way for German reunification, which was formally concluded on 3 October 1990.。
英美概况名词解释
Survey of English-speaking Countries20 important Terms1.Magna Carta;: It’s also called the Great Charter .In the year of 1215, king john signed the Magna Carta. According to it, the king can’t freely change the law,the king can’t freely tax, and if the king violates the Magna Carta,the vassals may rebel by the civil war. It’s a feudal charter, but it gave the people trade freedom and self government.2.Religious Reformation: It’s also called the Protestantism.It starts from Martin Luther’s bravely attacks on the Roman Catholic Church’s religious dogma in 1517. Then a movement against the Roman Catholic Church arose in the European Continent during the sixteenth century, that is Religious Reformation.3.War of Roses; the name Wars of the Roses was refer to the battles between the House of Lancaster, symbolized by the read rose, and that of York, symbolized by the white, from 1455 to 1485. Henry Tudor, descendant of Duke of Lancaster won victory at Bosworth Fireld in 1485 and put ht country under the rule of the Tudors. From these Wars, English feudalism received its death blow. The great medieval nobility was much weakened.4.The Elizabethan Age; The Elizabethan Age was characterized by wars, rebellions, personal and party strife, and intense competition. However , there was a solid foundation under the British nation and society that produced the literature, music, architecture, science, wealth and victories that also characterized the Elizabethan Age.5.Supply-side Economics; Supply-side Economics developed during the 1970s in response to Keynesian economic policy, and in particular the failure of demand management to stabilize Western economies during the stagflation of the 1970s, in the wake of the oil crisis in 1973.6.Wealth of Nations;It’s a book published by Adam Smith in 1776.The book offers one of the world's first collected descriptions of what builds nations' wealth and is today a fundamental work in classical economics. Through reflection over the economics at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution the book touches upon broad topics as the division of labour, productivity and free markets.7.Industrial Revolution; The Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes that occurred in the period from about 1760 to some time between 1820 and 1840. This transition included going from hand production methods to machines, new chemical manufacturing and iron production processes, improved efficiency of water power, the increasing use of steam power and development of machine tools. The transition also included the change from wood and other bio-fuels to coal. The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain and within a few decades had spread to Western Europe and the UnitedStates.8.WASPs / American Values：A.Puritan and pioneer moralityThe world is made up of people who are good and bad, foul and fair. You are either one of the good guys or you are one of the bad guys. If you are not with us, you are against us.B.Value of the individualThe individual has rights above that of general society and government. Success occurs at the level of the individual. People should not have to fight for their rights. The government should protect the rights of the individual, not the other way around.C.Achievement and successSuccess is measured by the accumulation of power, status, wealth and property. What you already have is not as important as what you continue to accumulate. A retired wealthy person was successful, but is now less admirable.D.Change and progressChange is inevitable. Progress is good and leads to success. If you do not keep up, you will fall behind. Newer is always better. The next version will be better than the last.E.Ethical equalityAll people are equal, both spiritually and in the opportunities they deserve. This includes differences in race, gender, disability, age, sexual preference and so on.F.Effort and optimismHard work and striving is the key to success. The great American Dream of fame and fortune comes to those who work hard and never give up.G.Efficiency, practicality and pragmatismSolution is more important than ideology. Utility is more important than show. A key question to any idea is 'Will it work?'9.Declaration of Independence; is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4,1976, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were now independent states, and thus no longer a part of the British Empire.10.the Progressive Era; A strong spirit of reform swept through the US during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. This period is often called the Progressive Era, and the reformers were known as Progressives. During this period ,many problems raised by the rapid industrialization and urbanization that followed the Civil War were response by the Progressivism.（另一版本：The Progressive Era was a period of social activism and political reform in the United States that flourished from the 1890s to the 1920s.[1] One main goal of the Progressive movement was purification of government, as Progressives tried to eliminate corruption by exposing and undercutting political machines and bosses. ）11.Prohibition;is the legal act of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation and sale ofalcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the prohibition of alcohol was enforced. Use of the term as applicable to a historical period is typically applied to countries of European culture.12.The New Deal; In order to deal with the Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt put forward the New Deal program. It passed a lot of New Deal laws and set up many efficient social security systems. The New Deal helped to save American democracy and the development of American economy.13.The Marshall Plan;-that is,in order to protect western europe from possible soviet expansion,the united states decided to offer western european countries ecomomic aid.马歇尔计划，是为了保护西欧免遭苏联的扩张，美国决定提供西欧国家经济援助。
英美概况部分大题及名词解释（个人整理）
英美概况部分大题及名词解释（个人整理）Terms (American Part)The legislative branchThe Congress, known as the legislative branch, is the law-making body of the United States. The U. S. Congress includes two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.The Boston Tea PartyThe East India Company, a vital source of British wealth, was allowed to export tea to the colonies without paying any import duty. Thus the company could easily undersell the independent tea merchants who had to pay import duties, which caused colonial tea merchants’opposition. They declared “no taxation without representation”. On the night of December 16, 1773, a band of men, disguised as Indians and led by Samual Adams, boarded three British ships lying at an anchor in Boston harbor and dumped the tea cargo. This late。
r became known as “Boston Tea Party”, which finally led to the outbreak of the American Independence War.The first continental congressAfter the incident of the Boston Tea party, relations between England and colonies continued to deteriorate. In the face of such a grave situation ,colonial delegates from 12 colonies (Georgia did not send its delegates) met in Philadelphia on September 5 ,1774, “to consult upon the present unhappy state of the colonies ”. This meeting has been known as the First Continental Congress. After heated debate and repeated compromise, the First Continental Congress drew up a formal document known as Declaration of Rights and Grievances.The Emancipation ProclamationThe changed military situation prompted Lincoln to take his decisive step. He had been considering the advisability of liberating the black slaves in the South. After the Federal troops won big victories, Lincoln believed the time had come and on September 22, 1862, he issued the famous Emancipation Proclamation which would become effective on January 1, 1863. It provided that all the black slaves in the rebelling states were freed and they were welcome to join the armed forces of the union. As a result, abolition of slavery became an objective of the war in addition to the declared objective of saving the Union.The Cabinet in the United StateThe cabinet is a nucleus of leadership under the President in the administrative branch. It is made up of heads of the major departments and other persons chosen by the President. They advise the