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{{Infobox country|image_flag=Flag of Great Britain (1707–1800).svg|conventional_long_name=United Kingdom of Great Britain|common_name=Britain|capital=London|official_languages=English|common_languages=Scots </br> Welsh </br> Gaelic </br> Cornish </br> Cant|largest_city=London|flag_width=300px|image_coat=Schomberg Royal Arms .png|government_type=Constitutional monarchy}} |
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{{Nation |
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|common_name=The United Kingdom |
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|full_name= |
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|local_name= |
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|established= |
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|capital= London |
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|largest_city= |
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|population= |
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|government_type= Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy |
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|languages= {{unbulleted_list | English (Official)| |
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Scots | |
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Welsh | |
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Scottish Gaelic | |
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}} |
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|currency=Pound Sterling (GBP) |
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|flag=Flag of the United Kingdom.png}} |
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The '''United Kingdom of Great Britain''', commonly known as '''Britain''', is |
The '''United Kingdom of Great Britain''', commonly known as '''Britain''' or the ''pars pro toto'' '''England''', is an island country in north-western Europe. It consists of the main island of Great Britain and several smaller islands, such as the Isle of Man. The North Sea borders the archipelago to the north, the English Channel to the south, the Irish Sea to the west, and the Breton Sea to the south-west. The United Kingdom is a key member of the [[Organization of Democratic Nations|Organization of Democratic States (ODN)]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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{{Main|History of the United Kingdom}}The [[History of Europe#Second Anglo-Dutch War|Second Anglo-Dutch War]] in 1664 led to [[New Netherland]]'s defeat of Britain. In 1667, [[Henrietta I]], daughter of Charles I, became Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland. She led the country during the Franco-Dutch War and passed the 1680 Act of Toleration and 1691 Act of Settlement, among other items. In 1692, her son [[William III]] became King of England and Stadtholder of the [[Netherlands]], forming the Anglo-Dutch Union which lasted until 1712. In 1696, the Acts of Union united Scotland and England into one state. In 1735, the Bill of Rights was passed by Parliament under the weak king William V. |
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===Premodern history=== |
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See also: Britain (place name) and Terminology of the British Isles |
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In the 1750s, British victory in the [[Great Silesian War|Silesian War]] and [[History of New Netherland#Prince Maurice’s War (1750-1755)|Prince Maurice's War]] established Britain as a world power, gaining new territories such as [[Carolina]]. When Queen Elizabeth II died heirless in 1771, William III's great-grandnephew-in-law [[Frederick I|Frederick]] of the Schomberg family became King of Great Britain. The country defeated [[France]] and its allies in the [[History of Europe#The Augustine period|Augustine Wars]] by 1815. |
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The Acts of Union 1707 declared that the Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland were "United into One Kingdom by the Name of Great Britain". The term "United Kingdom" has occasionally been used as a description for the former kingdom of Great Britain, although its official name from 1707 to 1800 was simply "Great Britain". The Acts of Union 1800 united the kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801, forming the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Following the partition of Ireland and the independence of the Irish Free State in 1922, which left Northern Ireland as the only part of the island of Ireland within the United Kingdom, the name was changed to the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". |
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In 1833, Britain abolished slavery, directly leading to [[History of Virginia#First Anglo-Virginian War (1833-1834), Washington's Rebellion and the First Virginian Republic|a war with the colony of Virginia]]. The British-sponsored [[Ottoman Empire#Construction of the Suez Canal|Suez Canal]] opened in 1837. Two decades later, Britain gained Chinese treaty ports in the [[Canton War]] against the Dutch. The [[Ireland#The Great Famine|Irish Famine]] sparked a political crisis and the [[Piedmont#The Montferrat rebellion in Ireland|Montferrat insurrection]], leading to the 1863 Acts of Union with Ireland. Virginia ultimately [[History of Virginia#Second Anglo-Virginian War (1852-1854)|gained independence]] in 1854. By 1861, [[Colonial India#Great Britain|a rebellion in India]] was subdued. In 1877, [[History of Europe#British intervention of 1877|a coup was initiated]] in communard France. Britain waged war on the Ottomans [[Ottoman Empire#Anglo-Turkish War (1885)|in 1885]], taking control of [[Egypt]] and [[Malta]]. |
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Although the United Kingdom is a sovereign country, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are also widely referred to as countries. The UK Prime Minister's website has used the phrase "countries within a country" to describe the United Kingdom. Some statistical summaries, such as those for the twelve NUTS 1 regions of the United Kingdom refer to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as "regions". Northern Ireland is also referred to as a "province". With regard to Northern Ireland, the descriptive name used "can be controversial, with the choice often revealing one's political preferences". |
