Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Talk:Tommy Robinson

2018-06-18T08:28:51Z

NicosB: Query re original text

'''Illegal actions by judge?'''

Could you explain why the judge acted 'Illegally'?

Robinson was arrested for causing a breach of the peace while he was filming and broadcasting within the precincts of a court during a trial...actions which are illegal in the UK. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 months for contempt of court. A further 3 months were added on account of a previously suspended sentence. During this original court case in 2017 Robinson had been specifically warned by the judge that if he repeated his illegal actions of filming and making defamatory remarks about defendants while their trials were in progress, his sentence would be implemented and he would be gaoled - he did and he was.

The judge who sentenced him in May 2018 put an order banning media reporting because he believed that any such reporting would potentially prejudice the trial then in progress, a trial that Robinson’s actions had threatened to abort.

One may not like or agree with this judge’s actions, but they were perfectly legal within UK law. In the UK, judges take a very dim view of the actions which could prejudice the rights of defendants to receive fair trials. Robinson was fully aware of the risks he was taking when he broke the law; he did the crime, pleaded guilty and is now doing the time.

Full details of the legal basis behind the various judgements are here: http://obiterj.blogspot.com/2018/06/contempt-of-court-tommy-robinson.html?m=1

[[User:NicosB|NicosB]] ([[User talk:NicosB|talk]]) 04:28, 18 June 2018 (EDT)

United Kingdom

2012-12-11T14:45:49Z

NicosB: /* United Kingdom and moral decline */ 2011 census details

{{Country
|name =''The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland''
|map =United kingdom rel87.jpg
|map2 =UK location.png
|flag =Union_jack.jpg
|arms =UK Royal Coat of Arms.png
|capital =London
|capital-raw =
|government =Constitutional monarchy
|government-raw =
|language =English
|king =
|queen =
|monarch-raw =HM Queen [[Elizabeth II]]
|president =
|president-raw =
|chancellor =
|chancellor-raw =
|pm =David Cameron
|pm-raw =
|area =94,526 sq mi
|pop =62,698,000
|pop-basis =2011
|gdp =$2.006 trillion
|gdp-year =2006
|gdp-pc =$35,051 (2006)
|currency =Pound Sterling
|idd =
|tld =
}}
'''The United Kingdom''' ('''UK''') is a sovereign [[state]] north-west of mainland [[Europe]]. It comprises [[England]], [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]], which occupy the island of [[Great Britain]], and [[Northern Ireland]] on the island of [[Ireland]]. It attained its current identity in 1922 after most of Ireland was granted independence.

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. Its [[head of state]] is [[Elizabeth II]], and its [[head of government]] is the Prime Minister [[David Cameron]].

The United Kingdom has the fifth largest economy in the world, and is a member of the [[European Union]], [[NATO]] and the [[United Nations]]. British values, culture and institutions were spread throughout many parts of the world during the period of the [[British Empire]], 1600-1960, and British contributions to world culture include the English language, the [[parliament|parliamentary]] form of government, the [[Church of England|Anglican]] Church ("Church of England"), a tradition of personal liberty, and the [[common law]] legal system. Note, however, that the United Kingdom does not have the constitutional [[free speech]] protections or an energetic [[Christian]] culture that exist in the [[United States]].

==Name==
[[File:London Thames Sunset panorama 2008.jpg|thumb|left|London - Thames panorama.]]
The official name of the nation (since 1927) is ''The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland''.<ref> From 1801 to 1927 the official name was ''The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland''. </ref> The full official name is seldom used except in very formal or legal documents. The short version for historical topics is either "Britain" or "Great Britain." The short version for recent events (since the 1970s) is "United Kingdom" or "UK" The adjective is always '''"British"'''.

Britain was part of the [[British Empire]], which has become the "British Commonwealth", and is mostly a discussion club. Britain has a few scattered minor possessions, such as [[Gibraltar]], but gave up its last important colony--[[Hong Kong]]--in 1997.
[[File:Westminster in the evening.jpg|thumb|280px|Westminster in the evening.]]
* '''England''' is the largest of the four components of the United Kingdom. "England" was often used to stand for the nation in older literature published before 1970. However use of "England" to refer to the entire country is now sometimes considered offensive by many citizens of the other three member countries and is thus discouraged.
* The standard language of the UK is English; [[Welsh]] has parity in Wales, and [[Gaelic]] is widely used on official documents, roadsigns, etc in remote Gaelic-speaking areas of western Scotland.

MacColl (2008) explores the use of the term 'Britain' in English, French, and Latin texts from the 12th century to the 16th. The term was flexible, used in a variety of ways (geographically, politically, and ethnically), and not always indicative of any specific meaning. The English at first tended to conflate 'Britain' with England or the southern portion of the island of Great Britain, though the term 'Greater Britain' was applied starting in the 14th century to refer to the entire island. The Scottish, beginning in the 15th century, used the term in the modern sense - as reflective of the entire island of Great Britain and the 'polity' of England, Wales, and Scotland. This latter usage paved the way for the relatively smooth ideological transition after the 1707 Acts of Union.<ref> Alan MacColl, "The Meaning of 'Britain' in Medieval and Early Modern England." ''Journal of British Studies'' 2006 45(2): 248-269</ref>

===Anthem===
The national anthem of the UK is currently ''[[God Save the Queen]]''. Should a male heir accede to the throne, the anthem will become "God Save the King".<ref> This same melody is also sung by American schoolchildren (with different words) as "My Country, 'Tis of Thee".</ref>

The constituent nations have their own unofficial anthems. In the case of Wales, this is ''Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau'' (''Land of My Fathers''), and for Scotland it is ''Flower of Scotland''. England does not have its own distinctive anthem in the same way, but at sporting events in which England is competing as a separate nation, [[Edward Elgar]]'s patriotic song ''Land of Hope and Glory'' is sometimes used (although ''God Save the Queen'' is more commonly used). Additionally the hymn "Jerusalem" has a large number of supporters in England as an alternative to, or replacement for, the national anthem. In Northern Ireland, the Protestant and Catholic communities respectively use ''God Save the Queen'' and ''Amhran na bhFiann'', the Irish national anthem. ''Londonderry Air'' is often used as the anthem for Northern Ireland competitors in sporting events.

==People==
[[Image:Tower Bridge London.jpg|thumb|340px|Tower Bridge, London.]]
The United Kingdom's population in 2004 surpassed 60 million--the third-largest in the European Union. Its overall population density is one of the highest in the world. Almost one-third of the population lives in England's prosperous and fertile southeast and is predominantly urban and suburban--with about 7.2 million in the capital of London, which remains the largest city in Europe.

A net total of 408,000 people were added to the UK population in 2008, the largest numerical increase since 1972. This was partly due to the highest fertility rate in more than three decades. More than half of the increase in births last year was due to non-UK born mothers.

There is also an ever-increasing aging population with the number of people over 85 now at a record 1.3 million, the equivalent of one in every 50 people.

===Education===
[[File:Royal College of Music 2007.jpg|thumb|left|Royal College of Music.]]
The United Kingdom's high literacy rate (99%) is attributable to universal public education introduced for the primary level in 1870 and secondary level in 1900. Education is mandatory from ages 5 through 16, although this is in the process of being raised to 18 for England and Wales. "Public" schools are elite private prep schools, such as [[Eton]] and [[Rugby School|Rugby]], attended by youth whose families can afford to pay high tuition rates.

All state-funded schools in the UK are required to start the day with a collective assembly that is 'wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character' <ref>[http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=387464 Times Educational Supplement]</ref>, although this is not always ahered too and there are small numbers of state-funded [[Muslim]], [[Jew]]ish and [[Hindu]] schools.

About thirty six percent of British students go on to post-secondary education.

Higher education has been a speciality for over 500 years at Oxbridge ([[Oxford University|Oxford]] and [[Cambridge University|Cambridge]]), with new "red brick" universities added in the 19th century and many others in the late 20th century. Universities contribute £33 billion a year to the economy. Britain has a strong attraction for international students, with 342,000 attending in 2007 (compared to 672,000 in the U.S. and 183,000 in Australia). They spend £1.5 billion in tuition in Britain annually, plus another £0.4 billion off campus.

===Demographics===
[[File:Youth UK.JPG|thumb|British youth.]]
A group of islands close to continental Europe, the British Isles have been subject to many invasions and migrations, especially from Scandinavia and the continent, including Roman occupation for several centuries. Contemporary Britons are descended mainly from the varied ethnic stocks that settled there before the 11th century. The pre-Celtic, Celtic, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and Norse influences were blended in Britain under the Normans, Scandinavian Vikings who had lived in Northern France. Although Celtic languages persist in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, as well as Cornwall in south-west England, the predominant language is English, which is primarily a blend of Anglo-Saxon and Norman French.
*Population (2007 est.): 60.8 million.
*Annual population growth rate (2007 est.): 0.275%.
*Major ethnic groups: British 91%, Irish 2%, West Indian and African 3%, South Asian 3%, others 1%.
*Major religions: Church of England (Anglican), Roman Catholic, Church of Scotland (Presbyterian), Muslim.
*Major languages: English
*Education: Years compulsory--12. Attendance--nearly 100%. Literacy--99%.
*Health: Infant mortality rate (2007 est.)--5.01/1,000. Life expectancy (2007 est.)--males 76.23 yrs.; females 81.3 yrs.; total 78.7 years
*Work force (2007, 31.1 million): Services--80.4%; industry--18.2%; agriculture--1.4%.