President on important problems concerning the administration of national affairs.A sheriffSheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of a county. His duties, limited to areas outside cities in the county, include collecting taxes, enforcing orders, maintaining the jail, serving legal papers, and patrolling on country highways. Most sheriffs are elected by local voters. They are usually paid through fees for each job performed rather than on a regular salary basis.Terms (The Britain Part)The Hundred Years’ WarsIt referred to the intermittent war between France and England that last from 1337 to 1453. The causes were partly territorial and partly economic. When Edward III claimed the French Crown but the French refused to recognize, the war broke out. At first the English were successful, but in the end, they weredefeated and lost almost all their possessions in France. The expelling of the English was a blessing for both countries.The Black DeathBlack Death swept through England in the summer of 1348. It killed between 1/2 and 1/3 of the population of England.As a result of the plague, much land was left untended and there was a terrible shortage of labor.Villeins struggled for freedom, but the parliament passed “statutes of laborers”, which provided ideological preparation for the labor movement.The War of the roses1. Rival groups:the House of Lancaster & the House of York2. The name of the war:The Lancastrians wore the badge of the red rose and the Yorkists wore the badge of the white rose, so the war got such a name.3. Nature of the war:Feudal civil war, for power and wealth, for the possession of the Crown4. Reason:In the Hund red Years’War, the loss was great. So the war-like nobles wanted to recoup 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 House of Lancaster.5. Result:The Yorkist got complete victory, but a third House, theHouse of Tudor got the power. Henry VII became the king. So a new important Dynasty began in English history.6. ConsequenceAlthough the Wars 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 king’s power now became supreme. This war shook off much of the feudal burden, so it paved way for the development of capitalism.Elizabeth IOne of the greatest monarchs in British history. She reigned England, Wales and Ireland for 45 years and remained single. Her reign was a time of confident English nationalism and of great achievements in literature and other arts, in exploration and in battle.1. Her attitude toward Catholic Church and Protestantsa.Finished establishing the Church of Englandb.Defender of faith in England/doc/d078fea4f524ccbff1218466.html mon Prayer Book and the English selection of the Bookd.Appointed Clergyman and bishops2. Her policy with Spaina. She encouraged English adventurers to make explorations in America and Africa1.Explorers: Drale; Raleigh; Hawkins2.East Indian Companyb. A war with Armada—the Invincible Fleetc.Elizabeth was the foundation layer of the English EmpireThe juryA legal system established in England since king Henry II. Thejury consists of ordinary, independent citizens summoned by the court: 12 persons in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 15 persons in Scotland. In criminal trials by jury, the judge passes sentence but the jury decide the issue of guilt or innocence.Public SchoolsFee- paying secondary schools which are long established and have gained a reputation for their high academic standards, as well as their exclusiveness and snobbery. The boys’ public schools include such well-known schools as Eton and Harrow, and girls’ famous schools include Roedean. Most of the members of the British Establishment were educated at a public school.Questions (The American Part)1. What are American’s particular conditions which complicate the class structure in the United States?First, America is the world’s richest industrial country where even common workers have rich and good life.Secondly, the many different ethnic groups and long-standing racial discrimination often obsure the fact that not all the rich people are white people and not all the blacks are poor.Thirdly, most of the middle-class Americans, despite their high income and comfortable life, are also ”workers”, or white-collar workers.Fourthly, American society is said to be a “fluid”or “mobile”society in which people change their positions frequently and few privileged households can hold their privileged positions for generations.Fifthly, many Americans, about 50 million, are shareholders of different kinds. And most farmers are the owners of large farms. They might occasionally employ farm laborers , but theydo not make up the exploiting class.Lastly, the meaning of the “affluent”, “privileged”, “under-privileged”has changed a lot because the standard of living is relative.2. Describe roughly the regional differences in weather and climate in the United States.The Atlantic Seacoast and the Appalachian Mountains in the east; the great Mississippi River Basin in the middle, and the Rockies west to the Pacific Oceans. These three areas are rough divisions, with each having its own diversity in geography.1. The Atlantic Seacoast and the Appalachian Mountains*the Atlantic Seacoast a coastal plain*the first settlement for the early immigrants*known as the tide-water region*have all kinds of farms*on the west side is the Fall Line2. The Great Mississippi River Basin*the larges area walled in by the Appalachian Mountains on the east and the Rocky Mountains on the west*the north of it reaches the border of Canada ，the south it borders on the Gulf ofMexico*the “Barn of America” becau se it is large and has rich soil3. The Rockies West to the Pacific Ocean*to the west of the Mississippi River Basin are the Rocky Mountains*high, sharp and rugged*often capped with snow. The whole tremendous system of the Rockies includes many mountain ranges*to the west are the Sierra Nevada Mountains and theCascade Mountains It can be concluded that America has varied geographical features with large mountains, round-topped hills, big plains, dry deserts and low basins.3. How was the second English colony----Massachusetts established?In September, 1620, a group of 102 puritans known as Pilgrim Fathers left Plymouth, England, and sailed for America in the ship named mayflower, in order to seek freedom of religion. The Pilgrim Fathers suffered terrible hardships and some survived. On the last Thursday in November of 1621, they celebrated their first Thanksgiving Day with a feast to thank God for their protection. They founded their first settlement which was named Plymouth. It was in present-day Massachusetts.4. Describe roughly the contributing factors to Lincoln’s population.There are many contributing factors to Lincoln’s popularity. His personal experience embodied the American belief (dream) that everyone could become rich, successful and famous through his own efforts.He managed to learn knowledge by reading books. He studied law and later became a lawyer. He ran many campaigns until he became the U.S. President.He was also admired by common Americans for his excellent character. He was a frontiersman who had to rough it out for survival and self-fulfillment.(As a frontiersman, he cultivated his honesty and candidness.)He was a patient man and he advocated tolerance.He was an advocate of forgiveness. He appealed to Americans to forgive the rebels.He devoted himself to his duty whole-heartedly.In addition to his brave and glorious Emancipation Proclamation, He is also remembered for his famous Gettysburg Address which is still cherished by Americans.Lincoln’s greatest contrib ution to the United States was that he saved the Union.5. Describe roughly the powers of the U.S. President.The executive branch, also known as the Administration, is headed by the President who is also head of state.The U.S. President is commanded by the Constitution to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States”and to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed.”He can issue rules, regulations and instructions whi ch, known as executive orders, have the binding force of laws upon federal agencies. He is Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the United States and has the power to raise, train, supervise, and deploy American armed forces, provided Congress shows no disagreement.The President is to supervise and direct the work of the people whose job is to takecare of the day-to-day enforcement of the federal laws .The President appoints the heads of these departments and agencies and other high-ranking federal officials with the approval of the Senate. They are responsible to the President and report to him on their work. The President may ask any of them to resign if he wants to do so.The President controls American foreign policy .Final decisions on important problems are always made by the President.The President plays an important role in making laws for the nation. All the bills passed by Congress must be signed by thePresident before becoming laws. If the President does not like a certain bill, he can veto it by refusing to sign it and return it back to Congress. Only the consensus of two-thirds of the members in both houses can override the veto.The President checks the judicial branch which is known as the Supreme Court of the United States. The President has the power to pardon anyone who has been convicted of violating Federal laws.Questions (The Briton Part)1. What were the contents and the significance of the Great Charter?ContentA. 