The Ask Shauni about England Thread

[shauni]

Does Britain have any knights in the since of soldiers? Of course you know I don't mean knights in shining armor wielding swords and slaying dragons, but I'm just curious.

*imagines if George Patton was from England so he would be called Sir Patton.*

Well, the current ranks in the british army can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Ar ... k_insignia

We don't use the term "Knight", however, people can still be "knighted" by the Queen in the British honours system. it is a reward given by the Queen herself, an offical "Sir Knighted" title. Nothing more than ceremony really.

[shauni]

Also, how much history from other countries, mainly America, is taught to students in Britain?

We mostly study World War 1 and 2 so we do learn about most countries. Other country’s are studied, but not to great detail. We did learn about Pearl Harber and USA's involment in the war. At a very early age we covered the american war with england, but mostly about the english side.

We mostly learn the history that relates to England, like the relationship we had/ have with that country. I am working of ten year old information here though. This is what I was taught, and I don’t have any kids so I don’t know the current curriculum.

I did however study the Wall Street Crash at higher education in collage, and threw a personal interest studied the foundation of amercia, but if I hadn't, all I'd know about america would relate to world war 2.

[Josiah]

That brings up something I've been wondering about. What do the British think of America's war for independence? Good thing? Bad thing? Still upset about it?

[shauni]

That brings up something I've been wondering about. What do the British think of America's war for independence? Good thing? Bad thing? Still upset about it?

Well...I don't really have an opinion on the war of independence, it was a different era. No one ever seems to talk about it. Just history here, but considering we lost, I guess we just try to forget about it. In fact, most people don’t even know you were fighting England. Consider that at the time, the United Kingdom was starting to fall apart, so it was just one more battle to most I gues.

Sorry for my crappy answer, but there really isn't any feeling towards the war of independence over here.

[Metalheadz]

I don't think it's best to talk about what they feel about wars. For example, World War 2, so many people lost their lives, and Germany for example, don't ever wanna mention it. Besides, Germany is an amazing country with very friendly people these days.

Anyways, Shauni, what's the diet of an average British person?

[Giga-Gar]

Yeah Shauni, I guess I can say the same for over here. The only thing we know about Britain is that we fought our Revolutionary War against you, we stole some industrial secrets to start the industrial revolution(ok, maybe we didn't always have our American ingenuity), you didn't recognize The Confederate Sates of America because you stockpiled on cotton before the American Civil War and didn't need them, and we fought both world wars with you. The only class we learn about Britain is the British Literature class.

Anyway, here's my question. Because your constitution isn't codified like ours is, how do you teach students what the unwritten portions of your constitution if it it's...well...unwritten?

Also, how long is a Prime Minister's term in office and how many terms can he have?

[Josiah]

Am I the only one who had world history? Must have had at least a couple years of it back in junior high and high school... Of course, some countries were covered only briefly (like Japan) but I did learn quite a lot about European history. Not sure how much I can remember, but I did learn it.

Also, while this isn't the thread to discuss it, I want to point out to WS that World War II and the American War of Independence have almost nothing in common (other than being wars). And there's nothing wrong with talking about wars. "Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it," and all that.

[Metalheadz]

Am I the only one who had world history? Must have had at least a couple years of it back in junior high and high school... Of course, some countries were covered only briefly (like Japan) but I did learn quite a lot about European history. Not sure how much I can remember, but I did learn it.

Also, while this isn't the thread to discuss it, I want to point out to WS that World War II and the American War of Independence have almost nothing in common (other than being wars). And there's nothing wrong with talking about wars. "Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it," and all that.

World History? I can't wait to take that block. I'm hoping to learn history about England and Japan.

I'm only saying don't mention the wars in front of certain kinds of people. For example, that'd be hurtful if you talk about Hitler in front of a German person, I'm sure he wouldn't enjoy such a conversation.

[Josiah]

Once again, not the place to get into a discussion on it, but ignore parts of our history we're not proud of isn't a good way to go about things. That famous quote I put in my last post is very true. Of course, tact is important when discussing certain things with certain people, but just ignoring issues entirely isn't the right way to go. And that's my last comment on the matter in this thread. If someone wants to discuss the matter further, they can make a thread for it in a more appropriate section of the forums.

[Metalheadz]

Alright, anyways...

Do you wear school uniforms in the UK?

[shauni]

Anyways, Shauni, what's the diet of an average British person?

Crap apparently.

Other countries seem to think our food is awful.

The national dish is Fish and chips http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_and_chips

I’d suggest you watch the film 51st State, and see Samuel Jackson opinion on our food. I personally try to eat a healthy diet (I say try, I do indulged WAY too much), but chips are a very common dish. Indian and Chinese food is also very popular, as well as pizza. Not many other varieties of restaurants, but we do have ONE sushi bar I have access to, and other world food.