===Ethnic tensions===

Britain is home to 2.4 million Muslims from numerous ethnicities. This population is growing 10 times faster than the national average. Regarded as one of the most tolerant countries in Europe, Britain struggles with questions of integration, particularly the social exclusion of its Muslims, as well as the psychological aftermath of the July 2005 suicide bombings on London’s public transport system carried out by young Britons of Pakistani descent, which left 52 people dead and over 700 injured.

===Religion===
[[File:Canterbury Cathedral.jpg|thumb|left|350px|Canterbury Cathedral (photographed during 1890-1900).]]
Religious faith, according to a 2011 survey, has declined sharply in Britain over the last two decades. Now only 42% of people describe themselves as Christian, as opposed to 66% in 1990. Most of the decline is due to a drift away from the Church of England, it is claimed, with only 20% claiming allegiance, down from 40%.

In 2003 the Office of National Statistics estimated 29% of the population identified with Anglicanism, 10% with the Catholic Church, and 14% with other Protestant churches. A 2007 survey reported that the number of Catholics (mostly Irish) attending Sunday services has overtaken the number of Anglicans doing so. A September 2006 English Church Census reported that Methodists were decreasing as a percentage of the population, while members of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Pentecostal churches, many churches from Africa, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, almost entirely immigrants, were increasing.<ref> According to [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108478.htm U.S. State Department Report, 2008]</ref>

Individuals with no religious belief comprised 21% of the population in 2009. Muslims comprise 3% of the population. The Muslim community is predominantly South Asian in origin, but other groups from the Arabian Peninsula, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Levant are represented. In addition, there is a growing number of indigenous converts. Although estimates vary, the Government places the number of mosques in the whole country at one thousand. Groups comprising 1% or less of the population include Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, and Buddhists. Individuals from Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, and Sikh backgrounds are concentrated in London and other large urban areas, primarily in England.

Attendance at religious services was significantly different from the number of adherents. According to a report released on May 8, 2008, by Religious Trends, only 4 million Christians attend services on a regular basis (defined as at least once a month) in the country. These figures do not include Northern Ireland, where higher%ages reportedly attend both Catholic (more than 60%) and Protestant (more than 35%) services. The Religious Trends report stated that more than 50% of Muslims regularly worship at mosques. Figures for Jews and other religious groups were unavailable.

Religious affiliation was not evenly distributed among ethnicities. According to the 2001 census, approximately 70% of the white population described themselves as Christians. Nearly 75% of black Caribbean respondents stated that they were Christians, as did 70% of black Africans. Meanwhile, 45% of Indians were Hindus and 29% were Sikhs. Approximately 92% of Pakistanis and Bangladeshis were Muslims.

In Northern Ireland, where divisions between nationalists and unionists evolved largely along religious lines, the 2001 census showed that 53.1% were Protestants and 43.8% were Catholics. Many Catholics and Protestants continued to live in segregated communities in Northern Ireland, although many middle class neighborhoods were mixed communities. The policy of the Government remained one of promotion of religious tolerance.

There are two established (or state) churches--The [[Church of England]] (Anglican) and the [[Church of Scotland]] (Presbyterian). The Act of Settlement, enacted in 1688, states that no Catholic, or person married to a Catholic, may ascend the throne.
====Religion in schools====
The Government provides financial support—up to 90% of the total capital costs of the buildings and 100% of running costs, including teachers' salaries - to sectarian educational institutions that are commonly referred to as "faith schools".
[[File:Matthew Boulton College.jpg|thumb|Matthew Boulton College.]]
The Government also helps fund the repair and maintenance of all listed places of worship for religious groups nationwide and contributes to the budget of the Church Conservation Trust, which preserves "redundant" Church of England buildings of architectural or historic significance.

The Government has not classified the Church of Scientology as a religious institution and therefore has not granted the organization recognition for charitable status.

More than 30% of state schools had a religious character. Nearly all of the 6,949 "faith schools" are associated with Christian denominations, although there are 31 Jewish, 7 Islamic, and 2 Sikh schools. An additional two Jewish, three Islamic, and two Sikh schools have also been tentatively approved by the Government to open. In addition, several hundred independent schools of a religious nature receive no state support but must meet government quality standards. Controversy arose in 2006 over 100 Islamic schools when an Office of Standards in Education (Ofsted) evaluation of these schools showed many were "little more than places where the Koran was recited." The schools were given time to correct their deficiencies. A review is due in 2010. Some Christian faith schools also faced controversy. Some were accused of not following the national curriculum in science, teaching creationism instead. During the reporting period, a further controversy erupted when it was learned that some faith schools were not following an "open" admission policy as required by law, denying admission to both special needs children and those outside the faith of the school administrators. The Catholic Church and the Church of England have an agreement to voluntarily accept up to 25% of places for pupils from another religious group or no religious group.

Almost all schools in Northern Ireland receive state support. More than 90% of students attended schools that were either predominantly Catholic or Protestant. Integrated schools served approximately 5% of school-age children whose families voluntarily chose this option, often after overcoming significant obstacles to provide the resources to start a new school and demonstrate its sustainability for 3 years before government funding begins. Demand for places in integrated schools outweighed the limited number of places available. The May 8, 2007, devolution, or granting of power, authorized the Northern Ireland Assembly to decide on academic selection. Now there are more than 50 integrated schools, and the new Government permits existing schools to petition to change from sectarian to integrated. More petition for that status than are granted it. Some have accused the Government of a go-slow approach to avoid sectarian animus.

The law requires religious education for all children, ages 3 to 19, in publicly maintained schools. In England and Wales it forms part of the core curriculum in accordance with the Education Reform Act of 1988. In Scotland, religious education of some sort is mandated by the Education Act of 1980. However, the shape and content of religious instruction throughout the country is decided on a local basis. Locally agreed syllabi are required to reflect the predominant place of Christianity while taking into account the teachings and practices of other principal religions in the country. Syllabuses must be nondenominational and refrain from attempting to convert pupils. Schools with a religious designation follow a syllabus drawn up by the school governors according to the trust deed of the school. All parents have the legal right to request that their children not participate in religious education, but the school must approve this request.

Daily collective prayer or worship of "a wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character" is practiced in schools in England and Wales, a requirement that may be waived for students who obtain permission of the school authorities. The Education and Inspections Act 2006 permits sixth form students (generally 16-19-year-olds) to withdraw themselves from worship without their parents' permission or action. This new law does not exempt sixth form students from religious education classes. Non-Christian worship is permitted with approval of the authorities. Teachers have the right not to participate in collective worship, without prejudice, unless they work for a faith school.

After several controversial court decisions prohibiting full-face veils in school (but not head scarves) and the wearing of a Christian chastity ring, the Department of Education provided guidance that advises schools to "… act reasonably in accommodating religious requirements," under human rights legislation. Some Muslim groups, including the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said it was inappropriate for the Government to provide guidance that regulated Muslim communities in matters concerning the expression of their religious beliefs. But it is also legally possible under the act, according to the guidance, to have a school uniform policy that "restricts the freedom of pupils to manifest their religion" on the grounds of health and safety and the "protection of the rights and freedoms of others." The Government's guidance is meant to remind "head teachers" to act with a degree of sensitivity when considering decisions that will impact the cultural complexion of their communities.

====Census====

According to the 2011 Census the religious make-up of the UK at that time was:

{| border="1" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3
|+'''Religions in United Kingdom'''
!Belief
!Thousands
!Proportion
|-
|Christian ||29,000 ||51.6
|-
|No Religion ||9104 ||15.5
|-
|Muslim ||1591 ||2.7
|-
|Hindu ||559 ||1.0
|-
|Sikh ||336 ||0.6
|-
|Jewish ||267 ||0.5
|-
|Other ||179 ||0.3
|-
|Buddhist ||152 ||0.3
|-
|Pagan & Wicca ||40 ||0.1
|-
|Total religious ||45,163 ||76.8
|-
|No answer ||4289 ||7.3
|}
The answers were distorted by an internet campaign just prior to the census, encouraging people to actually question religion that claimed that if at least 50,000 people stated their religion as 'Jedi Knight' it would be officially classified as a religion. This was not true, though the Office of National Statistics does aggregate very small religions into the 'Other' category whereas a religion of 50,000 would be itemised separately. This separate listing does not constitute any form of official recognition.

It should be noted that non-practising Christians and the non-religious group are growing in the UK and Europe. At the same time, there is growth in the Islamic, Sikh and Hindu groups due to immigration.

Two of the four states of the United Kingdom, England and Scotland, have official state religions. The [[Church of England]] is the official religion of England and the (Presbyterian) Church of Scotland is the official religion of Scotland. The (Anglican) Church of Ireland was [[disestablished]] in 1871 and the (Anglican) Church of Wales was disestablished in 1920, whereupon it was renamed the [[Church in Wales]].

===Crown Dependencies===
A number of the smaller [[British Isles]], most importantly [[Jersey]], [[Guernsey]] and the [[Isle of Man]] are '[[Crown dependencies|British Crown Dependencies]]' and not members of the UK. Their governments are independent of that of the UK other than foreign and defence policy (the UK government retains the legal power to overrule the governments of the Dependencies, but this power has not been exercised since 1967), and they are not members of the [[European Union]].

