Unit 2 A Brief Introduction to the United Kingdom II.doc

此文档收集于网络，如有侵权，请联系网站删除Unit 2 A Brief Introduction to the United Kingdom II -Northern Ireland (英国简介II-北爱尔兰)一、本单元重点内容1. Population and physical features of Northern Ireland (北爱尔兰的人口和地理特征)2. Economy of Northern Ireland (北爱尔兰的经济)3. The Home Rule Bill (自治法案) 4. The Easter Rising of 1916 (1916年复活节起义)5. The Sinn Fein Party (新芬党)6. Religious conflicts between the Irish and the British (爱尔兰人和不列颠人之间的宗教冲突)7. Partition of Ireland in 1921 (1921年爱尔兰的分裂)8. Troubles and Solutions (冲突与解决办法)9. Cooperation between the British and Irish governments (英国政府和爱尔兰政府之间的合作)10. The Good Friday Agreement (北爱和平协议)二、本单元重、难点辅导1. Population and physical features of Northern Ireland 1) often called Ulster, smallest of the 4 (in area $ population)2) 1.5 million people, smaller than many Chinese cities3) capital: Belfast, the biggest city in the province, east coast4) mostly rural, low hills, beautiful lake district in the south-west, rugged coastline, including its most famous landmark, the Giants Causeway(巨型长堤)2. Economy1) has problems: ) partly because the troubles discouraging investment partly because of its peripherality (周边) in relation to the UK2) wealth per head is the lowest of UK3) living costs are comparatively low4) Industrial companies include the aircraft manufacturers.3. Home Rule Bill (自治法案)From 1801 to 1921, the full name of UK was “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland”, because the whole island of Ireland was politically integrated with Great Britain. But due to Irish desires for an independent Irish state, a campaign in parliament for “Home-rule” was launched, and the Home Rule Bill was finally passed in 1914.4. Guerilla or terrorist activities against the British institutions and the British military forces1) The Easter Rising of 1916 (复活节起义)-the rebels occupied Dublins Post Office and forced the British to take it back by military force. The leaders of the rebellion were executed by the British authorities.2) the Sinn Fein Party- a legal political party, supporters of the Irish terrorists; support the IRAs right to fight by a twin campaign, both political and military which they call the policy of “the Bullet and the Ballot Box” (暴力和民主手段)5. the religious conflicts between the Irish and the British - Ireland was not invaded by the Romans or the Anglo-Saxons- most Irish are Catholics; most Britis are Protestants- In the 17th C., people emigrated from Scotland and Northern England to the northof Ireland. The peoples of this part thought of themselves as British, and wished to remain a part of the British state. They were Protestants.6. A partition of Ireland in 1921A compromise: the Southern 26 counties- an independent “free state” (the Republic of Ireland)The 6 north-eastern counties- a part of the UK.* End 700 years of British rule in southern IrelandNorthern Ireland was given its own Parliament to deal with Northern Irish internal affairs, based at Stormont. (斯多蒙特)7. Troubles and solutionsThe majority, the Protestants controlled the local democratically- elected parliament and used that power to support their own economic and social dominance in the province. 40% of the population were Catholic Irish, who found it harder to get jobs, or to benefit from social programmes such as public housing. The armed conflict “troubles” developed.1) a Civil Rights Movement (北爱民权运动)In 1960s, Catholics often marched in the streets and fought for equality.2) the presence of British soldiers on Northern Ireland since 1969- first to protect the Catholic people, later were seen as the symbol of British rule in Northern Ireland.3) IRAs violence in the 1970s (IRA: Irish Republic Army爱尔兰共和军，unofficially paramilitary force) set up in 1919, Official IRA(正式派): concentrate on a political process, run candidates for election split in 1969 Provisional IRA(临时派): felt armed force was the only way IRA bombed and shot security forces and city-centers in 1970s. Protestants took revenge on Catholics *Result: Northern Irish cities were divided into exclusively Protestant and exclusively Catholic areas. Two communities hardly mix at all.4) Bloody Sunday (血腥星期日，1972/1/30)In 1972, 468 people were killed in Northern Ireland, of whom 13 were Catholics who had been taking part in a peaceful civil rights march. It is an important symbol of British oppression.*Result: strengthen Catholic opposition to the British presence. 5) the Power-Sharing mechanism 1973, an agreement of a Power-Sharing mechanism was reached, allowing the minority Catholic political influence. The Protestant majority was outraged and went on strike, leading to the collapse of it. The Northern Irish parliament was suspended and replaced by “direct-rule” from London until now6) cooperation between the British and Irish governmentsIn 1985, the Anglo-Irish agreement was signed between the two governments, giving the Irish a right to consultation on Northern Irish matters.7) IRAs refusal to hand over their weapons In August 1994, the IRA declared a ceasefire. To make the Sinn Fein presence at the talks acceptable to Unionist politicians, the British government asked the IRA to hand over at least some of its weapons to show it seriousness. The IRA refused, and in February 1996, they set off two explosions in London. *Result: The future for Northern Ireland is still in doubt8. The Good Friday Agreement (北爱和平协议)As a result of multi-party negotiations, the Good Friday Agreement was approved on 10 April 1998. This agreement assures the loyalist community that Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom and it wont change its political status unless the majority of the people of Northern Ireland agree. Under the terms of the agre