We also don’t put chesse on EVERYTHING.

[shauni]

Anyway, here's my question. Because your constitution isn't codified like ours is, how do you teach students what the unwritten portions of your constitution if it it's...well...unwritten?

Also, how long is a Prime Minister's term in office and how many terms can he have?

As you say, there is no one constitution. Parliament can change the constitution simply by passing new Acts of Parliament. It is not taught in schools as one subject. We learn about how the system of law works, about the parliament structure and all that. The basic laws at the time are taught, and we learn how "acts" are passed, and about the relationship between the house of parliament and the house of lords. To be honist, it is a weeks study a second education. It can't really to taught as it is not to easy to understand and can change at any given time.

For more, refer to this page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constituti ... ed_Kingdom

As for the PM, here is a surpise for you.

There is no limit.

A political party can stay in power for a maximum of five years before they have to call an election. If the party get re-elected, then the leader of the party will remain Prime minister.

There is no requirement for a leader to stand down, therefore a prime minister can stay in office for the rest of his life, as long as they keep getting re-elected every five years.

[shauni]

Alright, anyways...

Do you wear school uniforms in the UK?

yep, ALL schools have a school uniform up until the age of 16. here is a typle example.



It's the same basic look for all schools, but different colours and tie patterns. Girls can now also ware pants.

[Giga-Gar]

As for the PM, here is a surpise for you.

There is no limit.

A political party can stay in power for a maximum of five years before they have to call an election. If the party get re-elected, then the leader of the party will remain Prime minister.

There is no requirement for a leader to stand down, therefore a prime minister can stay in office for the rest of his life, as long as they keep getting re-elected every five years.

*uncontrollable spasms* Ok shauni, no offence, but I really wouldn't want to live in Britain. It's just a dystopia waiting to happen.

One more question. In this book I'm reading, the Crimean War is 150 year old plot point in the making. I have no idea what happened in the Crimean because America was having it's pro-slave/anti-slave debate at the time, so... what happened in the Crimean War?

[shauni]

*uncontrollable spasms* Ok shauni, no offence, but I really wouldn't want to live in Britain. It's just a dystopia waiting to happen.

One more question. In this book I'm reading, the Crimean War is 150 year old plot point in the making. I have no idea what happened in the Crimean because America was having it's pro-slave/anti-slave debate at the time, so... what happened in the Crimean War?

Our government is on of the oldest and is still going strong. Why get rid of a good leader?


The below is taken from http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/cr/Crimean_War as my understanding of this war is limited
"The Crimean War lasted from 1854 to 1856. It was fought between Russia and an alliance of Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire and Sardinia. The majority of the conflict took place around the Crimean peninsula on the Black Sea.
After a dispute with the Ottoman Empire over the guardianship of several holy towns in Palestine, Russia invaded Moldavia and Walachia, both vassals of the Ottoman Empire, resulting in a declaration of war by the Ottomans in late 1853. The Ottomans were joined by Britain and France on March 28, 1854, and by Sardinia in January 1855. Austria also threatened to enter the war on the Ottoman side, causing the Russians to withdraw from the occupied areas, which were subsequently occupied by the Austrians in August 1854.

The following month, allied troops landed in the Crimea and besieged the city of Sevastopol. The city was finally captured in September 1855. In the same year, the Russians occupied the Turkish/Armenian city of Kars[?].

After the occupation of Sevastopol and the accession of Alexander II peace negotiations began. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris (1856).

The war became famous for military and logistical incompetence. Scandalous treatment of wounded soldiers, which was covered by war media, prompted the work of Florence Nightingale, introducing modern nursing methods. The Crimean War was also the first in which use was made of railways.

Timeline

Some action also took place on the Russian Pacific coast, Asia Minor, the Baltic and White Seas
The roots of the war's causes lay in the existing rivalry between the British and the Russians in other areas such as Afghanistan. Conflicts over control of holy places in Jerusalem led to aggressive actions in the Balkans, and around the Dardanelles.
Major battles
The Battle of Alma - September 20, 1854
The Battle of Balaclava - October 25, 1854 (see also Charge of the Light Brigade);
The Battle of Inkermann[?] - November 5, 1854;
Siege of Sebastopol[?] (more correctly, "Sevastopol") - September 25, 1854 to September 8, 1855
Battle of Eupatoria[?], February 17, 1855
the Siege of Kars[?], June to November 28, 1855
Battle of Chernaya River[?] (aka "Traktir Bridge") - August 25th[?], 1855.

It was the first war where the electric telegraph started to have a significant effect; the first 'live' war reporting to the The Times, and British generals' reduced independence of action from London due to such rapid communications.
Florence Nightingale
Military commanders

Eduard Ivanovich Totleben[?] (Russia)
Lord Raglan (Britain)
Marshall Saint-Arnaud (France)
Marshall Canrobert (France) "