==Sports and Pastimes==
[[File:Wembley Stadium.jpg|thumb|230px|Wembley Stadium.]]
Many of the most popular [[sport]]s in the world today were developed or codified in the UK. These include [[soccer|football]] (which is called ''soccer'' in North America), [[cricket]], [[Rugby (Sport)|rugby]], [[tennis]], [[hockey]], [[baseball]] and [[golf]]. The UK is represented in international competitions by the individual nations (such as in football, the one-day form of cricket and rugby) and by the whole of the UK in other sports (such as [[athletics]], golf and tennis). The Test cricket team is that of 'England & Wales' (colloquially, just 'England') but from time to time has had Scottish and Irish players.

The UK remains a major sporting force both in competition and the administration of sport. It is dominant in several Olympic sports, notably cycling, rowing and sailing and a leading force in cricket, rugby union, and golf.

Certain venues have their own distinct and historical recognition and host a number of international competitions. These include Wimbledon for tennis, Silverstone for motor racing, and St Andrews for golf. There are several major venues for football, rugby and cricket.

Domestic sport is dominated by football with one of the strongest and most popular leagues in the world - the Premier League. This league is sponsored by Barclays Bank, so has the official name "Barclays Premier League". Many of the Premier League's teams are well known outside the United Kingdom, especially the "big four" (Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool) and maintain followings around the world. Cricket and both codes of rugby also have strong and popular domestic leagues. Other popular sports include snooker, rowing, golf, tennis, athletics, cycling, darts, horse racing, and motor racing. These most popular sports are well covered by both the print press and television.

Some sports which are more popular in other countries such as volleyball, handball, American football and basketball have small but dedicated followings.

The [[U.K.]] is also renowned for its music, and is the home of bands like [[The Beatles]], [[Rolling Stones]], [[Pink Floyd]], [[The Who]], [[Oasis]], [[Coldplay]] and [[Radiohead]], as well as festivals such as [[Creamfields]], [[Isle of White]] Festival and [[Glastonbury]].

==Government==
''See also [[British politics]]''
[[File:Jewel House guard in the Tower of London.JPG|thumb|200px|Jewel House guard in the Tower of London.]]
Nationalist movements exist in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, seeking (in the case of Scottish and Welsh nationalists) to dissolve the United Kingdom and to win independence for their respective territories, and in the case of Northern Ireland nationalists and republicans to create a sovereign united Ireland. At the present time, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own legislatures.

The United Kingdom does not have a written constitution. The equivalent body of law is based on statute, common law, and "traditional rights". Changes may come about formally through new acts of Parliament, informally through the acceptance of new practices and usage, or by judicial precedents. Although Parliament has the theoretical power to make or repeal any law, in actual practice the weight of 700 years of tradition restrains arbitrary actions.

Executive power rests nominally with the monarch but actually is exercised by a committee of ministers (cabinet) selected from among the members of the House of Commons and, less frequently, the House of Lords. The prime minister is normally the leader of the largest party in the House of Commons, and can remain in office for so long as he or she has the support of a majority in that body.

==Parliament==
[[File:Westminster palace Charles Barry.jpg|left|380px]]
Parliament was authorized in the [[Magna Carta]] (1215), and first summoned by King Edward I in 1296, making it one of the oldest governing bodies in the world. Parliament represents the entire country, and can legislate for the whole or for any constituent part or combination of parts. Elections are called by the Prime Minister, but the maximum length of a parliament is usually 5 years (except in wartime). The focus of legislative power is the 646 member [[House of Commons]], which has sole jurisdiction over finance. Normally the government--the Prime Minister and cabinet with their supporting MPs --have full control of the House. If they lose control an new general election may be held. The House of Lords, although shorn of most of its powers, can still review, amend, or delay temporarily any bills except those relating to the budget. In 1999, the government removed the automatic right of hereditary peers to hold seats in the House of Lords. The current house consists of appointed life peers who hold their seats for life and 92 hereditary peers who will hold their seats only until final reforms have been agreed upon and implemented. The judiciary is independent of the legislative and executive branches, but cannot review the constitutionality of legislation.

Members of the House of Commons are elected to represent specific geographic constituencies. Members are elected on a "First past the post" system as opposed to proportional representation or other electoral systems. In effect this means that a third party with less than 25% of the vote typically obtains very few seats.

==Constituent countries==
[[File:Scottish Eilean Donan castle.jpg|thumb|300px|Scottish Eilean Donan castle.]]
The separate identities of each of the United Kingdom's constituent parts are also reflected in their respective governmental structures. Up until the recent devolution of power to Scotland and Wales, a cabinet minister (the Secretary of State for Wales) handled Welsh affairs at the national level with the advice of a broadly representative council for Wales. Scotland maintains, as it did before union with England, different systems of law (Roman-French), education, local government, judiciary, and national church (the Church of Scotland instead of the Church of England). In addition, separate departments grouped under a Secretary of State for Scotland, who also is a cabinet member, handled most domestic matters. In late 1997, however, following approval of referenda by Scottish and Welsh voters (though only narrowly in Wales), the British Government introduced legislation to establish a Scottish Parliament and a Welsh Assembly. The first elections for the two bodies were held May 6, 1999. The Welsh Assembly opened on May 26, and the Scottish Parliament opened on July 1, 1999. The devolved legislatures have largely taken over most of the functions previously performed by the Scottish and Welsh offices.

Northern Ireland had its own Parliament and prime minister from 1921 to 1973, when the British Government imposed direct rule in order to deal with the deteriorating political and security situation. From 1973, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, based in London, was responsible for the region, including efforts to resolve the issues that lay behind the "the troubles."

By the mid-1990s, gestures toward peace encouraged by successive British governments and by President Clinton began to open the door for restored local government in Northern Ireland. An Irish Republican Army (IRA) cease-fire and nearly 2 years of multiparty negotiations, led by former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, resulted in the Good Friday Agreement of 10 April 1998, which was subsequently approved by majorities in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Key elements of the agreement include devolved government, a commitment of the parties to work toward "total disarmament of all paramilitary organisations," police reform, and enhanced mechanisms to guarantee human rights and equal opportunity. The Good Friday Agreement also called for formal cooperation between the Northern Ireland institutions and the Government of the Republic of Ireland, and it established the British-Irish Council, which includes representatives of the British and Irish Governments as well as the devolved Governments of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Devolved government was reestablished in Northern Ireland in December 1999.

The Agreement (more commonly known as the "Good Friday Agreement", and more rarely as the Belfast Agreement<ref>http://www.nio.gov.uk/index/key-issues/the-agreement.htm</ref>) was reached on Friday, April 10 1998 in Belfast and provides for a 108-member elected Assembly, overseen by a 12-minister Executive Committee (cabinet) in which unionists and nationalists share leadership responsibility. Northern Ireland elects 18 representatives to the Westminster Parliament in London. However, the five Sinn Fein Members of Parliament (MPs), who won seats in the 2004 election, have refused to claim their seats.

===Principal Government Officials===
[[File:674uyyhju.jpg|thumb|[[David Cameron|David Cameron]], current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]]
*Head of State '''- Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith''' who, as Head of State for many other countries also holds other titles particular to her role and rule as Head of State for those countries. More commonly referred to as '''HM''' (Her Majesty) '''Queen Elizabeth II'''

The Cabinet
*Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service '''- Rt Hon [[David Cameron]] MP'''
*Deputy Prime Minister and Lord President of the council '''- Rt Hon [[Nick Clegg]] MP'''<ref name="LibDem">Member of the [[Liberal Democrats]]</ref>
*First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs '''- Rt Hon [[William Hague]] MP'''
*Chancellor of the Exchequer '''- Rt Hon [[George Osborne]] MP'''
*Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor '''- Rt Hon Kenneth Clark QC MP'''
*Secretary of State for the Home Department and Minister for Women and Equalities '''- Rt Hon Theresa May MP'''
*Secretary of State for Defence '''- Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP'''
*Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and President of the Board of Trade '''- Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP'''<ref name = "LibDem" />
*Secretary of State for Work and Pensions '''- Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP'''
*Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change '''- Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP'''<ref name = "LibDem" />
*Secretary of State for Health '''- Rt Hon Andrew Lansley CBE MP'''
*Secretary of State for Education'''- Rt Hon Michael Gove MP'''
*Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government '''- Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP'''
*Secretary of State for Transport '''- Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP'''
*Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs '''- Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP'''
*Secretary of State for International Development '''- Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP'''
*Secretary of State for Northern Ireland '''- Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP'''
*Secretary of State for Scotland '''- Rt Hon Michael Moore MP'''<ref name = "LibDem" />
*Secretary of State for Wales '''- Rt Hon Cheryl Gillan MP'''
*Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport '''- Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP'''
*Chief Secretary to the Treasury '''- Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP'''<ref name = "LibDem" />
*Leader of the House of Lords and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster '''- Rt Hon The Lord Strathclyde PC'''
*Minister without Portfolio '''- Rt Hon The Baroness Warsi PC

Also attend Cabinet meetings:
*Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General'''- Rt Hon Francis Maude MP'''
*Minister of State in the Cabinet Office'''- Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP'''
*Minister for Universities and Science '''- David Willetts MP'''
*Leader of the House of Commons, Lord Privy Seal '''- Rt Hon Sir George Young Bt MP'''
*Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Whip '''- Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP'''
*Attorney General '''- Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP'''<ref>http://www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/hmg.cfm</ref>

===Political Conditions===
[[David Cameron]] became Prime Minister on May 11, 2010, after [[Gordon Brown]] resigned. Cameron leads a [[Conservative Party|Con]]-[[Liberal Democrats|Lib Dem]] coalition after failing to achieve a majority in the the 2010 general election

===Membership in the European Union===
The [[Conservative Party|Conservative]] government of [[Edward Heath|Sir Edward Heath]] took the UK into the [[European Union]] in 1973. The [[Labour Party]] under [[Harold Wilson]] won the 1974 general elections and due to splits within the party, called the only national [[referendum]] asking the people if they wanted to stay in the Union. The "yes" vote won by a margin of approximately two to one. The Labour and Conservative parties have since had deep divisions over Union membership. Labour's 1983 manifesto promised to leave the Union, and whilst the Conservative party have never pledged to leave the Union, a growing band of "Eurosceptics" threatened to tear the party apart in the 1990s. All three major parties wish to stay in the Union although disagree over the level of integration, but smaller parties such as the UK Independence Party and the Referendum Party campaigned on the single issue of sovereignty being lost to the Union.

