英美概况考试重点.doc

英国 名词解释：1、 The Commonwealth of nations is a free association of independent countries that were once colonies of Britain. It was founded in 1931 and has 50 member countries until 1991. 英联邦是独立的前英国殖民地组成的自由联合体。它成立于1931年至1991年止已有50个成员国。 The Norman Conquest 1066 诺曼征服公元1066年 Reasons for William‘s invasion of England after Edward‘s death. 威廉在爱德华死后入侵英国的原因。 It was said that King Edward had promised the English throne to William but the Witan chose Harold as king. So William led his army to invade England. In October 1066 during the important battle of Hastings William defeated Harold and killed him. One Christmas Day William was crowned king of England thus beginning the Norman Conquest of England. 据说爱德华国王曾答应把英格兰王位传给诺曼底公爵威廉但是贤人会议挑选了哈罗德为国王。公元1066年10月在哈斯丁斯附近的激烈交锋中威廉打败了哈罗德军队同时哈罗德也在此战争中战死。在圣诞节加冕成为英国国王从此开始了诺曼征服。 3. The Black Death 黑死病 The Black Death is the modern name given to the deadly bubonic plague, an epidemic disease spread by rat fleas across Europe in the 14th century. It swept through England in the summer of 1348. It killed about one third of people in Europe. 4.The Glorious Revolution of 1688 光荣革命In 1685 Charles II died and was succeeded by his brother James II. James was brought up in exile in Europe, was a Catholic. He hoped to rule without giving up his personal religious views. But England was no more tolerant of a Catholic king in 1688 than 40 years ago. So the English politicians rejected James II, and appealed to a Protestant king, William of Orange, to invade and take the English throne. William landed in England in 1688. The takeover was relatively smooth, with no bloodshed, nor any execution of the king. This was known as the Glorious Revolution. 1685年查尔斯二世去世，由其弟詹姆斯二世继位。詹姆斯二世从小在欧洲流亡长大，是个天主教徒，他希望不放弃个人宗教信仰统治国家。但是1688的英国已不象40年前那样能容忍天主教徒当国王了。英国政客反对詹姆斯二世，他们呼吁信奉新教的国王，奥兰治亲王威谦入侵英国夺取王位。1688年11月15日威廉在托尔比登陆并占领伦敦。这一占领相对平静，既未流血也未处死国王，所以就称为“光荣革命”。 5、The Industrial Revolution 工业革命(1780-1830) The industrial Revolution refers to the mechanization of industry and the cons