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. should 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.Significance:A. It granted to the towns people freedom of trade and self-government.B. The merchants and craftsmen in England appeared for the first time as a new political force.C. The basic mass of peasantry, who constituted five-sixths of the population, was not taken into consideration.2. What do you know about the English Renaissance?DefinitionRenaissance means rebirth—Europe rediscovering its origins in the cultures of ancient Greek and Rome. It began in the lastdecade of 15th century & reaching its height in the first 15 years of 16th century. It was a cultural movement that rose with the bourgeoisie.Humanists—The thinkers who worked for freedom and enlightenment were called Humanists. The great English humanist was Thomas More, who wrote his masterpiece “Utopia”.Renaissance was the revival of classical literature and artistic styles in European history. It began in Italy in the early 14th century and spread to England in the late 15th century. The English Renaissance had 5 characteristics: (1) English culture was revitalized not so much directly by the classics as by contemporary Europeans under the influence of the classics; (2) England as an insular country followed a course of social and political history which was to a great extent independent of the course of history else where in Europe; (3) Owning to the great genius of the 14th century poet Chaucer, the nativeliterature was vigorous enough and experienced in assimilating foreign influences without being subjected by them;(4) English Renaissance literature is chiefly artistic, rather than philosophical and scholarly; (5) the Renaissance coincided with the Reformation in England.The English Renaissance was largely literary, and achieved its finest expression in the so-called Elizabethan drama. Its finest exponents were Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and William Shakespeare.3. How did the “Glorious Revolution” break out? What was the significance of it?In 1685 Charles II died and was succeeded by his brother James II. James, who was brought up in exile in Europe, was aCatholic; He hoped to rule without giving up his personal religious views. But England was no more tolerant of a Catholic king in 1688 than 40 years. So the English politicians rejected James II, and appealed to a Protestant king, William of Orange, to invade and take the English throne. William landed in England in 1688. The takeover was relatively smooth, with no bloodshed, no any execution of the king. This was known as the Glorious Revolution. William and his wife Mary were both protestants and became co-monarchs. They accepted the Bill o f Rights. It’s the beginning of the age of constitutional monarchy.4. What is your comment on land enclosure in England?DefinitionAt the end of the 15th century, the manufacture of woolen cloth in England became an important source of wealth and a major export. The cloth industry increased the value of wool. Raising sheep became more profitable. This encouraged the landlords to convert arable land into pastures. Later some of the nobility and merchants started to enclose the land. Large areas of land were fenced without any warning to the peasants. This process was known as Enclosure Movement.The results of Enclosure MovementA. The primitive accumulation of capitalB. The continuation of the supply of cheap laborThese two factors paved the way for the development of capitalism.5. What is constitutional monarchy? When did it begin in Briton? What is the role of the Monarchy in the Briton government?A constitutional monarchy is a governmental system in which the head of State is a king or a queen who reigns but does notrule. The country is namely reigned by the Sovereign, but virtually by His or Her Majesty’s Government —— a body of Ministers who are the leading members of whichever political party the electorate has voted into office, and who are responsible to Parliament.The Constitutional Monarchy in Britain began in 1689, when king William and Queen Mary jointly accepted the Bill of Rights, which guaranteed free speech within both the House of Lords and the House of Commons and constitutional monarchy, of a monarchy with power limited by Parliament began.The sovereign is the symbol of the whole nation. In law, he/she is head of the executive, an integral part of the legislature, head of the judiciary, the commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of the crown and the “supreme governor” of the established church of England.。
英美概况名词解释-史上最全哦
英国部分1.The Thames River2.The High Landers3.The British Commonwealth 英联邦4.Cockney伦敦佬5.Eisteddfodau6.The Maritime Climate 海洋性气候7.The English Channel8.The Chunnel英吉利海峡隧道9.“pea soup”fogs伦敦雾10.British isles11.Stonehenge: 巨石阵12.Thomas becket:托马斯13.Geoffrey Chaucer14.Joan of arc:圣女贞德15.lollards:罗拉德派16.The Puritans清教徒17.Julius Caesar18.The Hardrian's Wall 哈德连长城19.Heptarchy七王国21.Witan 贤人会议22.Alfred the Great 豆瓣23.William the Conqueror 威廉征服24.The battle of Hastings25.The Danelaw 施行丹麦法的地区26.Norman Conquest 诺曼征服27.Domesday Book 英国国王1806年颁的土地调查清册28.The Black Death黑死病29.the divine rights of kings君权神授30.The Wars of Roses玫瑰战争(考过)31.the Spanish Armada:西班牙无敌舰队32.The Glorious Revolution of 1688光荣革命33.The Gunpowder Plot of 1605火药阴谋案34.Blood Mary血腥玛丽35.rotten boroughs衰败选区36.Mrs Pankhurst潘克赫斯特太太是女权的主要倡导者之一。
37.the league of nations国际联盟38.the blitz闪电战39.the beatles甲克虫乐队40.Thatcherism撒切尔主义41.balance of payments收支平衡42.john Maynard Keynes43.visible trade and invisible trade44.European union欧盟45.Monetarist policies(货币主义政策)46.The Trade Union Act of 1871工会法47.Agribusiness农业产业48.British disease英国病49.Constitutional monarchy君主立宪制50.Privy Council枢密院mon law公共法52.the state opening of parliament53.The Civil list 英国王室费(考过)54.the civil service公务员(考过)55.life peer终身贵族56.acquittal无罪裁决57.cross-examination58.The Crown Court刑事法庭59.probation缓刑60.capital punishment死刑61.the metropolitan police force62.The National Health Service英国国民保健制度63.national insurance 社会保险64.general practitioner(GP)65.social worker66.the salvation armyprehensive schools68.Reuters 路透社69.grant-maintained(GM)Schools有公费保证的学校70.eleven-plus(升学考试)71.BBC72.Rupert murdoch73.the british museum74.Pilgrims Thanksgiving DayIreland(爱尔兰)美国部分1.Amerigo Vespucci2.the Mississippi3.Hispanics4.W ASPS5.baby boom6.the great lakes7.Ellis island8."the great compromise"9.the Emancipation Proclamation10.no taxtation without representation11.the Chinese Exclution Act12.Indentured servants13.boston tea party(考过)14.continental divide15.federalists16.the gettysburg address17.the ku klux klan18.muckrakers黑幕揭发者19.intolerant nationalism20.the red scare21.the progressive movement22.overload23.The New Deal24.the truman doctrine25.the marshall plan26.the smith act27.the civil rights act of 196428.the poverty line29.poverty30.monopoly31.oligopoly32 checks and balances33.winner-take-all34. the free enterprise system35. the federal system36.separation of powers37. private school38.school district39. global education40. poor richard's almanac41.transcendentalism42. jazz43.knickerbockers era44. father's day45.mother's day46. congressional medal of honor47.UNICEF48. Great Canyon49. New England50.Hispanic Americans51. Chicanos52.Puerto Ricans53.Federalist Papers54.The First Continental Congress55.Manifest Destiny56.The Black Thursday57.New Frontier58.Port Huron Statement59.NOW60.Counterculture61.American Corn Belt62。
