English Context
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The document outlines major historical events and societal changes in England from the 16th to the 20th century, highlighting the Protestant Reformation, the age of exploration, the English Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution. It also notes significant legislation concerning social issues, such as the abolition of slavery, women's rights, and the establishment of the welfare state. Additionally, it mentions prominent literary works and cultural shifts throughout these centuries.
English Context
- 2. 16th Century • The Protestant Reformation was a European movement aimed initially at reforming the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. In the eyes of many historians, this Reformation signaled the beginning of the modern era. This included rationalisation, in which religious ideas began to lose influence as scientific explanations grew. • 1577: Elizabeth I Proclamation against Excess: Queen Elizabeth I passed a series of strict laws relating to dress codes. People had to dress according to their rank and class to avoid a fine. Many people lived at subsistence level. • 1588: The defeat of the Spanish Armada (one of England’s greatest Military achievements) • The 16th Century was also the Age of Exploration. Europeans began exploring the world by sea in search of trading partners, new goods and new trade routes. Trade began to emerge on a social
- 3. 16th Century Sir Thomas More became the first person to write of a ‘utopia’ (a perfect, imaginary world) This century was the start of the Renaissance period and included writers such as Shakespeare who in this century wrote Richard III. Shakespeare and Renaissance carried on into the 17th Century 1509: Henry VIII ascends the throne 1558: Queen Elizabeth I takes the throne until 1603
- 4. 17th Century Newspapers were founded in the 17th Century and the printing press meant more people were able to get hold of literature. In 1604, the first English dictionary was published 1605: Guy Fawkes, a Catholic, becomes famously known for plotting to bomb parliament (‘The Gun Powder Plot’). Consequently, he is tortured, hanged and quartered (this was the types of punishment at the time). Catholics were feared after that. Witch hunts and the hanging of witches began in this century when James I stated his belief in witches. People suspected James I was doing it to target Christians after the Gun Powder plot
- 5. 17th Century The English Civil War took place (1642), which involved Parliamentarians and Royalists fighting over how the country should be run. Charles I didn’t agree with the rising taxes and tried to stop them by arresting members of Parliament. However, the Divine Right was no longer in use. Charles fled after numerous battles but was eventually captured and sentenced to death for war against his kingdom. September 1666 saw the Great Fire of London 1665-1666: Great Plague of London
- 6. 18th Century 1740: English War of Succession began (England vs. Spain) 1751: Tax is imposed on Gin. Gin was easy to sell and get hold of, so people were ruining their health by drinking it. The tax stopped this. (search for William Hogarth’s piece ‘Beer Street and Gin Lane’) 1756 – 1763: The Seven Years’ War 1776 – 1783: The American Revolutionary War (War of Independence) resulting in the formation of the United States. 1782: England lost it’s “hanged, drawn and quartered” execution 1789 – 1799: The French Revolution. A social and political upheaval. Like the American revolution, it was centered around Enlightenment ideas of progress, reason and liberty.
- 7. 18th Century 1794: William Blake’s ‘Songs of Innocence and Experience’ were published 1798: The Irish Rebellion occurred; 100,000 peasants revolt and 25,000 died Around 1970, a group of Evangelical Christians form the Clapham Sect and campaigned for an end to slavery and cruel sports Also in the 1700s, Mary Wollstonecraft wrote the ‘Rights of Women’, and Thomas Paine write the ‘Rights of Men’
- 8. 19th Century The Industrial Revolution – in 1801, only 20% of the population lived in towns but by 1851 over two-thirds of the population lived in towns. It also created a demand for female and child labour, especially in textile factories working up to 12 hour shifts. The Clapham Sect continued until around 1830. 1812: Spencer Perceval became the first British Prime Minister to ever be assassinated 1807: Slave Trade was made illegal and by 1833, The Slavery Abolition Act was passed in Britain. 1861-65: The American Civil War During this century, Marxism. Marxists believe society is split into two classes, the working (proletariats) and the upper (bourgeoisie/capitalist). They believe the upper class oppress and dominate the working class.
- 9. 20th Century 1912: Sinking of the Titanic 1914-1918: World War 1 1928: Wall Street Crash, and Women can vote on the same terms as men 1929: Great Depression 1939-1943/44: World War 2 1948: the NHS and Welfare state was set up. Class boundaries started to become blurred Civil Rights Movements (e.g. the American Civil Right movement) took place. Such movements fought for racial and sexual equality 1949: Ireland gained independence from Britain
- 10. 20th Century 1960s: All children received full time education 1961: the introduction of the Contraceptive Pill 1969: Divorce Reform Act 1975: Sex Discrimination Act, given women equal rights Society increasingly became secular and immigration saw the increase of other religious beliefs in society Important books written during this century included 1984 (Orwell), To Kill a Mockingbird, Lord of the Flies, Sherlock Homes