The British Isles are made up of two countries: the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK). The Celts first arrived in 450 BC, settling in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Later, the Angles, Saxons, and Vikings established small kingdoms from the 400s to 1000s AD. The Normans subsequently conquered England in the 11th century. The UK's strong economy and navy allowed it to build a vast global empire. However, independence movements in Ireland and other colonies weakened the UK in the 1900s. Today, tensions continue in Northern Ireland between the Protestant majority and Catholic minority over whether the region should remain part of the UK or join the Republic of Ireland.

1. The British Isles

2.  Made up off 2 countries
 Republic of Ireland & United Kingdom (England,
Scotland, Wales, & Northern Ireland)
 Celts
 1st to reach British Isles in 450 B.C.
 Settled Wales, Scotland, & Ireland
 Angles, Saxons, and Vikings est. small kingdoms
 Came to British Isles from A.D. 400s to 1000s
 Came from Germany & Denmark
 Normans
 Came from northern France
 Conquered England & est. strong kingdom
 England grew in strength and power (became world power)

3.  Strong economy and navy help
build vast Empire for England
 Colonies est. in Americas,
India, & Australia
 Later in Africa and Asia
 1700s & 1800s
 U.K. became economic power
 Was cradle of Industrial
Revolution
 Supplies of coal & iron & labor
force promoted industries to grow
 Early Industries: powered by
coal
 Textiles
 Shipbuilding
 Iron & later steel production
 1840s food shortage in Ireland
 Lack of support from England
caused tensions

4.  World Wars & Economic competition
 Weakened U.K. in 1900s
 Ireland wanted independence
 All but Northern Ireland in 1949
 Colonies wanted independence
 Most of colonies after WWII

5.  British rule of much of world has influenced
government, people and popular culture
around the world

6.  Constitutional monarchy
 A type of democracy in which a king or queen serves as
head of state but a legislature makes the laws
 Monarchs power limited in Middle Ages
 Magna Carta: limited the powers of kings and required
everyone to obey the law
 Today:
 Prime Minister leads gov’t and has elected Parliament
 Republic of Ireland
 President is head of state
 Limited powers, but appoints Prime Minister
 Parliament and Prime Minister run gov’t

7.  Common culture traits
 Common heritage (Celts, Angles, and Saxons)
 Soccer and Rugby
 Unique Id
 Irish: Roman Catholic, speak Gaelic
 Scotland: wear kilts & play bagpipes
 Immigrants from former British colonies add to
rich culture

8.  Influences people all over globe
 English: language of business, education, and the
Internet
 Music & literature: U2, Beatles, and Shakespeare

9.  Challenges:
 Bringing peace to Northern Ireland
 Maintain powerful economy

10.  Problems dates back many years
 1500s Protestants from England and Scotland settled
Northern Ireland
 Soon outnumbered Irish Catholics
 Protestants chose to remain part of U.K.
 Catholics in Northern Ireland believe they have not been
treated fairly & want to unite with Republic of Ireland
 Two sides have waged bitter struggle for years

11.  Among Europe’s strongest
 London: capital of U.K. And center for world
trade and industry
 North Sea: energy reserves (oil and natural gas)
 Ireland: computer equipment & software
 Service Industries: banking, tourism, and
insurance

12.  Protestant majority & Roman Catholic minority
have bitterly fought each other
 Many deaths
 Catholics: believe they have not been treated fairly &
want to join Roman Catholic Republic of Ireland
 Protestants: fear becoming minority; want to remain
part of U.K.
 Peace talks continue today