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In 1914, London passed the [[New England#1914 Home Rule in America Act|Home Rule Act]], granting several colonies self-rule. The [[European Economic Crisis|Economic Crisis]] of the 1920s placed strain on Britain and its empire. In 1927, Ireland [[Ireland#The Dominion of Ireland|became a dominion]]. Starting from 1935, the United Kingdom entered [[Great War|the Great War]] alongside [[Russia]], [[Portugal]], and [[Venice]], eventually emerging victorious. |
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The term "Great Britain" conventionally refers to the island of Great Britain, or politically to England, Scotland and Wales in combination. It is sometimes used as a loose synonym for the United Kingdom as a whole. |
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In the aftermath of Great War, the United Kingdom found itself entrenched in a geopolitical rivalry with Russia, a period known as the [[Silent War]]. This era was defined by proxy conflicts and an ideological struggle; the United Kingdom perceived Russia's fervent promotion of [[national republicanism]] as a direct challenge to liberal democratic values. In response this perceived threat, the United Kingdom established the [[Organization of Democratic Nations|Organization of Democratic Nations (ODN)]] to help contain the spread of national republicanism and maintain international stability. |
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The term "Britain" is used both as a synonym for Great Britain, and as a synonym for the United Kingdom. Usage is mixed: the UK Government prefers to use the term "UK" rather than "Britain" or "British" on its own website (except when referring to embassies), while acknowledging that both terms refer to the United Kingdom and that elsewhere "British government" is used at least as frequently as "United Kingdom government". The UK Permanent Committee on Geographical Names recognises "United Kingdom", "UK" and "U.K." as shortened and abbreviated geopolitical terms for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in its toponymic guidelines; it does not list "Britain" but notes that "it is only the one specific nominal term 'Great Britain' which invariably excludes Northern Ireland". The BBC historically preferred to use "Britain" as shorthand only for Great Britain, though the present style guide does not take a position except that "Great Britain" excludes Northern Ireland. |
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== Overseas Territories == |
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The adjective "British" is commonly used to refer to matters relating to the United Kingdom and is used in law to refer to United Kingdom citizenship and matters to do with nationality. People of the United Kingdom use a number of different terms to describe their national identity and may identify themselves as being British, English, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish, or Irish; or as having a combination of different national identities. The official designation for a citizen of the United Kingdom is "British citizen". |
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=== British Overseas Collectivities (BOC) === |
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== History == |
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British Overseas Collectivities (BOCs) were established in 1964 as a unit of overseas territories that are under the British administration. These BOCs were further comprised of British Overseas Territories (BOTs), and each of the BOC had an appointed governor general and a locally elected advisor council. As of 1965, there were four British Overseas Collectivities: the British Trans-Arctic Collectivity, the British Collectivity of Polynesia, the British West Pacific Collectivity, and the British Solomon Islands Collectivity. |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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|+British Overseas Collectivities (BOCs) as of 1964 |
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!Name |
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!Territories |
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|'''The British Trans-Arctic Collectivity''' |
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* ''Crown Colony of Greenland'' |
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* ''British Arctic Territories'' |
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* ''Crown Colony of Rupertsland & the Hudson Bay'' |
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* ''The Overseas Territory of Spitsbergen'' |
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|'''The British Collectivity of Polynesia''' |
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* ''The Hicks Islands Territories'' |
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* ''British South Pacific Territories'' |
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* ''The Dependency of British Tahiti'' |
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|'''The British West Pacific Collectivity''' |
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* ''The Overseas Territory of Futuna'' |
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* ''The Kingsmill Island Territories'' |
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* ''The Territories of British Micronesia'' |
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* ''The Dependency of Tokelau & Christmas Island'' |
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|'''The British Solomon Islands Collectivity''' |
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* ''The Territories of New Britain & New Ireland'' |
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* ''The Dependency of Le Maire Island'' |
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* ''The Dependency of Guadalcanal'' |
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* ''The South Solomon Territories'' |
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|} |
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=== |
=== Other overseas territories === |
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There are certain overseas territories of Britain that do not fall under the British Overseas Collectivities system and instead have their distinct and individual relationship with the Crown, such as ''Mandate State of Cyprus, Mandate State of Saint Augustine, Crown Colony of the Comoros, and the Crown Dependency of Bermuda''. |
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Settlement by anatomically modern humans of what was to become the United Kingdom occurred in waves beginning by about 30,000 years ago. By the end of the region's prehistoric period, the population is thought to have belonged, in the main, to a culture termed Insular Celtic, comprising Brittonic Britain and Gaelic Ireland. |
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== List of leaders == |
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Prior to the Roman conquest, Britain was home to about 30 indigenous tribes. The largest were the Belgae, the Brigantes, the Silures and the Iceni. Historian Edward Gibbon believed that Spain, Gaul and Britain were populated by "the same hardy race of savages", based on the similarity of their "manners and languages". The Roman conquest, beginning in 43 AD, and the 400-year rule of southern Britain, was followed by an invasion by Germanic Anglo-Saxon settlers, reducing the Brittonic area mainly to what was to become Wales, Cornwall and, until the latter stages of the Anglo-Saxon settlement, the Hen Ogledd (northern England and parts of southern Scotland). Most of the region settled by the Anglo-Saxons became unified as the Kingdom of England in the 10th century. Meanwhile, Gaelic-speakers in north-west Britain (with connections to the north-east of Ireland and traditionally supposed to have migrated from there in the 5th century) united with the Picts to create the Kingdom of Scotland in the 9th century. |
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{{Main|List of British leaders}} |
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==See also== |
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In 1066, the Normans and their Breton allies invaded England from northern France. After conquering England, they seized large parts of Wales, conquered much of Ireland and were invited to settle in Scotland, bringing to each country feudalism on the Northern French model and Norman-French culture. The Anglo-Norman ruling class greatly influenced, but eventually assimilated with, each of the local cultures. Subsequent medieval English kings completed the conquest of Wales and made unsuccessful attempts to annex Scotland. Asserting its independence in the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, Scotland maintained its independence thereafter, albeit in near-constant conflict with England. |
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* [[Organization of Democratic Nations]] |
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The English monarchs, through inheritance of substantial territories in France and claims to the French crown, were also heavily involved in conflicts in France, most notably the Hundred Years War, while the Kings of Scots were in an alliance with the French during this period. Early modern Britain saw religious conflict resulting from the Reformation and the introduction of Protestant state churches in each country. Wales was fully incorporated into the Kingdom of England, and Ireland was constituted as a kingdom in personal union with the English crown. In what was to become Northern Ireland, the lands of the independent Catholic Gaelic nobility were confiscated and given to Protestant settlers from England and Scotland. |
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In 1603, the kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland were united in a personal union when James VI, King of Scots, inherited the crowns of England and Ireland and moved his court from Edinburgh to London; each country nevertheless remained a separate political entity and retained its separate political, legal, and religious institutions. |
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=== The Anglo-Dutch Union === |
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=== Kingdom of Great Britain === |
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====Great Silesian War (1750-1755)==== |
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{{Main|Great Silesian War}} |
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=== Britain in the 19th century === |
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===British imperialism=== |
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====In the Americas==== |
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====In Oceania==== |
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==== In Asia ==== |
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=====The Canton War===== |
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{{Main|Canton War}} |
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====In Africa==== |
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===The Great War=== |
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{{Main|The Great War}} |
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==Government and Politics== |
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==Demographics== |
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==Culture== |
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==See also== |
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{{Nations of the World}} |
{{Nations of the World}} |
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__FORCETOC__ |
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Latest revision as of 05:38, 28 September 2023
United Kingdom of Great Britain | |
|---|---|
.svg) Flag
Coat of arms
| |
| Capital and largest city | London |
| Official languages | English |
| Common languages | Scots Welsh Gaelic Cornish Cant |
| Government | Constitutional monarchy |
The United Kingdom of Great Britain, commonly known as Britain or the pars pro toto England, is an island country in north-western Europe. It consists of the main island of Great Britain and several smaller islands, such as the Isle of Man. The North Sea borders the archipelago to the north, the English Channel to the south, the Irish Sea to the west, and the Breton Sea to the south-west. The United Kingdom is a key member of the Organization of Democratic States (ODN).
