[英语学习]Unit 3 The Government of the United Kingdom.pptVIP

Unit 3 The Government of the United Kingdom The process of state-building has been one of evolution rather than revolution. The Government of the United Kingdom I. The Monarchy II. The Parliament III. The Birth of the Prime Minister and Cabinet IV. The British Government Today I. The Monarchy 1. King Egbert 2. Divine Right of Kings 3. The Great Charter/ Magna Carta 4. Civil wars in England King Egbert First king of all England Reigning from 820-839 Grandfather of Alfred the Great. Divine Right of Kings It means that the king’s right is given by God and not by people. The king is “absolute”. He can do whatever he wants to do, and no one is allowed to criticize him. The Great Charter/ Magna Carta 1. the causes 2. the provisions 3. the significance The causes Three great crusades (三次十字军东征） Financial Problems of the king Confrontation between King John and his barons in 1215 The king was forced to put his seal to the Charter on June 19, 1215. King John The baron complained that the king had failed to protect the Norman lands form the advances of the French King, and that he had imposed high taxes, undermined the power of the feudal courts and taken for himself the fines which had previously been part of the barons’ income. The king rejected the baron’s demands but was forced to make peace after a show of force. The king was forced to sign the Magna Carta The provisions The king must promise to observe the rights of his vassals and the vassals in turn must observe the rights of their men. The merchant is not to be deprived of his goods for small offenses, nor the farmers of this wagon and implements. No tax should be levied in the kingdom without the consent of the Great Council. No free man shall be imprisoned or banished or punished in any way, unless convicted by a jury of his fellow citizens. The significance The Great Charter has been regarded as “the corner stone” of English history. (1) the first step of constitutional expe