完整word版英美概况名词解释复习范围兼答案
英语国家概况名词解释复习范围1.Puritanism : the beliefs and practices characteristic of Puritans (most of whom were Calvinists who wished to purify the Church of England of its Catholic aspects) and that self-control and hard work are important and that pleasure is wrong or unnecessary2. The Declaration of Independence: is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were now independent states, and thus no longer a part of the British Empire.3. George Washington: served as the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797 and as the commander of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783. Because of his significant role in the revolution and in the formation of the United States, he is highly revered by Americans as the Father of Our Country.4. WASP: stands for White Anglo-Saxon Protestant. It is an informal term used in the United States and Canada[1] in reference to an ethnic elite with high social status and presumed power.5. Three Faiths in the US: Americans were considered to come in 3 basic varieties : Protestant,Catholic and Jewish,the order reflecting the strength in numbers of each group.6. Religious liberty in the US: freedom of religion is a constitutionally guaranteed right provided in the religion clauses of the First Amendment. Freedom of religion is also closely associated with separation of church and state7. The “Lost Generation”: in the aftermath of ww1,many novelists produced a literature of disillusionment.Some lived abroad and known as the lost generation.8.Hemingway : one of the great US writers of the 20th century, who won the Nobel prize for literature in 1954. He wrote many novels and short stories in a simple and direct style, and his books are often about typically male activities like war and hunting. His novels include A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and The Old Man and the Sea. He died by shooting himself.9. High education in the US :10 The civil rights movement : refers to the movements in the United States aimed at outlawing racial discrimination against African Americans and restoring Suffrage in Southern states.11. Martin Luther King.Jr. : United States charismatic civil rights leader and Baptist minister who campaigned against the segregation of Blacks (1929-1968)12. The House of Lords and Commons in the UK : British Parliament has two parts: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Lords is made up of the Lords Spiritual and the Lords Temporal. the House of Commons, whose members are each elected to represent a particular official area of the country, or its members or the place where it meets13. Romanticism : a movement in literature and art during the late 18th and early 19th centuries that celebrated nature rather than civilization; Romanticism valued imagination and emotion over rationalityepresentative persons include keats,byron and shelley.14. Shakespeare : English playwright and poet whose body of works is considered the greatest in English literature. His plays, include the famous four comedies and four tragedies.15. the British Commonwealth : is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states. All but two of these countries were formerly part of the British Empire.16. Terra Nullius : in Australia, the legal idea that when the first Europeans arrived in Australiathe land was owned by no one and therefore they were free to live there.washington and westminster as britain and: form policy in Australia ”Washminster“The 17.american political system.based on a federation of states and has a three-tier system of government but the chief executive is a prime minister.18. The Bloc Quebecois: a coalition of MPs from the main French-speaking province of Quebec who were dedicated to the task of winning important concessions from the rest of Canada.19. the Cold War (1947–1991) was the continuing state of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition existing after World War II, primarily between the Soviet Union and its satellite states, and the powers of the Western world, particularly the United States.20. Unilateralism (the US) : Unilateralism is used to refer to a policy in which one country or group involved in a situation takes a decision or action on its own, without the agreement of the other countries or groups involved.20. London : the capital and largest city of England,the country's governmental, financial and and cultural center.21. Percy Bysshe Shelley : was one of the major English Romantic poets and is critically regarded among the finest lyric poets in the English language. Ode to the West Wind”22. the relationship between the UK and the US: close during and after ww2,and today agree on many issues…23. the Great Barrier Reef : is the world's largest reef system, stretching for over 2,000 kilometres along the coast of Queensland in north-east Australia.24. the Dreaming (Australia) : the most enduring religion in Australia ,is over 10,000 years old.25. James Joyce : Irish ,was one of the greatest writers in the twentieth century, whose worksand“stream of consciousness”had an important effect on the whole world.。
英美概况名词解释和大题（精选5篇）
英美概况名词解释和大题（精选5篇）第一篇：英美概况名词解释和大题III.Explain the following terms.4.The Bill of Rights 《权利法案》In 1789, James Madison introduced in the House of Representatives a series of amendments which later were drafted into twelve proposed amendments and sent to the states for ratification.Ten of them were ratified in 1791 and the first ten amendments to the constitution were called the Bills of Rights because they were to insure individual liberties.5.The Emancipation Proclamation 《奴隶解放宣言》After the Civil war began, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to win more support at home and abroad.It granted freedom to all slaves in areas still controlled by the Confederacy.6.The Constitutional Convention 《制宪会议》In 1787, a conference was held in Philadelphia to consider what should be done to make the Articles of Confederation adequate.All the delegates agreed to revise the Articles of Confederation and draw up a new plan of government.After struggle, the Constitution was ratified at last.This conference is called the Constitutional Convention.7.The Truman Doctrine 《杜鲁门主义》On March 12, 1949, President Truman put forward the Truman Doctrine in a speech to the joint session of Congress.The Truman Doctrine meant to say that the ernment would support any country which said it was fighting against Communism.8.The Marshall Plan 《马歇尔计划》On June 5, 1947, the Secretary of State George Marshall announced the Marshall Plan, which meant that in order to protect Western Europe from possible Soviet expansion, theUnited States decided to offer Western European countries economic aid.9.Checks and balances:The government is divided into three branches, the legislative, the executive and the judicial, each has part of the powers but not all the power.And each branch of government can check, or block, the actions of the other branches.The three branches are thus in balance.This called “checks and balances”.10.The New Deal 《新政》In order to deal with the Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt put forward the New Deal program.It passed a lot of New Deal laws and set up many efficient social security systems.The New Deal helped to save American democracy and the development of American economy.The Declaration of Independence: The Declaration of Independence was mainly drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776, when the people of 13 English colonies in North America were fighting for their freedom and independence from the British colonial rule.The document declared that all men were equal and that they were entitled to have some unalienable rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.It also explained the philosophy of government: the powers of governments came from the consent of the governed and the purpose of governments were to secure the rights mentioned above.The theory of politics and the guiding principles of the American Revolution mainly came from John Locke.The Articles of Confederation 《联邦条例》: After the War of Independence was won, the new nation of the United States