==Defence and Foreign Relations==
[[File:11943452 115b299206.jpg|right|240px]]
The United Kingdom is a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and is one of NATO's major European maritime, air, and land powers; it ranks third among NATO countries in total defence expenditure. The United Kingdom has been a member of the European Community (now European Union) since 1973. In the United Nations, the United Kingdom is a permanent member of the Security Council. The U.K. held the Presidency of the G-8 during 2005; it held the EU Presidency from July to December 2005.

The British Armed Forces are charged with protecting the United Kingdom and its overseas territories, promoting Britain's wider security interests, and supporting international peacekeeping efforts. The 37,000-member Royal Navy, which includes 6,000 Royal Marine commandos, is in charge of the United Kingdom's independent strategic nuclear arm, which consists of four Trident missile submarines. The British Army, consisting of approximately 99,200 personnel, the Royal Air Force, with 42,000 personnel, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, are active and regular participants in NATO and other coalition operations. Approximately 9% of the British Armed Forces is female, and 4% of British forces represent ethnic minorities.
[[File:Royal Naval college UK.jpg|thumb|center|380px|Royal Naval College.]]
===Iraq===
The U.K. was the United States' main coalition partner under the designation Operation TELIC. Under UN Security Council Resolution 1483, the U.K. also shared with the United States responsibility for civil administration in Iraq and was an active participant in the Coalition Provisional Authority before the handover of Iraqi sovereignty on June 28, 2004. Britain's participation in the Iraq war and its aftermath remains a domestically controversial issue.

<blockquote>
Iraqi oil supply was considered to be 'vital' to British interests. The British Government saw Iraqi oil as "vital" to the UK's long-term energy security, and the effective privatisation of its oil industry was central to the post-invasion plan for the country, according to previously unseen Whitehall documents. [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/iraqi-oil-supply-was-considered-to-be-vital-to-british-interests-2270072.html] ''The Independent.''
</blockquote>

The Iraq Inquiry is conducted to identify lessons that can be learned from the Iraq conflict; the inquiry is concerned over Mr. Blair's evidence on the legal advice he received before agreeing to join the invasion, and the timing of the decision to go to war. [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/chilcot-to-grill-blair-on-how-he-misled-iraq-war-inquiry-2185725.html] The Chair of the Inquiry, Sir John Chilcot (1939) was Staff Counsellor to the Security and Intelligence Agencies (1999-2004) and the National Criminal Intelligence Service (2002-06).

===Afghanistan===
Britain stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S., and its military forces are part of the coalition force in Afghanistan. The British force in [[Afghanistan War|Afghanistan]] is at 9,000 in late 2009 and will rise by an extra 500 troops in 2010. British forces are primarily based in the Helmand region, where they are on the front line in the war against continued Taliban operations. In addition, Britain has contributed more than £500 million to Afghan reconstruction--the second-largest donor after the U.S.
===Israel===
Britain has shown a greater willingness than the United States to criticize the Israelis over settlements and what some call the disproportionate responses to provocations from Gaza and southern Lebanon. (Jewish Labour MP Gerald Kaufman is among the most vocal.) Like his predecessors, both Labour and Conservative, former Foreign Secretary Milliband has been unequivocal: "Settlements are illegal under international law," he told Parliament in 2008; "They are a major blockage to peace in the Middle East on the basis of a two-state solution." His successor William Hague, on 20 March 2011, "expressed our serious concern over the recent announcement of 400 new housing units in the West Bank. Continued settlements run contrary to peace.” A BBC poll in March 2011 found that 14% of British subjects have a generally positive opinion of Israel while 66% have a generally negative opinion.

===Relations with the United States===
The United Kingdom is one of the United States' closest allies, and British foreign policy emphasises close coordination with the United States. Bilateral cooperation reflects the common language, ideals, and democratic practices of the two nations. Relations were strengthened by the countries' alliances during both World Wars, and its role as a founding member of NATO, in the Korean conflict, in the Persian Gulf War, and in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The United Kingdom and the United States continually consult on foreign policy issues and global problems and share major foreign and security policy objectives.

The United Kingdom is the fifth-largest market for U.S. goods exports after Canada, Mexico, Japan, and China, and the sixth-largest supplier of U.S. imports after Canada, China, Mexico, Japan, and Germany. U.S. exports of goods and services to the United Kingdom in 2006 totaled $92 billion, while U.S. imports from the U.K. totaled $93 billion. The United States has had a trade deficit with the United Kingdom since 1998. The United Kingdom is a large source of foreign tourists in the United States. In 2005, 3.4 million U.S. residents visited the United Kingdom, while 4.2 million U.K. residents visited the United States.

The United States and the United Kingdom share the world's largest foreign direct investment partnership. U.S. investment in the United Kingdom reached $324 billion in 2005, while U.K. direct investment in the U.S. totaled $282 billion. This investment sustains more than 1 million American jobs.

==Economy==
[[File:London.jpg|thumb|left|280px|London's financial center.]]
Britain has been hard hit by the [[Recession of 2008]], with its major banks taken over or subsidized by the government. Real gross domestic product declined by 4.6% in 2009, and is expected to rise by 0.6% before 2010 and probably will continue to increase by 1% in 2011.

Britain has the fifth-largest economy in the world, is the second-largest economy in the European Union, and is a major international trading power. A highly developed, diversified, market-based economy with extensive social welfare services provides most residents with a high standard of living. Unemployment and inflation levels are amongst the lowest within the European Union.

Since 1979, the British Government has privatised most state-owned companies, including British Steel, British Airways, British Telecom, British Coal, British Aerospace, and British Gas, although in some cases the government retains a "golden share" in these companies. The previous Labour government continued the privatisation policy of its Conservative predecessor, particularly by encouraging "public-private partnerships" (partial privatisation) in such areas as the London Underground. The economy of the United Kingdom is now primarily based on private enterprise, accounting for approximately four-fifths of employment and output.
[[File:Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent, England Crop 2009.jpg|thumb|440px|Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent, 2009.]]
London ranks alongside New York as a leading international financial centre. London's financial exports contribute greatly to the United Kingdom's balance of payments. Ratings agencies rank the United Kingdom's banking sector as one of the strongest in the world and its banks are amongst the most profitable in the G-8. It is a global leader in emissions trading and is home to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). It is also a government priority to make London the leading center of Islamic finance.

Britain is the European Union's only significant energy exporter. It is also one of the world's largest energy consumers, and most analysts predict a shift in U.K. status from net exporter to net importer of energy by 2020, possibly sooner. Oil production in the U.K. is levelling off. While North Sea natural gas production continues to rise, gains may be offset by ever-increasing consumption. North Sea oil and gas exploration activities are shifting to smaller fields and to increments of larger, developed fields, presenting opportunities for smaller, independent energy operators to become active in North Sea production.
*GDP (at current market prices, 2007 est.): US$1.93 trillion.
*Annual growth rate (2009 est.): -4.6%
*Per capita GDP (2006 est.): US$31,800.
*Natural resources: Coal, oil, natural gas.
*Agriculture (1.1% of GDP): Products--cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables, cattle, sheep, poultry, fish.
*Industry: Types--steel, heavy engineering and metal manufacturing, textiles, motor vehicles and aircraft, construction (5.2% of GDP), electronics, chemicals.
*Trade (2006 est.): Exports of goods and services--US$468.8 billion: manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverages, tobacco. Major markets--U.S., European Union. Imports of goods and services--US$603 billion: manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, foodstuffs. Major suppliers--U.S., European Union, Japan.

===Currency===
The currency of the United Kingdom is the [[Pound|Pound Sterling]], commonly called Pound and written £ or GBP, divided into 100 New Pence (now commonly just called pence or 'p'). Traditionally the UK had a complicated triple currency structure of 20 [[shilling|shillings]] to the Pound and 12 "old pence" (represented by a "d" from the Roman ''denarius'') to the shilling, making a total of 240 pence to the Pound. This system was abandoned in 1971 due to difficulties with computerised accounting systems, in favour of the current [[decimal]] system.

The UK has never joined the [[Euro]] zone.

