A Brife History of the UKPPT
Early Settlements and Celtic BritainThe earliest evidence of human occupation...
Early Settlements and Celtic BritainThe earliest evidence of human occupation in the British Isles dates back some 250,000 years, with Neanderthal remains found at Boxgrove and other sites. However, the earliest evidence for modern humans is the Swanscombe skull, which dates from around 400 BC.The Celts are thought to have settled in the British Isles around 600 BC, and by the 1st century BC there were over 60 Celtic tribes in Wales, Cornwall, Scotland and Ireland. The Celts had their own language and culture, and although they had some contact with the Roman world, they remained largely independent.The Romans and the SaxonsIn AD 43 the Romans invaded Britain, and over the next 400 years they established a network of roads, forts and cities that covered the island. The most important city was Londinium, which became the capital of Roman Britain. However, by the end of the 4th century AD the Romans had pulled out of Britain, and the land was left to fall into decay.In the 5th century AD, Germanic tribes known as the Angles, Saxons and Jutes invaded Britain. They established themselves in eastern and southern England, and over time these areas became known as the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. The Celts who had not been Romanized retreated to Wales, Cornwall, Scotland and Ireland.The Vikings and the NormansIn the 9th century AD, Scandinavian Vikings began to raid the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. They established themselves in eastern England as Danish settlers, but they were eventually defeated by King Alfred the Great of Wessex. However, Viking influence remained strong in northern England and Scotland.In 1066 AD, the Normans invaded England from France. They defeated King Harold II of England at the Battle of Hastings and established their own dynasty of kings. The Normans introduced feudalism to England and built many castles and cathedrals. They also added Norman Gothic to English architecture and language.The Tudors and StuartsIn 1485 AD, Henry Tudor became king of England. Over the next 100 years he and his descendants, the Tudors, built up a vast empire in England and Wales. They established Protestantism as the official religion of England and Wales and broke with Rome. Henry VIII became famous for his six wives and his break with Rome, while Elizabeth I was known as the "Virgin Queen" for her refusal to marry and her support for exploration and trade.In 1603 AD James VI of Scotland became king of England as James I, uniting the two crowns for the first time since 1327 AD. However, there was conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland and Scotland, leading to uprisings that were put down by English armies.The Industrial RevolutionIn the 18th century AD, England experienced a period of industrialization and urbanization that transformed the country forever. Textile mills were set up in Lancashire and Yorkshire, and coal and iron production boomed. Other northern cities such as Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield became major centers of industry. This caused mass migrations from rural areas to urban centers as people sought work in factories or mines. This trend continued well into the 20th century AD.World War I and World War IIIn 1914-1918 AD, Britain fought alongside France and Russia in World War I against Germany. The British Empire sent over 9 million troops to fight on the continent, where they suffered over 900,000 casualties. However, after the war Germany was defeated and many changes occurred in Europe, including the creation of new countries such as Poland and Czechoslovakia.In 1939-1945 AD, Britain again went to war against Germany but this time with its Empire allies including India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The war was fought on multiple fronts including in Europe, Asia and Africa. In Europe, major battles were fought in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany itself. In Asia, Japan was a major enemy but was later defeated by a combined force of British, American and Soviet troops. In Africa, British forces fought against Italian troops in Libya and Egypt but later triumphed over Germany in Burma. The war left many scars on Britain but also paved the way for a new era of peace and cooperation within Europe and beyond.