was organized under the agreement of the Articles of Confederation with a weak national government called the Congress.Each state had its own government, made its own laws and handled its internalaffairs.The states did not cooperate with the Congress and with each other.The Congress had no power to force any state to contribute money to the national government and the Congress could not tax any citizen either.As a result, the Articles of Confederation failed.The Civil Rights Movement: It is one of the most important of all social movements in the 1960s in America.Rosa Parks’ spontaneous action in 1955 was believe d to be the true beginning of the civil right, s movement.The black students’ sit-in at a department lunch counter in North Carolina touched off the nationwide civil right movement.During the first half of the decade, civil rights organizations like SNCC, CORE, and SCLC struggled for racial integration by providing leadership, tactics, network and the people.In the later half of the decade, some black organizations changed their nonviolent tactics, and emphasized on more radical means to end discrimination and raised the self-image of the blacks.The civil rights movement produced such great leaders as Martin Luther King.Jr.,and Malcolm X, who inspired a generation of both blacks and whites to devote their lives to fighting for racial equality in the US.Jazz: Jazz is a music genre that began at the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States.It came from a mix of African and European music traditions.T echnically, it is a kind of music characterized by blue notes, syncopation, swing, call and response, and improvisation.Though originally a kind of dance music, jazz has now become a sophisticated art form.Jazz's development occurred at around the same time as modern ragtime, blues, gospel and country music, all of which can be seen as part of continuum with no clear demarcation between them.Some of the jazz musicians include Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong.The cold war: By the end ofWWII, the United States, which had not suffered as much as other allied countries, became the strongest country in the world.As the processor of atomic tombs and much of the world's gold reserve and industrial production in its hand, the policy-maker of the US wanted a world order dominated by the US, a world market free and open to American goods and services.In pursuing this goal, the US encountered determined resistance from the Soviet Union, Gradually the two wartime allies fell apart and the Cold War began.The melting pot: “The melting pot” is a metaphor that is associated with life in America.It first surfaced in the late 18th century, but gained new currency in the 20th century when in 1905 a popular play by that name was first produced by a Jewish playwright named Israel Zangwill.The melting pot metaphor implied that, in the New World, all differences would be melted away to form a radically new mixture.But it was wrongly embraced by the WASPs which remained dominant until around the middle of the 20th century.After World War Ⅱ,the Anglophile WASPs gradually lost their privileged position.With all these changes, the melting pot metaphor was doomed to lose its credibility because its anglophilic values no longer held for the majority of the American people.1.Why did the early settlers come to America? Who were the Pilgrims? Who were the Puritans? What were the features in the colonial period which had influence on later American development?——The early settlers came to America either for the opportunity to realize their dreams and better their lives or for the freedom from religious and governmental persecution.The Pilgrims were persons who suffered religious persecution in England and went to Holland and later moved to America in1620.The Puritans were the members of a Protestant group in England who wanted to purify the Church of England.Dissatisfied and threatened in England, they saw America as a refuge and migrated to America since 1630.There were a number of features in the colonial period which had influence on later American development.They were: representative form of government, rule of law, respect of individual rights, religious tolerance and a strong spirit of individual enterprise.2.What were the causes of the War of Independence?——The economy In the thirteen colonies developed very fast and people wanted more power to detemine their own business.But the policy of the British government was to bring the development under control and to collect more taxes from the colonies.On April 19, 1775, on their way to Concord to seize the military supplies of the militia there, the British soldiers met armed militiamen.The shots were fired, the War of Independence began.3.What was unusual about the Article of Confederation? What was the struggle at the Constitutional Convention? How was the conflict solved?——The Article of Confederation was unusual in many ways.First, it provided for no king.The drafters blamed the troubles with Britain on king George III.So they decided not to have a king but to have a republic.This was revolutionary.Second, while the Articles created a central government in the form of a Congress, the emphasis was still on state powers.Third, the Articles of Confederation was a written constitution for the United States.No important country in the world at that time, including Britain, had a written constitution.At the Constitution Convertion the delegates all agreed it was impossible to try to patch up the Articles of Confederation, and decided to ignorethem and draw up a new plan of government.Here contradictions emerged between the bigger states and smaller states, between the industrial commercial interests and landed interests, etc.In the end, the conflict was resolved by the “Great Compromise” of July 16, giving each state and equal vote in the Senate but making representation in the House reflect the size of each state’s population.4.Why did the Civil War break out? How did the war end?——In the early 1800s, the Northern states turned from farming to manufacturing.Black slavery soon disappeared in the North.But things were different in the South.The South expanded both its agriculture and its slavery.The problem of slavery became a serous political issue.The abolitionists tried to abolish slavery while the South tried to keep it.When Abraham Lincoln was elected President, the Southern states broke away and formed a new nation.Then Lincoln was determined to maintain the Union and the war broke out on April 12, 1861, Lincoln realized that he could win support for the Union at home and abroad by making the war a just war against slavery.So he issued Emancipation Proclamation.Thus England and France stood by the Union’s side.Many black slaves joined the Union Army.After a series of battles, Robert Lee could no longer hold Richmond.He surrendered on April 9, 1865.The Civil War ended.6.What was the impact of the Vietnam War-on American society?——The Vietnam War had a great impact on American society.(1)The United States was weakened as a result of the long war.(2)American society had never been so divided since the Civil War.(3)There was serious disagreement with in the ruling circle.(4)The image of the United States, especially the image of the American armed forces, was discredited.7.What are thefunctions of the Congress?—— The Congress has many functions, but the most central is the passage of law.One of the most important non-legislative functions of the Congress is the power to investigate.A second important power is to compel testimony from unwilling witness and to cite for contempt of Congress witness who refuse to testify and for perjury those who give false testimony.8.What are some of the characteristics of American education?(1)Formal education in the United States consists of elementary, secondary and higher education.(2)Public educations is free and compulsory.(3)Diversity is considered to be an outstanding characteristic of American education.(4)Education is a function of the states, not the federal government..Write about 150 on the following topic.1.How did the Civil Wars break out? What were the consequences of the Civil Wars?