Question 11:
How did the British Empire end? How is the British foreign policy formed?
The age of imperialism was over.
· On the one hand, the British could no longer afford to maintain its empire; while Britain had won the war, it had paid a terrible price in terms of lives and in terms of economic destruction.
· On the other hand, the British realised that countries should be granted the independence and left to run their own affairs.
· The end of the great British empire was surprisingly rapid.
· In the 1940s, many countries were granted independence and left the Commonwealth, refusing to recognise the British monarch as the head of their new states.
How Foreign Policy is Made
· The Prime Minister and Cabinet decide on the general direction of Britain's foreign policy.
· The main government department involved is of course the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
· The Ministry of Defence is responsible for ensuring Britain's defence and managing Britain's involvement in its military treaty commitments.
· The Department of Trade and Industry is concerned with formulating international trade policy and managing British commercial relations with other countries.
· The Treasury makes decisions on how much money other departments can have each year.
· Since Britain is a parliamentary democracy, the government's foreign policy in theory represents the desires of its electorate.
Question 12:
How do the British celebrate Christmas? What are the three traditions of Christmas in Britain?
· Christmas, December 25th, is the biggest and best loved British holiday.
· Schools close for the holiday period, as do shops and offices, so people can spend time at home with their families.
· Christmas is celebrated by most Britons by exchanging gifts and Christmas cards, preparing holiday foods, and decorating homes and workplaces with coloured lights, Christmas trees and ornaments .
· Three Christmas traditions are particularly British: one is the Christmas Pantomime, a comical musical play.
· Another British Christmas tradition is to hear the Queen give her Christmas message to her realm over the television and radio.
· She usually talks about the year that has passed and expresses her hopes for the future.
· A third British tradition, which is also celebrated in countries with British heritages, is Boxing Day, which falls on the day after Christmas.
· Traditionally, it was on Boxing Day that people gave Christmas gifts or money to their staff or servants.
· A new Boxing Day custom is shopping. Shops open up to sell off all their Christmas stock decorations, food, cards and gift items at low prices.
· For most people, Boxing Day is a day for visiting, eating and relaxing.
Question 13:
