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1、1. 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
2、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
3、 the church courts were separated from the civil courts. 2. Explain the Glorious Revolution in English. In 1685 Charles II died and was succeeded by his brother James II. James was brought up in exile in Europe, was a Catholic. He hoped to rule without giving up his personal religious vies. But Engl
4、and was no more tolerant of a Catholic king in 1688 than 40 years ago. 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,
5、nor any execution of the king. This was known as the Glorious Revolution. 3. What is the basis of British government? Explain it in English. The basis of British government is the Constitutional Monarchy. It is a political system that has been practised in Britain since the Glorious revolution of 16
6、88. According to this system, the Constitution is superior to the Monarch. In law, the Monarch has many supreme powers, but in practice, the real power of monarchy has been greatly reduced and today the Queen acts solely on the advice of her ministers. She reigns but does not rule. The real power li
7、es in the Parliament, or to be exact, in the House of Commons.4. How did the English Industrial Revolution proceed? The Industrial Revolution began with the textile industry. Its characterized by a series of inventions and improvements of machines, such as flying shuttle, spinning Jenny. James Watt
8、produced a efficient steam engine in 1765, which could be applied to textile and other machinery. The most important element in speeding industrialization was the breakthrough in smelting iron with coke instead of charcoal. Similar developments occurred in the forging side of the iron industry which
9、 enabled iron to replace wool and stone in many sectors of the economy. 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. 5. What were the contents and the significance of the Great Charter?The
10、 Great Charter, or the Magna Carta, was document signed in 1215 between the barons and king John. It had altogether 63 clauses. 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 po
11、wers 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. 6. Why did the Restoration take place? When Oliver Cormwell died in 1658 and was succeeded by his son, Richard, the regime began to co
12、llapse. One of Cromwells 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 kings son to return from his exile in France as king Charles II. It was called the Restoration. 7. What is a constitut
13、ional 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 Majestys Government a body of Ministers who are th
14、e 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, and constitutional monarchy, of a monarchy with powe
15、r limited by Parliament began. 8. 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 cro
16、wn and the “supreme governor” of the established church of England. 9. 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. 10. Why is the United States regarded as a “melting pot” or a “sala