==History==
[[File:Stonehenge.jpg|thumb|left|Stonehenge.]]
The Roman invasion of Britain in 43AD and most of Britain's subsequent incorporation into the Roman Empire stimulated development and brought more active contacts with the rest of Europe. However, there was no permanent Roman imprint apart from roads and locations for cities. As Rome's strength declined, the country again was exposed to invasion--including the pivotal incursions of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes in the fifth and sixth centuries AD--up to the Norman conquest in 1066. Norman rule effectively ensured Britain's safety from further intrusions; certain institutions, which remain characteristic of Britain, could develop. Among these are a political, administrative, cultural, and economic centre in London; a separate but established church and distinctive and distinguished university education.

====Union====

Both Wales and Scotland were independent kingdoms that resisted English rule. The English conquest of Wales succeeded in 1282 under Edward I, and the Statute of Rhuddlan established English rule 2 years later. To appease the Welsh, Edward's son (later Edward II), who had been born in Wales, was made Prince of Wales in 1301. The tradition of bestowing this title on the eldest son of the British Monarch continues today. An act of 1536 completed the political and administrative union of England and Wales.

While maintaining separate parliaments, England and Scotland were ruled by the same king beginning in 1603, when James VI of Scotland succeeded his cousin Elizabeth I as James I of England. In the ensuing 100 years, strong religious and political differences divided the kingdoms. Finally, in 1707, England and Scotland were unified as Great Britain, sharing a single Parliament at Westminster.

Ireland's invasion by the Anglo-Normans in 1170 led to centuries of strife. Successive English kings sought to conquer Ireland. In the early 17th century, large-scale settlement of the north from Scotland and England began. After its defeat, Ireland was subjected, with varying degrees of success, to control and regulation by Britain.

The legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland was completed on January 1, 1801, under the name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (normally shortened to "Great Britain" or "Britain"). However, armed struggle for independence continued sporadically into the 20th century. The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 established the Irish Free State, which subsequently left the Commonwealth and became a republic after World War II. Six northern, predominantly [[Protestant]], Irish counties have remained part of the United Kingdom.

====British Expansion and Empire====
[[Image:Sir Francis Grant's Portrait of Queen Victoria.jpg|right|200px|thumb|''Queen Victoria'', by [[Sir Francis Grant]].]]
The '''British Empire''' was the [[List of largest empires|largest empire]] in history and, for over a century, was the foremost [[Great power|global power]]. It was a product of the [[Age of Discovery]], which began with the maritime explorations of the 15th century, that sparked the era of the European [[Colonialism|colonial]] empires. By 1921, the British Empire held sway over a population of about 458 million people, approximately one-quarter of the world's population.<ref>Angus Maddison. ''The World Economy: A Millennial Perspective'' (p. 98, 242). [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|OECD]], Paris, 2001.</ref> It covered about 36.7 million km² (14.2 million square miles),<ref>Bruce R. Gordon. [http://www.hostkingdom.net/earthrul.html ''To Rule the Earth...''] (See [http://www.hostkingdom.net/Bibliography.html Bibliography] for sources used.)</ref> about a quarter of Earth's total land area. As a result, its political, linguistic and cultural legacy is widespread. At the peak of its power, it was often said that "[[The empire on which the sun never sets|the sun never sets on the British Empire]]" because its span across the globe ensured that the sun was always shining on at least one of its numerous [[colonies]] or subject nations.<ref>This phrase had already been used a few centuries before by the king [[Charles I of Spain]], referring to the [[Spanish Empire]].</ref>

Begun initially to support William the Conqueror's (c. 1029-1087) holdings in France, Britain's policy of active involvement in continental European affairs endured for several hundred years. By the end of the 14th century, foreign trade, originally based on wool exports to Europe, had emerged as a cornerstone of national policy.

During the five decades following [[World War II]], most of the territories of the Empire became independent. Many went on to join the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], a free association of independent states. <ref>T. O. Lloyd, ''The British Empire, 1558-1995. 2nd ed. (1996). </ref> Some have retained the [[British monarch]] as their [[head of state]] to become independent [[Commonwealth realm]]s.

====Sea Power====
The foundations of sea power were gradually laid to protect English trade and open up new routes. Defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 firmly established England as a major sea power. Thereafter, its interests outside Europe grew steadily. Attracted by the spice trade, English mercantile interests spread first to the Far East. In search of an alternate route to the Spice Islands, John Cabot reached the North American continent in 1498. Sir Walter Raleigh organized the first, short-lived colony in Virginia in 1584, and permanent English settlement began in 1607 at Jamestown, Virginia. During the next two centuries, Britain extended its influence abroad and consolidated its political development at home, as the Royal Navy dominated the seas.
====Industrial Revolution====
[[File:Bradford Industrial Museum.jpg|thumb|left|Bradford Industrial Museum.]]
Britain's [[industrial revolution]] greatly strengthened its ability to oppose Napoleonic France. By the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, Britain was the foremost European power, and its navy ruled the seas. Peace in Europe allowed the British to focus their interests on more remote parts of the world, and, during this period, the British Empire reached its zenith. British colonial expansion reached its height largely during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). Queen Victoria's reign witnessed the spread of British technology, commerce, language, and government throughout the British Empire, which, at its greatest extent, encompassed roughly one-fifth to one-quarter of the world's area and population. It is controversial whether British colonies accelerated or slowed Britain's economic growth, for its growth rate fell below nations without empires, especially the U.S. and germany. Democracy came in fits and starts in a series of reforms that finally, by the 1920s, allowed all adults to vote.

 

====End of Empire====
By the time of Queen Victoria's death in 1901, other nations, including the United States and Germany, had developed their own industries; Britain lost its comparative economic advantage, and the ambitions of its rivals had grown. The UK joined world war I because of the invasion of [[Belgium]], and subsequently began [[World War II]] after the invasion of [[Poland]]. The losses and destruction of [[World War I|The First World War]], the [[Great Depression]] of the 1930s, the independence of the Dominions, and decades of relatively slow growth eroded the Britain's preeminent international position of the previous century.

Nationalism became stronger in other parts of the empire, particularly in India and Egypt.

In 1926, Britain granted Australia, Canada, and New Zealand almost complete autonomy as "dominions"; beginning with the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, the remainder of the British Empire was almost completely dismantled by the 1960s.

== United Kingdom and moral decline ==
[[Image:Hitchens,_Stanford.jpg‎ |right|thumb|200px|[[Christopher Hitchens]] was an outspoken [[atheism|atheist]] in Britain.]]
''See also:'' [[Britain and morality]] and [[Atheism and morality]]

In 2011 and in recent years, there have been number of reports on the decline of morality in [[Britain]].<ref>
*[http://creation.com/britain-needs-god ''Britain needs God'' by Creation Ministries International]
*[http://creation.com/lying-as-survival-strategy ''Why is England burning? by Creation Ministries International'']
*[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8695318/UK-riots-David-Cameron-promises-to-restore-sense-of-morality-as-police-get-new-powers.html UK riots: David Cameron promises to restore 'sense of morality' as police get new powers]
*[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Editorials/Article.aspx?id=171651 British morality, Jerusalem Post, By JERUSALEM POST, 03/24/2010]
*[http://www.socialaffairsunit.org.uk/blog/archives/000237.php The Strange Death of Moral Britain by Christie Davies]
*[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/carl-mortished/uk-welfare-plan-saves-money-but-morally-bankrupt/article1790653/ U.K. welfare plan: Saves money, but morally bankrupt, Globe and Mail,Nov. 09, 2010 by Carl Mortished]</ref> [[Peter Hitchens]] is the [[ex-atheists|ex-atheist]], now [[Church of England]] brother of atheist [[Christopher Hitchens]]. In an article entitled "Britain Needs God" [[Creation Ministries International]] declared:
{{cquote|Peter also wrote of what he saw as the growing public discourtesy and incivility in [[Britain]]. When he returned to London, after a five-year absence, he was shocked by the decline in people’s behaviour. He commented, “The rapid vanishing of [[Christianity]] from public consciousness and life, as the last fully [[Christian]] generation ages and disappears, seems to me to be a major part of it. I do not think I would have been half so shocked by the squalor and rudeness of 1990 [[Moscow]], if I had not come from a country where Christian forbearance was still well-established. If I had then been able to see the [[London]] of 2010, I would have been equally shocked.” In many respects, Peter’s book is a warning to people, as to the kind of society they can expect if they continue to reject Christian beliefs.<ref>[http://creation.com/britain-needs-god ''Britain needs God'']</ref>}}

In an article entitled "Why is England Burning", the Australian Bible study site Creation Ministries International ascribed the British riots of August 2012 to a "moral and social decline" that has been "the inevitable consequence of a nation rejecting God and His Word."<ref>[http://creation.com/lying-as-survival-strategy ''Why is England burning?'']</ref>

According to data from the 2011 census, released on 11 December 2012, "The number of residents [of England and Wales] who stated that their religion was Christian in 2011 was fewer than in 2001. The size of this group decreased 13 percentage points to 59 per cent (33.2 million) in 2011 from 72 per cent (37.3 million) in 2001. The size of the group who stated that they had no religious affiliation increased by 10 percentage points from 15 per cent (7.7 million) in 2001 to 25 per cent (14.1 million) in 2011.[http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/index.htm]

== See also ==
*[[English Painting]]
*[[British politics]]
*[[June 2007 UK terror attacks]]

== External links ==

*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/15/sir-john-chilcot-wrong-man Sir John Chilcot 'wrong man to head Iraq invasion inquiry'.]
*[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/iraqi-oil-supply-was-considered-to-be-vital-to-british-interests-2270072.html Iraqi oil supply was considered to be 'vital' to British interests.]

