Which political and economic factors caused the change of Britain’s position in the world in the 20th century? 3. Outline:

a. the developments in Ireland in the 19th and 20th centuries, and English attempts to conquer Ireland in

previous centuries;

b. the development of parliamentary government in Britain in the course of centuries, and the growth and

development of the main political parties;

c. the economic developments in the 19th and 20th centuries;

d. the creation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;

e. the development of the British Empire and its change into the Commonwealth, explaining the difference

between the two;

f. the foreign policies that Britain pursued in the 19th and 20th centuries, explaining the reasons why Britain

embarked on each of them.

4. Questions for reflection:

a. Which of the reforms carried out in the 19th and 20th centuries do you consider the most important and

why?

b. Why do you think so many reforms were carried out in the 19th century?

c. Do you think that the internal policies pursued by Mrs Thatcher were beneficial or harmful for the UK? Give

reasons for your answer.