1. Invaders and a global empire have shaped the history of the British Isles.

2. British culture, such as government and music, has influenced much of the world.

3. Efforts to bring peace to Northern Ireland and maintain strong economies are important issues in the British Isles today.

​Keep these ideas in mind as we review the lesson.

​The British Isles:

Main Ideas​

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The Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom make up the British Isles.

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The United Kingdom consists of:

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• England

• Scotland

• Wales

• Northern Ireland

​History

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The Celts were early settlers of the British Isles. Later, Romans, Angles, Saxons, Vikings, and Normans invaded Britain. Over time, England grew in strength, and by the 1500s it had become a world power. England eventually formed the United Kingdom with Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. It developed a strong economy thanks to the Industrial Revolution and its colonies abroad.

​History

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The British Empire stretched around the world by 1900 but later declined. The Republic of Ireland won its independence, and by the mid-1900s Britain had given up most of its colonies.

​History

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The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. England first limited the power of monarchs during the Middle Ages in a document called Magna Carta. This document influenced the governments of many countries. Ireland’s president serves as head of state, but a prime minister and Parliament run the government.

​constitutional monarchy- type of democracy in which a king or queen serves as head of state, but a legislature makes the laws

Magna Carta- document that limited the powers of kings and required everyone to obey the law

​Culture

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The people of the British Isles share many cultural traits, but each region is also unique. The people of Ireland and Scotland keep many traditions alive, and immigrants from all over the world add new traits to the culture of the British Isles.

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British popular culture has influenced people around the world. British literature and music are well known, and the English language is used in many countries.​

​Culture

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Efforts to maintain a powerful economy, the United Kingdom’s relationship with the EU, and challenges to peace in Northern Ireland are key issues facing the British Isles today. In 2016 citizens of the UK voted to exit the EU, a departure nicknamed Brexit. In Northern Ireland, many Catholics feel they have not been treated fairly by Protestants. Some hope to unite with the Republic of Ireland. In the late 1990s peace talks led to the creation of a national assembly in Northern Ireland. However, some groups refused to disarm, delaying the peace process.

​British Isles Today

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disarm- give up all weapons

Maintaining powerful economies in the British Isles is a key issue today. London is a center for world trade, and the country has reserves of oil and natural gas in the North Sea. Dublin has attracted new industries like computers and electronics.

​British Isles Today

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London- capital of the United Kingdom

Dublin- capital of the Republic of Ireland