XIV Международная студенческая научная конференция Студенческий научный форум - 2022

The 20th century saw two world wars catalyse enormous social change across the country. The British "Victorian era" ended in 1901, and with it the most significant period in the history of the country. Already 1900-1903 were marked by a new economic crisis.The wartime state extended its control over peoples’ lives in an unprecedented way, with conscription, increased taxation and censorship.

After the stormy November days of 1956, the British had to accept the inevitable and begin to adapt to life in "Britain without an Empire", to the fact that all the specific advantages that English capitalism possessed in the middle of the XIX century are now completely lost.: first, by the end of the XIX century, an industrial monopoly, then, by the second half of the XX century, a colonial monopoly.

Troubled industrial relations led to the only general strike in British history in 1926. From the early 1920s the Labour Party, founded in 1900, overtook the Liberal Party in general elections.The slump following the Wall Street Crash of 1929 hamstrung economic reconstruction and meant continuing hardship, particularly in industrial areas.British control now extended over more of the globe than ever before – but closer to home, Ireland was partitioned and the Irish Free State became independent in 1922.

An important feature of the new development of capitalism (imperialism) was the increase in the export of capital. Here the contradictions were twofold - rivals appeared within the country, but the most dangerous were monopolistic associations of other countries, in particular, Germany.The energy, chemical, steel, and military industries were more intensively involved in the monopolization process.

The growing dependence of the British economy on the resources of the colonial empire directly affected the specifics of the development of the financial system. Capital has become a key component of exports. In terms of capital exports, Britain occupied a strong place in the world (ahead of France and Germany combined in terms of capital exports). It should be emphasized that British foreign investments were characterized by high profitability. This has influenced the development of the transport network - railways, shipbuilding.

By 1943, Britain has become a junior partner in an alliance dominated by the USA and the Soviet Union.The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952, the first to be televised, prompted talk of a new Elizabethan age.During the later 1950s and the 1960s, cars, washing machines, fridges, telephones and holidays all became increasingly affordable elements of everyday life.

Britain became the third nation to become an atomic power in 1952 and had already deployed Civil Defence measures and installations in this era of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD).

Large-scale changes in the culture of Great Britain occurred after 1945. The most notable examples of these changes can serve as the transformation of Liverpool, and then London, into the centers of world pop culture in the 1960s. The Beatles were only the very first and most famous of the British rock bands that conquered the world. British fashion designers became famous for their avant-garde style, and the bright clothes from the shops on Carnaby Street and King's Road became known far beyond London.

In the XIX–XX centuries, the philosophy of Great Britain is closely connected with the most important universities. Most philosophers become teachers and become famous precisely because of this profession. Therefore, the universities of the kingdom - Oxford, Cambridge and others - simultaneously serve as philosophical centers.

In addition to these changes, as well as a less significant revival in other areas of culture after the end of World War II, significant changes have taken place in society itself. The most noticeable change was the increase in the level of education.The Special Council for the Arts, formed in 1946, supports various fields of art, which, in turn, caused the expansion of the cultural market, mainly commercial. As in many developed countries, the clash of tastes and values of the older and younger generation was very violent at times, especially in the 60s and 70s of the 20th century.

The state of finances was in no less dire straits. According to the calculations of the Russian allies, Great Britain spent 17.5 million rubles daily at the beginning of the war. The domestic debt increased 10-fold to 6.6 billion pounds, the external debt amounted to 1.2 billion. For the first time in its history, the UK has become a debtor country. The loss of 70% of the merchant fleet during the war had very serious consequences. In general, industrial production fell by 20%, there was an acute shortage of raw materials. During the war, ties with the colonies significantly weakened. A passive trade balance was formed — with a reduction in the export of British goods during the war, imports steadily increased. Dependence on imports further exacerbated the problem of external debt and the financial crisis.

Especially disturbing was and remains the fact that even a small increase in industrial output was not so much due to technological progress as due to the construction of new enterprises and, most importantly, increased exploitation of workers. In England, only 23% of the increase was achieved as a result of technical re-equipment.

The traditions and customs of England include compulsory education of children, for which caring parents spare no expense. If their incomes allow, they send their children to boarding schools or expensive private schools. A high-level education promotes impeccable pronunciation, which the English are incredibly proud of.

The traditions and customs of England certainly include sports. The English love ball games, such as cricket, golf, tennis, football. There are many excellent football players, swimmers, tennis players and of course rugby fans among the British. According to legend, in 1845, students of the English Rugby school played football. Suddenly, one player, grabbing the ball in his hands, ran with all his might across the football field with it. Everyone was delighted with the new game and named it rugby - in honor of the school. Since then, this original team sport has actively taken root in many countries of our continent.

English traditions and customs also affect familiar everyday situations. Dressing in the morning on the wedding day, the English bride must necessarily wear something old (something old), something new (something new), something borrowed (something borrowed) and something blue (something blue). There are many signs associated with the wedding of all peoples. For example, the groom isn`t allowed to see the bride in a wedding dress until the wedding day.

Bibliography:

1. http://velikobritaniya.org/blogcategory/kyltyra-i-iskysstvo-velikobritanii/

2. http://www.british-history.ru/

3. http://www.realtravel.ru/countries/england/england_culture.html

4. Дербишир Д. Д. Великобритания: учебное пособие. М.: 2013. - С. 840-873.  

5. Стариков Н.В. Политическая система Великобритании: Учебное пособие. СПб: Питер, 2012. - С. 303.