== Notes ==

<references/>

{{European Union}}

[[Category:United Kingdom|United Kingdom]]
[[Category:European Countries]]
[[Category:NATO members]]
[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]
[[Category:British Empire]]

Talk:Scientism

2012-01-13T06:29:27Z

NicosB: Query re paragraph 2

==Application for Deletion==
I'm sorry but this is an atrociously bad article that should be deleted. --[[User:HarabecW|HarabecW]] 17:45, 27 June 2011 (EDT)
::The second paragraph doesn't appear to make sense where it states: "For example, the claim to know that God exists, despite the fact that it is technically scientifically impossible to disprove anything (i.e. negative proofs are impossible). Despite this, they continue to deny the existence of God without any real scientific proof." I'm afraid I don't understand this at all. Could someone explain please? [[User:NicosB|NicosB]] 01:29, 13 January 2012 (EST)

Talk:Writing Signups

2012-01-03T07:24:22Z

NicosB:

== Course Description? ==

I'm interested in the course, but am unsure whether I will have the time and whether I am over/under qualified. Could someone perhaps say a bit more about what the course will cover and what will be expected of the students? Will it be along the lines of the [[World History Lectures]]?--[[User:JustinD|JustinD]] 02:09, 3 January 2012 (EST)
::I'm interested also but I'd like a bit more information on the content/format if possible. many thanks [[User:NicosB|NicosB]] 02:24, 3 January 2012 (EST)

Crete

2011-12-21T06:46:03Z

NicosB: minor tidy

'''Crete''' (Kriti), is a [[Greece|Greek]] island in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and, with an area of 8,336km2, is the largest island in that sea. The oldest evidence for human habitation dates back to the pre-Pottery era, around 6100 - 5700 B.C. and was discovered in Knossos, later the capital of the [[Minoan civilization]]. United with Greece in December 1913, the current capital of Crete is [[Heraklion]] (also spelled Iraklion).

Part of the Eastern Roman, [[Byzantine]], Empire until 1204 and the Western Christian sack of Consatntinople, the island was allocated to the Genoese but sold to the Venetians for 1000 silver marks. The Venetians occupied the island and initially tried to impose Roman Catholicism on the Greek Orthodox inhabitants. This imposition, and the high taxes that the Venetiians brought with them, was resisted by the Cretans and the early Venetian rule was marked by a series of revolts against the conquerers. The later Venetian period was generally more stable.

In 1669, after a twenty three year struggle, the island finally fell into the hands of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Ottoman rule was marked by an almost continuous series of uprisings as the Cretans fought against their Muslim rulers. Notable events during these uprisings included the mass suicide of the Cretan rebels in the Monastery of Arkadi in 1866 and, later that year, the evacuation of Christian refugees from the south coast of the island by ships of the Royal Navy, French, Prussian and Russian Navies; evacuations carried out in breach of the Ottoman naval embargo in the island.

In 1897, with the total collapse of the Ottoman administration and amid scenes of violent ethnic cleansing as Christian Cretans sought revenge on Muslim Cretans for the latter’s support of the Ottoman regime and Cretan Muslims sought to maintain their favoured economic position, the island was occupied by forces from Italy, France, Britain and Russia. It then became a semi-autonomous state within the Ottoman Empire, its ruler being appointed by Greece but having to be approved by the Sublime Porte. The island finally achieved ‘enosis,’ union with Greece, following the end of the Second Balkan War in 1913.

The island was invaded by German forces in May 1941. Spearheaded by paratroops, ''Operation Merkuri'', though successful in gaining control of Crete, was a disaster for the German forces. In spite of the fact that the Greek Dictator Metaxas had disarmed the islanders because of their opposition to his right wing rule, the islanders rose up against the invaders with whatever weapons they had at hand and, aiding the Greek, New Zealand and British troops present, made the Germans pay dearly for every metre of ground they gained. Over 4,000 paratroopers were killed and the German 7th Airborne Division was virtually wiped out. The effect of the German setback was such that Hitler ordered that no German paratroop assaults were ever to be launched again. The islanders continued to resist the Germans until the very end of the occupation, paying a high price as towns and villages, such as Kandanos and Floria, were wiped out and their populations executed in reprisal for partisan attacks.

Cretans continued to display their thirst for freedom after the war, the island being one of the major sources of opposition to the right wing military regime of the ‘Colonels Junta’ who ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974.

The island is now a major tourist and agricultural centre.

Notable features of Crete include the [[Samaria Gorge]], the longest gorge in Europe, the [[Minoan]] remains at [[Knossos]] and the former [[leper]] colony at [[Spinalonga]].

In Greek mythology, Crete was the home of the Minotaur, a beast with the head of a bull on the body of a man. According to Cretan legend Zeus, the King of the Gods, was born on the island. However, the ancient Greeks believed that Zeus was born on Mount Olympus in northern Greece and this dispute gave rise to the ancient Greek saying "All Cretans are liars."
[[Category:Islands]]

Crete

2011-12-21T06:44:52Z

NicosB: more tidy up

'''Crete''' ("Kriti"), is a [[Greece|Greek]] island in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and, with an area of 8,336km2, is the largest island in that sea. The oldest evidence for human habitation dates back to the pre-Pottery era, around 6100 - 5700 B.C. and was discovered in Knossos, later the capital of the [[Minoan civilization]]. United with Greece in December 1913, the current capital of Crete is [[Heraklion]] (also spelled Iraklion).

Part of the Eastern Roman, [[Byzantine]], Empire until 1204 and the Western Christian sack of Consatntinople, the island was allocated to the Genoese but sold to the Venetians for 1000 silver marks. The Venetians occupied the island and initially tried to impose Roman Catholicism on the Greek Orthodox inhabitants. This imposition, and the high taxes that the Venetiians brought with them, was resisted by the Cretans and the early Venetian rule was marked by a series of revolts against the conquerers. The later Venetian period was generally more stable.

In 1669, after a twenty three year struggle, the island finally fell into the hands of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Ottoman rule was marked by an almost continuous series of uprisings as the Cretans fought against their Muslim rulers. Notable events during these uprisings included the mass suicide of the Cretan rebels in the Monastery of Arkadi in 1866 and, later that year, the evacuation of Christian refugees from the south coast of the island by ships of the Royal Navy, French, Prussian and Russian Navies; evacuations carried out in breach of the Ottoman naval embargo in the island.

In 1897, with the total collapse of the Ottoman administration and amid scenes of violent ethnic cleansing as Christian Cretans sought revenge on Muslim Cretans for the latter’s support of the Ottoman regime and Cretan Muslims sought to maintain their favoured economic position, the island was occupied by forces from Italy, France, Britain and Russia. It then became a semi-autonomous state within the Ottoman Empire, its ruler being appointed by Greece but having to be approved by the Sublime Porte. The island finally achieved ‘enosis,’ union with Greece, following the end of the Second Balkan War in 1913.

The island was invaded by German forces in May 1941. Spearheaded by paratroops, ''Operation Merkuri'', though successful in gaining control of Crete, was a disaster for the German forces. In spite of the fact that the Greek Dictator Metaxas had disarmed the islanders because of their opposition to his right wing rule, the islanders rose up against the invaders with whatever weapons they had at hand and, aiding the Greek, New Zealand and British troops present, made the Germans pay dearly for every metre of ground they gained. Over 4,000 paratroopers were killed and the German 7th Airborne Division was virtually wiped out. The effect of the German setback was such that Hitler ordered that no German paratroop assaults were ever to be launched again. The islanders continued to resist the Germans until the very end of the occupation, paying a high price as towns and villages, such as Kandanos and Floria, were wiped out and their populations executed in reprisal for partisan attacks.

Cretans continued to display their thirst for freedom after the war, the island being one of the major sources of opposition to the right wing military regime of the ‘Colonels Junta’ who ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974.

The island is now a major tourist and agricultural centre.

Notable features of Crete include the [[Samaria Gorge]], the longest gorge in Europe, the [[Minoan]] remains at [[Knossos]] and the former [[leper]] colony at [[Spinalonga]].

In Greek mythology, Crete was the home of the Minotaur, a beast with the head of a bull on the body of a man. According to Cretan legend Zeus, the King of the Gods, was born on the island. However, the ancient Greeks believed that Zeus was born on Mount Olympus in northern Greece and this dispute gave rise to the ancient Greek saying "All Cretans are liars."
[[Category:Islands]]

Crete

2011-12-21T06:42:01Z

NicosB: add Kriti and tidy up

'''Crete'','"Kriti," is a [[Greece|Greek]] island in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and, with an area of 8,336km2, is the largest island in that sea. The oldest evidence for human habitation dates back to the pre-Pottery era, around 6100 - 5700 B.C. and was discovered in Knossos, later the capital of the [Minoan civilization]]. United with Greece in December 1913, the current capital of Crete is [[Heraklion]] (also spelled Iraklion).

