The Modern History of Britain

Early 20th century

When Edward VII (1841-1910) succeeded Queen Victoria, the royal family no
longer had the power to choose ministers or determine policies; the responsibility
and power to lead and run the country were transferred to the prime minister. There
is not much real power left, but King Edward VII is still prestigious. He and the
government have created a happy life for the people. In 1931, the Statute of
Westminster granted equal status to the self-governing dominions of the United
Kingdom, creating the concept of the Commonwealth.
World War I (1914-1918)
Britain entered the war in 1914, initially with a sense of patriotic fervor. However,
the conflict quickly became a brutal and devastating stalemate. The war saw new
forms of warfare, such as trench warfare and the use of chemical weapons. The
Battle of the Somme in 1916, where British forces suffered heavy casualties,
remains a significant event in British military history.
Battles took place in many places, perhaps this was the first time the British people
The country suffered the most loss and pain. 750,000 British soldiers died in the
trenches of the conflict within four years of its inception. In 1916 alone, the
mothers of the land of the mists suffered the pain of losing 19,000 of their children
in the first battle of the Somme. It was also the most devastating war Britain had
participated in since the Battle of Waterloo a century ago.
There was a rather important event at the end of the first world war that the
Government enacted the right to vote for women. At the same time, women are
also equal to men when working in factories. That result was partly due to Mrs.
Pankhurst's fighting activities in expanding the limits of voting rights for women in
1918 and equality for them in 1928.

After World War I, the labor movement was strong. The working class began to
form unions to improve labor relations. In May 1928, a group of 2 million workers
went on strike demanding higher wages and reduced working hours. The big strike
was not successful, but it was also an impetus for the improvement of workers'
lives later.
In the 30s of the 20th century, unemployment in the UK tended to increase.
Furthermore, the islanders have not yet escaped the horrifying haunts of World
War I and are faced with a new, more terrible threat. It is fascism with a plot for
global domination. As Führer, Hitler consolidated Germany's military power with
tremendous speed in order to restore world war. Great Britain did not submit, but
at this time also did not have enough money to compete with Germany in military
equipment. As a result, Germany expanded too far, igniting war by invading
Poland. Because of the treaty with Poland, Britain was forced to declare war on
Germany. In 1939, the Second World War began.
World War II (1939 – 1945)
At the beginning of World War II, the British army in continental Europe, with
many difficulties, was soon defeated by the ferocious Nazi Germany. Then the
colonial system established by the islanders also collapsed. With the Second World
War, Great Britain paid the most expensive price ever.
The UK also suffered many losses, with both military and civilian casualties
exceeding 900,000 people. At the end of the war, a Labor government was elected,
pledging to implement a full social welfare program “from cradle to grave”, along
with nationalization of industry. Health services were socialized, other social
services were expanded, and many industries were placed under public ownership.
However, nationalization was stopped when the Conservative Party returned to
power in 1951.
Decolonization and the End of the Empire
- Process and consequences of decolonization: India's independence in 1947, the
partition of British India into India and Pakistan, the African independence
movements in the 1950s and 1960s
- Legacy of British imperialism and debates surrounding the end of the empire: the
impact of colonial rule on the colonies, the economic and political challenges faced
by newly independent nations, and discussions on the ethics of empire
European Integration and Brexit
- Britain's entry into the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973:
advantages of being part of the EU, such as access to a larger market and political
stability
- Debates and challenges in the country's relationship with the EU: concerns over
sovereignty, economic integration, and immigration
- Brexit referendum in 2016 and decision to leave the EU: reasons for the vote,
ongoing negotiations, and implications for the future of Britain and its relationship
with Europe
Thatcherism and Social Changes
- Policies and impact of Margaret Thatcher's government (Thatcherism): free-
market principles, privatization of industries, trade union reforms
- Economic reforms and reshaping of British society: emphasis on individual
choice and responsibility, deregulation, and reduction of the role of the state
- Social and cultural changes in Britain: the Swinging Sixties, youth-driven
counterculture, fashion, music, and the influence of the punk and rave movements