Extrait textuel du cours :Mailleux L. 2025-2026 LENG1225 British Cultural History Introduction to British history and geography Definition of culture Culture is often considered to be one of the most complicated words in English. The first definition was relative to cultivation and the management of crops and animals. It later changed to refer to the process of humans’ social and intellectual development. The term ‘culture’ share similarities with the one of ‘civilization’, however, ‘civilization’ admits the existence of its antonym, ‘barbarism’. Culture does not hold this aspect of a superior culture or a universal goal like ‘civilization’ implies with its contrary. Culture is more local and egalitarian, we can define it as more of a “way of life” connected to certain nations, periods, etc. To what refers British/English-speaking culture? The subject of studies is vast and clearly needs to be specified. English-speaking culture could refer to many things, one of which includes England, Wales, Scotland and (Northern) Ireland. It could also refer to a larger sector known as the anglosphere, UK, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, US. This second denomination comes from the five eyes alliance, in which those five countries would share sensible information. Other possibilities are that it refers to most of the globe (since english is the 2 nd most spoken language), or even the Commonwealth of Nations (composed of former colonies that are still in collaboration, 1/3 of the globe). For this course the focus will be on the history and culture of Britain and the world. Geography of Britain 1 Brexit and brexit culture The place of the UK in the European Union In 1972 the UK joins European economic community . Already at that time, people are unsure about joining, but after a referendum in 1970 who turns out positive, the UK joins the EU. But from the beginning the United Kingdom differs from the EU concerning some decisions, and when the members start moving towards one unified currency, Britain does not follow. In 1992 , the treaty of Maastricht marks the day of which the EU becomes not only economic but political as well. This sudden shift from a simple platform for economic collaboration to a whole political alliance scares the UK who fears a loss of sovereignty. This caused the creation of the political party UKIP, United Kingdom independence party . After a referendum in 2016 which obtained a majority of ‘leave’, the UK finally leaves the EU in 2021 . This, supposedly, is the beginning of Global Britain. After the referendum and since then, we observe two groups: the leavers and the remainders. But there is an economic cost in leaving the EU, this event has caused turmoil and dwindling support in the UK. Also, after the invasion of Ukraine, the UK agreed to military collaboration with the European Union. The country is unlikely to return soon yet keeps close link with the continent. The UKIP now switched to Reform UK . 2 The causes of Brexit ==> Brexit and UK/EU relations + fears of immigration For the leavers, they were multiple reason to leave the union, those are: 1) EU was expensive and developed unnecessary rules 2) To “take back control of immigration”, it, at first, targeted low-skilled workers from Eastern Europe but then extended to refugees during the refugee crises. Today, we see the trend of “raise the colour”, based on a manipulated rumour of an English flag being taken down, this trend shows itself to be racist and anti-immigration However, when the referendum was done, there were countless debates about what leaving the EU would look like, and for a reason since the...
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