Part of the Eastern Roman, [[Byzantine]], Empire until 1204 and the Western Christian sack of Consatntinople, the island was allocated to the Genoese but sold to the Venetians for 1000 silver marks. The Venetians occupied the island and initially tried to impose Roman Catholicism on the Greek Orthodox inhabitants. This imposition, and the high taxes that the Venetiians brought with them, was resisted by the Cretans and the early Venetian rule was marked by a series of revolts against the conquerers. The later Venetian period was generally more stable.

In 1669, after a twenty three year struggle, the island finally fell into the hands of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Ottoman rule was marked by an almost continuous series of uprisings as the Cretans fought against their Muslim rulers. Notable events during these uprisings included the mass suicide of the Cretan rebels in the Monastery of Arkadi in 1866 and, later that year, the evacuation of Christian refugees from the south coast of the island by ships of the Royal Navy, French, Prussian and Russian Navies; evacuations carried out in breach of the Ottoman naval embargo in the island.

In 1897, with the total collapse of the Ottoman administration and amid scenes of violent ethnic cleansing as Christian Cretans sought revenge on Muslim Cretans for the latter’s support of the Ottoman regime and Cretan Muslims sought to maintain their favoured economic position, the island was occupied by forces from Italy, France, Britain and Russia. It then became a semi-autonomous state within the Ottoman Empire, its ruler being appointed by Greece but having to be approved by the Sublime Porte. The island finally achieved ‘enosis,’ union with Greece, following the end of the Second Balkan War in 1913.

The island was invaded by German forces in May 1941. Spearheaded by paratroops, ''Operation Merkuri'', though successful in gaining control of Crete, was a disaster for the German forces. In spite of the fact that the Greek Dictator Metaxas had disarmed the islanders because of their opposition to his right wing rule, the islanders rose up against the invaders with whatever weapons they had at hand and, aiding the Greek, New Zealand and British troops present, made the Germans pay dearly for every metre of ground they gained. Over 4,000 paratroopers were killed and the German 7th Airborne Division was virtually wiped out. The effect of the German setback was such that Hitler ordered that no German paratroop assaults were ever to be launched again. The islanders continued to resist the Germans until the very end of the occupation, paying a high price as towns and villages, such as Kandanos and Floria, were wiped out and their populations executed in reprisal for partisan attacks.

Cretans continued to display their thirst for freedom after the war, the island being one of the major sources of opposition to the right wing military regime of the ‘Colonels Junta’ who ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974.

The island is now a major tourist and agricultural centre.

Notable features of Crete include the [[Samaria Gorge]], the longest gorge in Europe, the [[Minoan]] remains at [[Knossos]] and the former [[leper]] colony at [[Spinalonga]].

In Greek mythology, Crete was the home of the Minotaur, a beast with the head of a bull on the body of a man. According to Cretan legend Zeus, the King of the Gods, was born on the island. However, the ancient Greeks believed that Zeus was born on Mount Olympus in northern Greece and this dispute gave rise to the ancient Greek saying "All Cretans are liars."
[[Category:Islands]]

Talk:World War I

2011-12-20T07:32:07Z

NicosB: Remove my earlier comment...put it in the wrong place

==Improve?==

Are we still doing the article improvement drive? This article says nothing about the events that led up to the war, or Wilson's 14 points plan. [[User:DanH|DanH]] 18:34, 25 April 2007 (EDT)

==Russian Revolution==

"the [[October Revolution]] ended any hopes for democracy within the former Tsarist territories for another two generations" - I would suggest it ended hopes until 1923 and the death of Lenin, when Russia seems to be on the verge of becoming a social democracy. Then, alas, Stalin won control. - Stevendavy
:Hope wasn't lost until Trotsky was kicked out. [[User:GodlessLiberal|GodlessLiberal]] 14:54, 29 April 2007 (EDT)

==Global war?==

"It was the first global war in history." It wasn't a global war. It was a European war. [[User:Blaise|Blaise]] 18:07, 8 May 2007 (EDT)

Blaise; there were engagements in the Middle East, West Africa, the Pacific. The only continent not to be involved was South America. and I am not too sure about that. The last full-scale mass cavalry charge in history took place at Beersheba in the Holy Land in October 1917...by Australians would you believe! It was bloody global, mate![[User:AlanE|AlanE]] 22:19, 15 May 2007 (EDT)

: All continents except Antarctica were involved

: Here is the full list

'''Australia''' 
Entered war together with Britain on 4 August 1914

'''Austria-Hungary''' 
Declared war with Serbia on 28 July 1914 
Declared war with Russia on 6 August 1914 
Declared war with Belgium on 28 August 1914 
Declared war with Portugal on 15 March 1916 

'''Belgium''' 
Invaded by Germany on 3 August 1914 

'''Bolivia''' 
Severed relations with Germany on 13 April 1917 

'''Brazil''' 
Severed relations with Germany on 11 April 1917 
Declared war with Germany on 26 October 1917 

'''Bulgaria''' 
Declared war with Serbia on 14 October 1915 
Declared war with Romania on 1 September 1916 

'''Canada''' 
Entered war together with Britain on 4 August 1914 

'''China''' 
Severed relations with Germany on 14 March 1917 
Declared war with Germany on 14 August 1917 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 14 August 1917 

'''Costa Rica''' 
Severed relations with Germany on 21 September 1917 
Declared war with Germany on 23 May 1918 

'''Cuba''' 
Declared war with Germany on 7 April 1917 

'''Ecuador''' 
Severed relations with Germany on 8 December 1917 

'''France''' 
Invaded by Germany on 2 August 1914 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 12 August 1914 
Declared war with Turkey on 5 November 1914 
Declared war with Bulgaria on 16 October 1915 

'''Germany''' 
Declared war with Russia on 1 August 1914 
Declared war with France on 3 August 1914 
Declared war with Belgium on 4 August 1914 
Declared war with Portugal on 9 March 1916 

'''Greece''' 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 27 June 1917 
Declared war with Bulgaria on 27 June 1917 
Declared war with Germany on 27 June 1917 
Declared war with Turkey on 27 June 1917 

'''Guatemala''' 
Declared war with Germany on 23 April 1918 

'''Haiti''' 
Declared war with Germany on 12 July 1918 

'''Honduras''' 
Declared war with Germany on 19 July 1918 

'''Italy''' 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 23 May 1915 
Declared war with Turkey on 21 August 1915 
Declared war with Germany on 28 August 1915 
Declared war with Bulgaria on 19 October 1915 

'''Japan''' 
Declared war with Germany on 23 August 1914 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 25 August 1914 

'''Liberia''' 
Declared war with Germany on 4 August 1914 

'''Montenegro''' 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 5 August 1914 
Declared war with Germany on 8 August 1914 
Declared war with Bulgaria on 15 October 1915 

'''New Zealand''' 
Entered war together with Britain on 4 August 1914 

'''Nicaragua''' 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 8 May 1918 
Declared war with Germany on 8 May 1918 

'''Panama''' 
Declared war with Germany on 7 April 1917 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 10 December 1917 

'''Peru''' 
Severed relations with Germany on 6 October 1917 

'''Portugal''' 
Entered war against Germany on 9 March 1916 
Entered war against Austria-Hungary on 15 March 1916 

'''Romania''' 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 27 August 1916 
Exited war with Treaty of Bucharest on 7 May 1918 
Re-entered the war on 10 November 1918 

'''Russia''' 
Declared war with Turkey on 2 November 1914 
Declared war with Bulgaria on 19 October 1915 

'''San Marino''' 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 3 June 1915 

'''Serbia''' 
Declared war with Germany on 6 August 1914 
Declared war with Turkey on 2 November 1914 

'''Siam''' 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 22 July 1917 
Declared war with Germany on 22 July 1917 

'''Turkey''' 
Declared war with Romania on 30 August 1916 
Severed relations with United States on 23 April 1917 

'''United Kingdom''' 
Declared war with Germany on 4 August 1914 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 12 August 1914 
Declared war with Turkey on 5 November 1914 
Declared war with Bulgaria on 15 October 1915 

'''United States of America''' 
Declared war with Germany on 6 April 1917 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 7 December 1917 

'''Uruguay''' 
Severed relations with Germany on 7 October 1917 

: This was a global war [[User:Samlake|Samlake]] 20:25, 9 March 2009 (EDT)

::The first global war was the [[Seven Year's War]], according to [[Winston Churchill]]. I am inclined to believe him.--[[User:JWeatherman|JWeatherman]] 10:01, 30 March 2009 (EDT)

==American casualties==
I would like to note the reasons behind the American troops having such a high mortality rate compared to other nations soldiers, but I'm not sure how to add it, partially due to it being rather unflattering on the parts of their commanders. Any thoughts? --[[User:JasonN|JasonN]] 00:03, 23 December 2009 (EST)

::if in doubt you can test it out on the talk page [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 00:47, 23 December 2009 (EST)

