[英语学习]unit6 foreign policy.pptVIP

Unit 6 British Empire The British Empire was a product of the Age of Discovery, which began with the maritime explorations of the 15th century, that sparked the era of the European colonial empires. By 1921, the British Empire held sway over a population of about 458 million people, approximately one-quarter of the worlds population. It covered about 36.7 million km2 (14.2 million square miles),about a quarter of Earths total land area. the Collapse of BE First British Empire (1583–1783) 1 Americas, Africa and the slave trade 2 Rivalry with the Netherlands in Asia 3 Global struggles with France Second British Empire (1783–1815) 1 Company rule in India 2 Loss of the Thirteen American Colonies 3 Exploration of the Pacific 4 War with Napoleonic France 5 Abolition of slavery Britains imperial century (1815–1914) 1 East India Company in Asia 2 Rivalry with Russia 3 Cape to Cairo 4 Changing status of the white colonies Foreign and Commonwealth Office The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, commonly called the Foreign Office or the FCO, is the British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom overseas, created in 1968 by merging the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office. The head of the FCO is the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, commonly abbreviated to Foreign Secretary (currently David Miliband). This position is regarded as one of the three most prestigious appointments in the cabinet, alongside those of Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary. Together with the Prime Minister, these comprise the Great Offices of State. Foreign relations of the United Kingdom The United Kingdom (UK) is a key player in international politics, with interests throughout the world. The former British Empire, notably through its successor, the Commonwealth of Nations, links the UK with many of the worlds nations in one way or another. The UK has also exported its parliamentary style government, le