The Prime Minister
After Queen Anne Parliament chose German prince, George I to became the king.
He was Anne’s closest Protestant relative.
George did not speak English well so he needed to rely on his ministers.
the most important minister became the Prime Minister and the first Prime Minister was Robert Walpole (from 1721 to 1742).
The Rebellion of the Clans
In 1745 there was another attempt to reinstall Stuart king on the throne.
He was called Bonnie Prince Charlie – Charles Edward Stuart.
Scottish clans supported him but he was finally defeated by George’s II army (Battle of Culloden, 1746).
Charles escaped to Europe.
After Culloden battle, clans lost their power influence.
“Highland Clearances” started & many small farms (crofts) were destroyed to be replaced by large flocks of cattle and sheep.
There were lots of evictions up to early 19 century and many Scottish people left Scotland for American colonies.
Famous Scottish poet of the time was Robert Burns (1759- 96) known as “The Bard”.
He wrote poems in English and “Scot” language, he was rewriting old folk songs like the best known Auld Lang Syne or Hogmanay.
The Enlightenment
18 century brought new ideas about politics, science and philosophy.
This new movement was called Enlightenment and many famous representatives of this movement in Great Britain were Scottish people.
We can give an example of Adam Smith, famous economist or David Hume who add new ideas about human nature to the philosophy.
Others were scientists like James Watt who was dealing with steam power and help in development of the Industrial Revolution in England.
One of the most important ideas of Enlightenment was thought that all people have right to their own political opinions and religious beliefs and the state should not interfere with that beliefs.
This is a major principle in modern Britain too.
The Industrial Revolution
Before 18 century most of people were employed in agriculture in Britain and most of goods was crafted by hand.
The Industrial Revolution was a rapid industrialisation on a large scale what took place in 18 & 19 centuries.
Britain was a first country which experienced this fast development thanks to new machinery and use of steam power.
Both manufacturing and agriculture mechanised what made production more efficient and increased.
To power new factories there was a need for coal and other raw materials so people from country side started working in coal mines and in factories.
Shipbuilding industry and railways were developing fast thanks to invention of so called Bessemer process for a mass production of steel.
Manufacturing became the main source of employment in Great Britain, even for children.
Children were often employed in coal mains and textile factories.
Handbook mentions Richard Arkwright as a famous textiles manufacturer who improved the original carding machine, using first horses and later steam engine to power machines.
Carding is a process of preparing fibres for spinning into yarn and fabric.
His factories were efficiently operated and brought him large profits.
To transport raw material to factories faster, lots of canals was built especially in industrial areas of middle and north England.
Working conditions was very poor and there were no laws which could protect employees.
Industrial revolution was also a time of expansion of British overseas colonies.
Britain gain control over Australia, Canada and large part of India.
There were also colonies in south Africa.
Britain traded with many countries importing goods like tobacco, textiles, tea and spices.
Trading and settling overseas brought Britain into conflict with other countries, especially with France.
Fun fact – first curry house was opened in Britain in 1810 by Sake Dean Mahomet and his wife.
They also brought to England an Indian art of “shampooing” or head massage.
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