History
The Second Anglo-Dutch War in 1664 led to New Netherland's defeat of Britain. In 1667, Henrietta I, daughter of Charles I, became Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland. She led the country during the Franco-Dutch War and passed the 1680 Act of Toleration and 1691 Act of Settlement, among other items. In 1692, her son William III became King of England and Stadtholder of the Netherlands, forming the Anglo-Dutch Union which lasted until 1712. In 1696, the Acts of Union united Scotland and England into one state. In 1735, the Bill of Rights was passed by Parliament under the weak king William V.
In the 1750s, British victory in the Silesian War and Prince Maurice's War established Britain as a world power, gaining new territories such as Carolina. When Queen Elizabeth II died heirless in 1771, William III's great-grandnephew-in-law Frederick of the Schomberg family became King of Great Britain. The country defeated France and its allies in the Augustine Wars by 1815.
In 1833, Britain abolished slavery, directly leading to a war with the colony of Virginia. The British-sponsored Suez Canal opened in 1837. Two decades later, Britain gained Chinese treaty ports in the Canton War against the Dutch. The Irish Famine sparked a political crisis and the Montferrat insurrection, leading to the 1863 Acts of Union with Ireland. Virginia ultimately gained independence in 1854. By 1861, a rebellion in India was subdued. In 1877, a coup was initiated in communard France. Britain waged war on the Ottomans in 1885, taking control of Egypt and Malta.
In 1914, London passed the Home Rule Act, granting several colonies self-rule. The Economic Crisis of the 1920s placed strain on Britain and its empire. In 1927, Ireland became a dominion. Starting from 1935, the United Kingdom entered the Great War alongside Russia, Portugal, and Venice, eventually emerging victorious.
In the aftermath of Great War, the United Kingdom found itself entrenched in a geopolitical rivalry with Russia, a period known as the Silent War. This era was defined by proxy conflicts and an ideological struggle; the United Kingdom perceived Russia's fervent promotion of national republicanism as a direct challenge to liberal democratic values. In response this perceived threat, the United Kingdom established the Organization of Democratic Nations (ODN) to help contain the spread of national republicanism and maintain international stability.
Overseas Territories
British Overseas Collectivities (BOC)
British Overseas Collectivities (BOCs) were established in 1964 as a unit of overseas territories that are under the British administration. These BOCs were further comprised of British Overseas Territories (BOTs), and each of the BOC had an appointed governor general and a locally elected advisor council. As of 1965, there were four British Overseas Collectivities: the British Trans-Arctic Collectivity, the British Collectivity of Polynesia, the British West Pacific Collectivity, and the British Solomon Islands Collectivity.
| Name | Territories |
|---|---|
| The British Trans-Arctic Collectivity |
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| The British Collectivity of Polynesia |
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| The British West Pacific Collectivity |
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| The British Solomon Islands Collectivity |
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Other overseas territories
There are certain overseas territories of Britain that do not fall under the British Overseas Collectivities system and instead have their distinct and individual relationship with the Crown, such as Mandate State of Cyprus, Mandate State of Saint Augustine, Crown Colony of the Comoros, and the Crown Dependency of Bermuda.