—— Charles I also belie ved “the Divine Right of kings”.His prerogative rights should not be challenged by anyone.It encouraged confrontation with Parliament, whose members had become increasingly Puritan in sympathy.He managed to rule England for 11 years without Parliament.But in 1640, Charles needed money and feared the invasion of the Scots and had to call the Long Parliament.Then a whole series of measures were introduced by the Parliament limiting the authority of the Crown while increasing its own.Thus, by 1642, the king and the commons were at each other’s throats, war was inevitable.In 1642, the first Civil War broke out.By autumn 1646, Parliament held most of England and next year Charles was captured but escaped.He made a deal with the Scots who invaded England but were defeated by Cromwell.Thus was the beginning of theSecond Civil War.In November 1648, the king was captured again and condemned to death.The English Civil Wars have been seen a conflict between Parliament and the king, but also as a conflict between the economic interests of the urban middle classes and the traditional economic interests of the Crown.The English Civil Wars not only overthrew feudal system in England but also shook the foundation of the feudal rule in Europe.It is generally regarded as the beginning of modern world history.2.T ell briefly the history of the two-party system in the United States.What are the characteristics of the two major parties in the United States today?—— Political parties are the basis of the American political system.In general, America has a two-party system.This means that two major political parties-now the Democrats and the Republicans-dominate politics at the federal, state and local levels.There have been four periods in the history of political parties in America.The first periods of the party system began with the first two major parties or camps —— the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists led by Alexander Hamilton.Most of the Anti-Federalists later accepted the Constitution with the Bill of Rights, and began to call themselves Democratic-Republican.After the 1828 election of Andrew Jackson, the Democratic-Republican Party split.The main faction, led by Andrew Jackson, called themselves the Democratic Party, while the faction opposed to Jackson formed the Whig Party in 1834.As the struggle over slavery intensified, the majority of the Whig Party, part of the democrats, and other anti-slavery elements founded in 1854 the Republican Party.The third phase of the two-party system ran from the 1860s to the 1920s with the Republican Party dominating the political scene for most of the time.The fourthperiod began with Franklin D.Roosevelt’s coming into power and lasted till the 1980s.In this period, for about 50 years, with short interruptions, the Democratic Party was dominant.The Two major parties are really not very different today.But this does not mean there is not difference between them.On economic issues, the Democrats traditionally favour government intervention while the Republicans stress the role of the market more.On social issues the Democrats support a strong social security system while the Republicans oppose large government social security programs.In spite of these differences, the two parties both believe in individualism, defend capitalism and uphold private ownership of means of production.In terms of organization the two parties are actually loose political coalitions.3.What were the causes and consequences of the War of 1812?The causes leading to the war were the following:(1)A war between Britain and France was going on in Europe.First the American government adopted a policy of not allowing trading with both ter the ernment changed its policy by stating that if any of the two countries gave up its blockade against American shipping, the U.S.world lift the prohibition.In 1811, the U.S., on the condition that France would drop its blockade against American shipping, lifted the ban.This angered the British.(2)The Americans resented the British practice of impressing or forcibly removing seamen from American ships on the grounds that they were British subjects.(3)The U.S.wanted to take advantage of the War in Europe, when Britain and France had no time to look after their interests in the New World, to expand into Canada or Spanish Florida.This harmed the interests of the British.—— The war hadgreat impact on the development of the Unite States.Firstly, the war made people realize the importance of a strong national government.Secondly, the war strengthened the feeling of national unity and patriotism.Thirdly, for almost 10 years after the war, the Americans turned their attention to the devlopment of the western part of the continent.Fourthly, it made both Britain and the United States realize their disputes should be slove through negotiation.A shaky peace in 1814 turned into lasing peace between the two countries.1.What are some of the major powers of each of the three branches of the US government? How are the three branches supposed tocheck and balance each other?The legislative branch can make federal laws, levy federal taxes, declare war or put foreign treaties into effect.The centre of the executive branch is the president.The president can propose legislation to Congress, can issue regulations and directives regarding the work of the federal government’s many departments and agencies, can veto bills passed by Congress, appoint federal judges, the heads and senior officials of the executive branch agencies as well as ambassadors and other officials.He also is commander-in-chief of the armed forces.The judicial branch applies and explains the laws.Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases arising out of the Constitution, laws and treaties of the US;maritime case;issues involving foreign citizens or governments;and cases in which the federal government itself is a party.The Supreme Court determines whether congressional legislation or executive action violates the Constitution.2.What is the relationship between government and religion in America?(1)In the first place, according to the First Amendment to the Constitution, the USA would have no state-supportedreligion.What’s more, the government has no right to meddle in religious affairs or require any religious beliefs of its citizens.And government does not pay ministers’ salarie s or require any belief as a condition of holding public office.(2)On the other hand, in some ways, the government supports all religions.Religious groups do not pay taxes in the United States.The armed forces pay chaplains of all faiths.Presidents and other political leaders often call on god to bless the American nation and people.Those whose religion forbids them to fight can perform other services instead of becoming soldiers.(3)When disputes about the relationship between government and religion arise, American courts must settle them.(4)In the early years, some people believe that Protestant religion and republican forms of government were connected, because God supports their experiment in republican government.All in all, for some purposes government ignores religion and for other purposes it treats al religion alike, as long as it is practical.第二篇：英美国家概况名词解释等1.The civil rights movementIt is one of the most important of all social movements in the 1960s in America.Rosa Parks’ spontaneous action in 1955 was believed to the true beginning of the civil rights movement.The black students’ sit-in at a department lunch counter in North Carolina touched off the nationwide civil rights movement.During the first half of the decade, civil rights organizations like the SNCC,CORE,and SCLC struggled for racial intergration by providing leaderships,network and the people.In the latter half of the decade, some black organizations changed their nonviolent tactics, and emphasized on more radical means to end discrimination and raised the self-image of the blacks.Thecivil rights movement produced such great leaders as Martin Luther King.Jr, and Malcolm X, who inspired a generation of both blacks and whites to devote their lives to fighting for racial equality in th US.2.A federal system【联邦制】It is one in which power is shared between a central authority and its constiuent parts, with some rights reserved to each.3.King ArthurIt is said that he was the King of England in the 5th century and united the British and drove the Saxons back with his magica sword,Excalibur.His real existence is in doubt.He is the central figure of many legends.4.The