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A Global Power: The Rise of Britain

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From the 17th to 19th centuries, Britain rose as a global power through constitutional reforms, industrial progress, and imperial expansion. Key movements like the Enlightenment, suffrage rights, and the abolition of slavery, alongside major conflicts, shaped its lasting global influence.

SN Topic Key Points
1 Glorious Revolution & The Bill of Rights
  • 1688 Glorious Revolution: William III and Mary II replace James II.
  • 1689 Bill of Rights: Limited the monarch's power and confirmed Parliament's authority.
  • Introduced constitutional monarchy, free elections, and judicial independence.
2 Population Growth & Migration
  • 17th–18th century: Migration to America, arrival of Huguenots (French Protestants).
  • 1695: Development of free press.
  • 1689 Act of Toleration: Allowed religious freedom to nonconformists.
3 Act of Union with Scotland (1707)
  • Created the Kingdom of Great Britain.
  • Scotland retained legal, educational, and religious autonomy.
4 The First Prime Minister
  • 1714: George I’s rule led to the role of the Prime Minister.
  • Sir Robert Walpole became the first Prime Minister.
5 Jacobite Rebellions
  • 1745: Bonnie Prince Charlie's failed rebellion.
  • Battle of Culloden (1746): Ended Jacobite hopes of Stuart restoration.
6 Robert Burns (1759–96)
  • Scottish poet known as 'The Bard of Scotland'.
  • Wrote "Auld Lang Syne", a globally famous song.
7 The Enlightenment
  • 18th-century movement of science, philosophy, and political thought.
  • Notable figures: Adam Smith (economics) and David Hume (philosophy).
8 The Industrial Revolution
  • 18th–19th centuries: Mechanization, steam power, and coal mining expanded.
  • Key invention: James Watt’s steam engine.
9 Richard Arkwright (1732–92)
  • Invented the water frame for textile production.
  • Pioneered factory-based production.
10 Transport & Railways
  • George & Robert Stephenson advanced railways.
  • Railways connected industrial cities.
11 The Victorian Age (1837–1901)
  • Expansion of the British Empire.
  • Key social reforms: Abolition of slavery, public health, education.
12 The British Empire
  • At its peak, covered one-quarter of the world.
  • Included India, Australia, Canada, and Africa.
13 Florence Nightingale (1820–1910)
  • Pioneered modern nursing.
  • Worked in the Crimean War and reformed hospitals.
14 The Suffragettes
  • Emmeline Pankhurst led the fight for women’s voting rights.
  • 1918: Women over 30 got the vote.
  • 1928: Women over 21 got equal voting rights.
15 The Boer War (1899–1902)
  • Fought in South Africa over British control.
16 Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936)
  • Famous for "The Jungle Book".
  • Explored British imperialism in his works.
17 The Slave Trade & Abolition
  • 1807: Abolition of Slave Trade Act.
  • 1833: Slavery abolished across the British Empire.
18 War with France
  • Napoleonic Wars (1799–1815): Britain defeated Napoleon at Waterloo (1815).
19 The Union Flag
  • Combination of England, Scotland, and Ireland’s flags.
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