新版“英语国家概况”精讲笔记(8)

2．Three Reform Bills(1832-1884)三个改革法案

Between 1832 and 1884 three Reform Bills were passed.1832年至1884年间通过了三个改革法案。

a) The Reform Act of 1832 (also called the ―Greater Charter of 1832) abolished ―rotten boroughs‖, and redistributed parliamentary seats more fairly among the growing towns. It also gave the vote to many householders and tenants, based on the

value of their property. b) The New Poor Law of 1834 forced the poor people into work houses instead of giving them sufficient money to survive in their own homes. 1834年的新济贫法强迫穷人进工厂，而没有给他们足够的钱在自己的家里谋生。

3．A People‘s Charter人民宪章

There was widespread dissatisfaction with the Reform Act of 1832 and the New Poor Law. In 1836, a group of skilled workers and small shopkeepers formed the London Working Men‘s Association. They drew up a charter of political demands (a People‘s Charter) in 1838, with the intention of presenting it to Parliament. It had six points: (1)the vote for all adult males; (2)voting by secret ballot; (3)equal electoral districts; (4)abolition of property

qualifications for members of Parliament; (5)payment of members of

Parliament; (6)annual Parliaments, with a General Election every June. 4．Results of the Chartist Movement宪章运动的结果。 Chartism failed because of its weak and divided leadership, and its lack of coordination

with trade-unionism. The working class still immature, without the leadership of a political party armed with correct

revolutionary theory. The Chartist movement was, however, the first nationwide working class movement and drew attention to serious problems. The 6 points were achieved very gradually over the period of 1858-1918, although the sixth has never been practical. Lenin said that Chartism was ― the first broad, really mass, politically formed, proletarian revolutionary movement.‖ II. Colonial Expansion殖民地扩张

1. The growth of dominions自治领的兴起

English colonial expansion began with the colonization of Newfoundland in 1583. Encouraged by Britain‘s control of the

seas, especially by the rising tide of emigration, British colonialists stepped up their expansion to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, in the late 18th and the early 19th centuries. By 1900, Britain had built up a big empire, ―on which the sun never set‖. It consisted of a vast number of

protectorates, Crown colonies, spheres of influence, and self-governing dominions. It included 25% of the world‘s population and area.

Canada was ceded to Britain by the 1763 Treaty of Paris. French rights were guaranteed by the Quebec Act of 1774. The Canada Act of 1791 divided Canada into Upper Canada where the British had settled, and Lower Canada populated by the French. The British North America Act of 1867 established Canada as a dominion.1763年签订的

English began to transport convicts to Australia in 1788. Free settlement began in 1816, and no convicts were sent to Australia after 1840. The gold rushes (1851-1892) brought more people to Australia, and in 1901 the six self-governing were united in one dominion-the independent Commonwealth of Australia.1788年英国人开始把囚犯流放到 New Zealand became a separate colony of Britain in 1841, achieved

self-government in 1852, became a dominion under the British crown in 1907 and was made completely independent in 1931.1841年新西兰成为独立殖民地 ，1852年实现自治，1907年成为英皇属下的自治领，1931年完全独立。 1. The Conquest of