Anglo-SaxonsThey were two groups of Germanic peoples who settled down in England from the 5th century.They were regarded as the ancestors of the English and the founders of England.5.Riverdance[大河舞] It is a very popular form of dancing based on Ireland’s intricate[错综复杂的]folk dances which are rearranged and modernized and adapted onto current stage performance.Dancing is traditionally part of Irish culture.It is usually accompanied by the Irish pipe and fiddle.The music usually sounds fast and furious.Most of the actionis from the waist down, with the arms held rigidly at the sides.6.The House of CommonsIt is the real center of British political life because it is the place where about 650 elected representatives(members of parliament)make and debate policy.These MPs are elected in the General Elections and should represent the interests of the people who vote for them.7.The Commonwealth【英联邦】In the author’s opinion, the Commowealth is a voluntary association of states which is made up mostly of former British colonies.There are 50 members of the Commonwealth: many ofthese are developing countries like India and Cyprus;others are developed nations like Australia,Canada and New Zealand.The Commonwealth was set up as a form for continued cooperation and as a sort of support network.8.MaoritangaIt is the Maori word for “Maori culture.” It refers to all the elements of the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous people in New Zealand, including their language, customs and traditions,9.The “Washminster” form polityIt is adopted by the Australian government.It is a mixture of the US Washington system of government and the British Westminster system.This means that the political structure of the government is base on a Federation of States with a three-tier system of government.However, the chief executive is a Prime Minister, instead of a President as in the US system.10.Yellowstone National ParkIt is the oldest and one of the largest national parks in the US.It is named after the Yellowstone River that flows through the area.It is known for its geysers and hot springs among other natural wonders.counterculture[反主流文化]In the wake of the Free Speech Movement and the New Left, there appeared a phenomenon that historians called the “counterculture”.The counterculture rejected capitalism and other Americans principles.They had morals different from those taught by their parents.Some group of youth tried to construct different ways of life,.Among the most famous were the hippies.They thought new experience through dropping out, and drug taking.But it was music,rock music particular, that became the chief vehicle for the counter cultural assault on the traditional American society.The counterculture exerted a great influence upon people’s attitudes toward social morals, marriage, careerand success.Martin Luther King, Jr.A black Baptist minister, he was leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference during the civil rights movements of the 1960s.To promote his philosophy of nonviolent protest against segregation and other kinds of social injustice, King organized a series of “marches”, including the march on Washington of August 1963, when King delivered his famous “ I Have a Dream” speech.As a civil rights leader, King worked not only to end racial discrimination and poverty, but also to raise the self image of the blacks.Due to his strong belief in non-violent peaceful protest, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Price in 1964.He was assassinated in the city of Memphis in April 1968.13．Richard NixonRichard Nixon was the former President of the United States.He won the elction in 1968 and was re-elected in 1972.While he was in office, he contributed to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the US and China and visited China in 1972.Shortly after he was re-elected ,he was involved in theWatergate scandal,for which he was forced to resign from the presidency.1.Explain your understanding of how the United States is governed according to its constitution, including its polity and the check and balance mechanism of governing.if Congress proposes a law that the president think is unwise, the president can veto it.That means the proposal does not became law.Congress can enact the law despite the president’s views only if two-thirds of the members of both houses vote in favor of it.If Congress passes a low which is the challenged in the courts as unconstitutional, the Supreme Court has the power to declare the law unconstitutional and therefore no longer in effect.The president has the power to make treaties with other nations andto make all appointments to federal positions,including the position, of Supreme Court justice.The Senate,however,must approve all treaties and confirm all appointments before they become official.In this way the Congress can prevent the president from making unwise appointments.2.How do you understand the saying: ”British history has been a history of invasion.” ?Before the 1st century AD Britain was made up of many tribal kingdoms of Celtic people:a powerful cultural originating in central Europe.Then in 43AD Britain was invaded by Roman Empire, and England and Wales became part of the Roman Empire for nearly400 years.As the Roman Empire came under threat from the east, the Roman armies and Roman protection were withdrawn from Britain, and Britain was again divided into small kindoms, andagain it came under threat from outside, this time from Germanic peoples:the Angles,and the Saxon.In the 5th century AD it is said that a great leader-King Arthur appeared, united the British, and with his magical sword, Excalibur,drove the Saxons back.whatever Arthur’s success,legend or not,it did not last,for the Anglo-Saxons did succeed in invading Britain,and either absorbed the Celticpeople,or pushed them to the western and northern edges of Britain.From the late 8th century on, raiders from Scandinavia, the ferocious Vikings, threatened Britain’s shores.Their settlements in England grew until large areas of northern and eastern England were under their control.1066, the Normans, from northern France, whowere descendants of Vikings.Under William of Normandy they cross the English Channel and in the Battle of Hastings, defeated an English army under King Harold.This marks the last time.that an army fromoutside the British Isles succeeded in invading3.Your understanding of the characteristics of American religion and its social functionsFirst of all, American with different religions live together under the same law.The Bill of Rights in the US Constitution insists that there should be no state religion.That means that the government has no right to interfere in people’s religious affairs.The freedom of religion and the separation of state and church guaranted in the Constitution is believed to be the basic principles against religious persecution.Secondly,the religious beliefs of Americans continue to be strong with social progress.Every Sunday morning, all over America people pour into the churches.Half of American Protestants are active church members, and there are few who habitually stay away.Not only the Catholic churches,but the Protestant ones too,are flourishing,and new ever-growing suburbs.Through all the social and economic changes religion has remained a constant factor.Thirdly,in the united states every church is a completeluy independent organization,and concerned with its own finance and its own building.if one goes to a Protestant church,he or she will hear morality preached,but not a word of doctrine.Churches and religious sects are expressions of group solidarity rather than of rigid adherence to doctrine.第三篇：英美概况论文文化是一个复合体，其中包括知识、信仰、艺术、法律、道德、风俗以及人作为社会成员而获得的任何其他能力和习惯。
- 1、下载文档前请自行甄别文档内容的完整性，平台不提供额外的编辑、内容补充、找答案等附加服务。
- 2、"仅部分预览"的文档,不可在线预览部分如存在完整性等问题,可反馈申请退款(可完整预览的文档不适用该条件!)。
- 3、如文档侵犯您的权益，请联系客服反馈,我们会尽快为您处理(人工客服工作时间：9:00-18:30)。
