Text 2 Political groups (the 19-th century)

Vocabulary

advocate [‘ædvәkәt] — защищать

property [‘propәti] — собственность

owner [‘әunә] — собственник, владелец

сampaign for [kæm’pein] — проводить кампанию за

moderate [‘modәrәt] — умеренный

split [split] — раскол

At the beginning of the century there were three political groups: the Whigs, the Tories and the Radicals (a term first used in the 18th century to describe anyone advocating fundamental political or social reforms). Until 1858 all MPs had to be property owners (and before 1911 they were unpaid). As a result Parliament was dominated by the upper classes. The working classes could not vote and had limited political power. Only the Radicals campaigned for widespread social and electoral reform. Most Toreis wanted the parliamentary system to stay as it was, and the Wigs only supported moderate change.

In the second half of the century two new parties appeared: the Liberal Party, which was formed in 1859 after the split in the Tory party, and the Independent Labour Party, which was formed in 1893 by and for the working classes, and was set up and renamed the Labour Party in 1906.

Task 1. Answer the questions to the text:

1. What basic differences can be found in the political outlook of the three political groups of Tories, Whigs and Radicals?

2. What new parties appeared in Britain in the second half of the 19-th century?

Task 2. Say whether each sentence true or false is:

1. At the beginning of the century there were three political groups: The Whigs, The Tories and the Radicals.

2. Until 1858 all MPs had to be property owners.

3. As a result Parliament was dominated by the lower classes.

4. The working classes could vote and had extended political power.

5. Most Tories didn’t want the parliamentary system to stay as it was.

6. The Liberal Party was formed in 1860.

7. The Independent Labour Party was set up and renamed the Labour Party in 1906.

Task 3. Use some sentences to express the main idea of the text. Say about your liking or disliking the text in general.

Text 3

International Relations in the second half of the 20-th century

Vocabulary

former [‘fo:mә ] — бывший

deteriorate [di’tiәriәreit] — ухудшаться

in response [ in ri’spons] — в ответ

gain independence [gein ,indi’pendәns] — завоевать независимость

loose [lu:s] — свободный

the (British) Commonwealth (of Nations) [ðә ‘briti∫ ‘komәnwelӨ әv ‘nei∫nz] — (Британское) Содружество (Наций)

in favour of [in ‘feivә ov] — в пользу

withdraw (withdrew, withdrawn) [wið ‘dro:] — выводить (войска), уходить

subsequent [‘s٨bsikwәnt] — последующий

root [ru:t] — корень

shareholder [‘∫eә,hәuldә ] — держатель акций, акционер

peacekeeping [pi:s ‘ki:piŋ ] — миротворческий, примирительный

After WW2 relations between the former allies deteriorated. Two centers of power emerged: the USA and its allies in western Europe, and the USSR and its allies in eastern Europe. In 1949 the western allies set up the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), by which they agreed to defend each other in case of attack. In response, the USSR and its allies formed the Warsaw Pact in 1955. The hostility without open conflict that existed between these two powers is known as the Cold War.

Tension began to ease in the 1970s and since the mid-1980s both sides have been more willing to improve relations and to reduce nuclear arms.

In 1956 the Egyptian government nationalized the Suez Canal without consulting the British and the French, who were major shareholders. They sent troops to Egypt to protect their interests. In October 1956 Britain and France bombed Cairo and captured Port Said in Egypt but international pressure forced them to withdraw. On November 23, 1956 a ceasefire was declared after strong US and UN pressure and the Anglo-French troops were withdrawn. This is known as the Suez Crisis.

The European Economic Community (EEC), also called the Common Market, was set up in 1957 to promote and regulate trade between its members (since 1993 called European Community /EC/, the organization plans to create closer links between its members; the EC is now the principal organization within the European Union). Britain was afraid that EEC rules would restrict British trade with the Commonwealth and did not join it until 1973 (in August 1961 Britain applied for European Community membership, however, it was vetoed by France; in 1967 Britain made another application for EU membership which was again dismissed; in January 1972 Britain’s EU membership was approved; and, finally, in 1973 the United Kingdom and Ireland joined).

In Palestine tension had grown since 1917, Britain declared itself in favour of creating a national home there for the Jewish people. In 1920 the country came under British control. In the 1920s and 1930s many Jews settled in Palestine. Tension between native Arabs and Jewish immigrants led to war in 1946. The British withdrew in 1948, and the Jewish state of Israel was created within Palestine. Arab resentment of subsequent Israeli expansion is the root of many current problems in the Middle East.

After WW2 the process called decolonization took place. In 1947 India became the first country to gain independence, after a campaign by the Congress Party, led by Mahatma Gandhi.

During the early 1960s a number of British overseas colonies were granted independence. Between 1957 (Ghana) and 1968 (Swaziland) all African countries except Rhodesia became independent. Most of the former colonies have remained in a loose association with Britain called Commonwealth. In 1980 Rhodesia became independent as Zimbabwe.

In 1982 there was a brief undeclared war with Argentina over the control of the Falkland Islands and associated island dependencies. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher converted widespread patriotic support into a victory for her Conservative Party in that year’s parliamentary election.

In 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait. In January 1991, with the consent of the United Nations, several countries, including Britain sent troops to the Gulf to force the Iraqis out. Iraq withdrew in March 1991.

On August 18, 1992 the government announced plans to send some 1,800 peacekeeping troops to the former Yugoslavia and in 1993 a further 1,200 troops were sent there.

Task 1. Answer the questions to the text:

1. What were the relations between the countries of the former anti-Hitler coalition in the second half of the 20-th century?

2. What countries stepped in the process of decolonization after the close of WW II?

3. What type of relations with its former colonies did Britain retain after their gaining independence?

4. What was the role of Britain in the establishment of the state of Israel?

5. What did the Suez Crisis demonstrate?

6. What conflicts on the basis of the balance of power in the world did Britain take part in at the close of the century?

Тask 2. Match the parts to build either sentences or word expressions:

Two centers of power settled in Palestine

The North Atlantic Treaty Pact

To reduce nuclear was declared

In 1956 the Egyptian government emerged

The European Community were granted independence

In the 1920 and 1930s many Jews The Suez Canal

During the early 1960s a number of

British overseas colonies independent as Zimbabwe

In 1980 Rhodesia became the principal organization within the European Union

On November 23, 1956 a ceasefire arms

The Warsaw Organization

In 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait

Task 3. Divide the text into parts, entitle each part and try to retell the text in brief.