The industrial revolution refers to the mechanization of industry and the consequent changes in social and economic organization in Britain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Britain was the first country to industrialize.The industrial revolution A period in the late 18th andearly 19th centuries when major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, production, and transportation had a profound effect on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions in Britain. The Industrial Revolution, was a period of unprecedented technological, economic and social change that completely transformed British culture from a largely rural, static society with limited production and division of labour into the world's first modern industrial society.the Black DeathIt was the deadly bubonic plague who spread through Europe in the 14th century. It swept through England without warning and any cure, and sparing no victims. It killed between half and one-third of the population of England. Thus, much land was left untended and labor was short. It caused far-reaching economic consequences. The Black Death----It was one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, peaking in Europe between 1348 and 1350. It is widely thought to have been an outbreak of bubonic plague caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestisis and have started in Central Asia. It came without warning, and without any cue.The Black Death is estimated to have killed30% to 60% of Europe's population and had profound effects on the course of European history. In England, it killed almost half of the total population, causing far-reaching economic consequences.the Progressive MovementThe Progressive Movement is a movement demanding government regulation of the economy and social conditions. It spread quickly with the support of large numbers of people across the country. It was not an organized campaign with clearly defined goals.(Rather, it was a number of diverse efforts at political, social, and economic reforms. In spite of limitations of the movement, it brought about changes and improvement in many fields.)Roman Britain was the part of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire between AD 43 and about 410. Britannia already had cultural and economic links with Continental Europe, butthe invaders introduced new developments in agriculture, urbanisation, industry and architecture, leaving a legacy that is still apparent today. The first Romans to campaign extensively in Britain were the forces of Julius Caesar in 55 and 54 BC, but the first significant conquest did not begin until AD 43, under Claudius.House of commonsI.House of CommonsCompositions:The House of Commons: The House of Commons is the real centerof British p(651 in num.) from England (524), Wales(38), Scotland(72) and N Ireland(17)Functions: a, law passageb, authorizing taxation and public expenditurec, examining government action d. debateFeatures: a. electoral system (general election)b. general election by secret ballotc. party member elected to form a majority partyd. PM out of the majority, cabinet and shadow cabinetolitical life because it is the place where about 650 elected representatives (Members of Parliament) make and debate policy. These MPs are elected in the General Elections and should represent the interests of the people who vote for them.Manifest destiny Manifest Destiny , which conveyed the ideathat the rightful destiny of the United States was included to make an empire.Manifest Destiny:a. inevitability of the founding of USAb. legitimacy of the expansion of American Territoryc. spread of American democracy being the task of American people who were chosen to do the Lord’s workContainment policy Containment was a United States policy toprevent the spread of communism abroad. A component of the Cold War, this policy was a response to a series of moves by the Soviet Union to enlarge communist influence in Eastern Europe, China,Korea, Africa, and Vietnam. It represented a middle-ground position between appeasement and rollback.Containment(1946); “ a long term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies.”The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the GermanDemocratic Republic (GDR) starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin.The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, which circumscribed a wide area ("death strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches and other defences.The Cold War (1947–1991) was the continuing state of politicalconflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition existing after World War II (1939–1945), primarily between the Soviet Union and its satellite states, and the powers of the Western world, particularly the United States. Although the primary participants' military force never officially clashed directly, they expressed the conflict through military coalitions, strategic conventional force deployments, extensive aid to states deemed vulnerable, proxy wars, espionage, propaganda, conventional and nuclear arms races, appeals to neutral nations, rivalry at sports events, and technological competitionsCold War InfluencePoliticalWASP; military superpower from 1979Economic: economic recession; slow income risingSocial: new conservatism(middle class); rebuilding of American military strengthW The Cold War, often dated from 1947 to 1991, was a sustained stateof political and military tension between powers in theWestern Bloc, dominated by the United States with NATO among its allies, and powers in the Eastern Bloc, dominated by theSoviet Union along with the Warsaw Pact. This began after the success of their temporary wartime alliance against Nazi Germany, leaving the USSR and the US as two superpowers with profound economic and political differences. A neutral faction arose with the Non-Aligned Movement founded by Egypt, India, and Yugoslavia; this faction rejected association with either the US-led West or the Soviet-led East.The Berlin Wall(German: Berliner Mauer) was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR,East Germany) startingon 13 August 1961, that completely cut off (by land) West Berlin from surrounding EastGermany and from East Berlin.[1] The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls,[2] which circumscribed a wide area (later known as the "death strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches, "fakir beds" and other defenses. The Eastern Bloc claimed that the wall was erected to protect its population from fascist elements conspiring to prevent the "will of the people" in building a socialist state in East Germany. In practice, the Wall served to prevent the massive emigration and defection that marked Germany and the communist Eastern Bloc during the post-World War II period.The Berlin Wall was officially referred to as the "Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart" (German: Antifaschistischer Schutzwall) by GDR authorities, implying that neighbouring West Germany had not been fully de-Nazified.[3] The West Berlin city government sometimes referred to it as the "Wall of Shame"—a term coined by mayor Willy Brandt—while condemning the Wall's restriction on freedom of movement. Along with the separate and much longerInner German border (IGB) that demarcated the border between East and West Germany, both borders came to symbolize the "Iron Curtain" that separated Western Europe and the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War. Before the Wall's erection, 3.5 million East Germans circumvented Eastern Bloc emigration restrictions and defected from the GDR, many by crossing over the border from East Berlin into West Berlin, from where they could then travel to West Germany and other Western European countries. Between 1961 and 1989, the wall prevented almost all such emigration.[4] During this period, around 5,000 people attempted to escape over the wall, with an estimated death toll of over 600.In 1989, a series of radical political changes occurred in the Eastern Bloc, associated with the liberalizationof the Eastern Bloc's authoritarian systems and the erosion of political power in the pro-Soviet governments in nearby Poland and Hungary. After several weeks of civil unrest, the East German government announced on 9 November 1989 that all GDR citizens could visit West Germany and West Berlin. Crowds of East Germans crossed and climbed onto the wall, joined by West Germans on the other side in a celebratory atmosphere. Over the next few weeks, a euphoric public and souvenir hunters chipped away parts of the wall; the governments later used industrial equipment to remove most of the rest. The physical Wall itself was primarily destroyed in 1990. The fall of the Berlin Wall paved the way for German reunification, which was formally concluded on 3 October 1990.。