::(In that case...) Unfortunately, the American soldiers lost far more men during their time in the war than they should have compared to their allies. This was due in part to their skeptical view of the way the war was being conducted, inexperience, and an overzealousness to get to grips with the enemy. As a result, they fought in 1918 the way the European troops had fought in 1914. Also, many American officers ordered attacks to take place all the way up to the very minute of the November 11th armistice.
It's rough, but you get the idea. --[[User:JasonN|JasonN]] 09:21, 5 January 2010 (EST)
::how many battle deaths were there? [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 09:58, 5 January 2010 (EST)
:::There were 117,000 killed, and 207,000 wounded. The first time Americans participated on the front lines was in October of 1917, giving the AEF a total of a little over a year in the trenches. Additionally, the AEF didn't fight in many pitched battles against the German army that were comparable to Ypres, Verdun, or the Somme, due mostly to only arriving in large numbers near the end of the Micheal offensive. The battles the US troops fought in were almost (if not entirely) successes, they took more casualties than what would be expected when compared to nations that had been fighting since 1914-15. To their credit though, nobody could fault the US armies bravery in combat. Although, the allies casualty numbers for every nation are inflated by the Spanish influenza.--[[User:JasonN|JasonN]] 09:57, 6 January 2010 (EST)
:::less than half the deaths were in combat; most were flu. The Allies had rather higher rates. [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 10:45, 6 January 2010 (EST)
::::I agree that the Spanish flu of 1918 killed something over half of the US troops that died overseas, but it still doesn't diminish the fact that America lost over 50,000 killed in action post-Michael offensive with a relatively smaller section of the front to cover. Their biggest engagements were in the second half of the second Marne, Saint-Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne offensive of which only the last of which was an attack upon a well entrenched and armed force, and that being the bloodiest battle in American history. Lastly, to the commonwealth forces credit, they refrained from intentionally sending troops into battle during the days when the armistice of 1918 was being discussed, while French and American troops, seeking revenge and glory respectively, were still sending troops over the top.--[[User:JasonN|JasonN]] 09:49, 7 January 2010 (EST)

== Add images! ==

This article could be greatly improved with the addition of some photos. Most (if not all) WWI photos are in the public domain and are easy to find. I don't have sufficient edit rights to upload photos, so I encourage anyone with the ability to please add some pictures! Thanks. [[User:EMorris|EMorris]] 15:11, 31 August 2010 (EDT)

==Darwinism==

I'm confused by the inclusion of a quote regarding darwinism and evolution at the introduction paragraph of the article. I've read a number of sources relating to the first world war, and only on the conservapedia page have I heard this vague reference to darwinism. I don't feel it's necessary, as it really was not a cause of WW1. Entangling alliances are by far the more important factor. Frankly, I think the current attempt to link it with evolution appears a desperate grasping at straws. {{unsigned|JasonN}}

== Re Aircraft==

They were actually first used in combat by the Greek army in the First Balkan War in 1912. I think the reference in the opening section should be removed in the interests of accuracy. [[User:NicosB|NicosB]] 02:29, 20 December 2011 (EST)

Talk:World War I

2011-12-20T07:29:36Z

NicosB: Re:Aircraft & first use in combat

==Improve?==

Are we still doing the article improvement drive? This article says nothing about the events that led up to the war, or Wilson's 14 points plan. [[User:DanH|DanH]] 18:34, 25 April 2007 (EDT)

==Russian Revolution==

"the [[October Revolution]] ended any hopes for democracy within the former Tsarist territories for another two generations" - I would suggest it ended hopes until 1923 and the death of Lenin, when Russia seems to be on the verge of becoming a social democracy. Then, alas, Stalin won control. - Stevendavy
:Hope wasn't lost until Trotsky was kicked out. [[User:GodlessLiberal|GodlessLiberal]] 14:54, 29 April 2007 (EDT)

==Global war?==

"It was the first global war in history." It wasn't a global war. It was a European war. [[User:Blaise|Blaise]] 18:07, 8 May 2007 (EDT)

Blaise; there were engagements in the Middle East, West Africa, the Pacific. The only continent not to be involved was South America. and I am not too sure about that. The last full-scale mass cavalry charge in history took place at Beersheba in the Holy Land in October 1917...by Australians would you believe! It was bloody global, mate![[User:AlanE|AlanE]] 22:19, 15 May 2007 (EDT)

: All continents except Antarctica were involved

==Aircraft==
Aircraft were first used in combat in the First Balkan War in 1912 by the Greek Army. I suggest removing this reference in the main text. ~~
: Here is the full list

'''Australia''' 
Entered war together with Britain on 4 August 1914

'''Austria-Hungary''' 
Declared war with Serbia on 28 July 1914 
Declared war with Russia on 6 August 1914 
Declared war with Belgium on 28 August 1914 
Declared war with Portugal on 15 March 1916 

'''Belgium''' 
Invaded by Germany on 3 August 1914 

'''Bolivia''' 
Severed relations with Germany on 13 April 1917 

'''Brazil''' 
Severed relations with Germany on 11 April 1917 
Declared war with Germany on 26 October 1917 

'''Bulgaria''' 
Declared war with Serbia on 14 October 1915 
Declared war with Romania on 1 September 1916 

'''Canada''' 
Entered war together with Britain on 4 August 1914 

'''China''' 
Severed relations with Germany on 14 March 1917 
Declared war with Germany on 14 August 1917 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 14 August 1917 

'''Costa Rica''' 
Severed relations with Germany on 21 September 1917 
Declared war with Germany on 23 May 1918 

'''Cuba''' 
Declared war with Germany on 7 April 1917 

'''Ecuador''' 
Severed relations with Germany on 8 December 1917 

'''France''' 
Invaded by Germany on 2 August 1914 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 12 August 1914 
Declared war with Turkey on 5 November 1914 
Declared war with Bulgaria on 16 October 1915 

'''Germany''' 
Declared war with Russia on 1 August 1914 
Declared war with France on 3 August 1914 
Declared war with Belgium on 4 August 1914 
Declared war with Portugal on 9 March 1916 

'''Greece''' 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 27 June 1917 
Declared war with Bulgaria on 27 June 1917 
Declared war with Germany on 27 June 1917 
Declared war with Turkey on 27 June 1917 

'''Guatemala''' 
Declared war with Germany on 23 April 1918 

'''Haiti''' 
Declared war with Germany on 12 July 1918 

'''Honduras''' 
Declared war with Germany on 19 July 1918 

'''Italy''' 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 23 May 1915 
Declared war with Turkey on 21 August 1915 
Declared war with Germany on 28 August 1915 
Declared war with Bulgaria on 19 October 1915 

'''Japan''' 
Declared war with Germany on 23 August 1914 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 25 August 1914 

'''Liberia''' 
Declared war with Germany on 4 August 1914 

'''Montenegro''' 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 5 August 1914 
Declared war with Germany on 8 August 1914 
Declared war with Bulgaria on 15 October 1915 

'''New Zealand''' 
Entered war together with Britain on 4 August 1914 

'''Nicaragua''' 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 8 May 1918 
Declared war with Germany on 8 May 1918 

'''Panama''' 
Declared war with Germany on 7 April 1917 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 10 December 1917 

'''Peru''' 
Severed relations with Germany on 6 October 1917 

'''Portugal''' 
Entered war against Germany on 9 March 1916 
Entered war against Austria-Hungary on 15 March 1916 

'''Romania''' 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 27 August 1916 
Exited war with Treaty of Bucharest on 7 May 1918 
Re-entered the war on 10 November 1918 

'''Russia''' 
Declared war with Turkey on 2 November 1914 
Declared war with Bulgaria on 19 October 1915 

'''San Marino''' 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 3 June 1915 

'''Serbia''' 
Declared war with Germany on 6 August 1914 
Declared war with Turkey on 2 November 1914 

'''Siam''' 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 22 July 1917 
Declared war with Germany on 22 July 1917 

'''Turkey''' 
Declared war with Romania on 30 August 1916 
Severed relations with United States on 23 April 1917 

'''United Kingdom''' 
Declared war with Germany on 4 August 1914 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 12 August 1914 
Declared war with Turkey on 5 November 1914 
Declared war with Bulgaria on 15 October 1915 

'''United States of America''' 
Declared war with Germany on 6 April 1917 
Declared war with Austria-Hungary on 7 December 1917 

'''Uruguay''' 
Severed relations with Germany on 7 October 1917 

: This was a global war [[User:Samlake|Samlake]] 20:25, 9 March 2009 (EDT)

::The first global war was the [[Seven Year's War]], according to [[Winston Churchill]]. I am inclined to believe him.--[[User:JWeatherman|JWeatherman]] 10:01, 30 March 2009 (EDT)

==American casualties==
I would like to note the reasons behind the American troops having such a high mortality rate compared to other nations soldiers, but I'm not sure how to add it, partially due to it being rather unflattering on the parts of their commanders. Any thoughts? --[[User:JasonN|JasonN]] 00:03, 23 December 2009 (EST)

::if in doubt you can test it out on the talk page [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 00:47, 23 December 2009 (EST)

::(In that case...) Unfortunately, the American soldiers lost far more men during their time in the war than they should have compared to their allies. This was due in part to their skeptical view of the way the war was being conducted, inexperience, and an overzealousness to get to grips with the enemy. As a result, they fought in 1918 the way the European troops had fought in 1914. Also, many American officers ordered attacks to take place all the way up to the very minute of the November 11th armistice.
It's rough, but you get the idea. --[[User:JasonN|JasonN]] 09:21, 5 January 2010 (EST)
::how many battle deaths were there? [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 09:58, 5 January 2010 (EST)
:::There were 117,000 killed, and 207,000 wounded. The first time Americans participated on the front lines was in October of 1917, giving the AEF a total of a little over a year in the trenches. Additionally, the AEF didn't fight in many pitched battles against the German army that were comparable to Ypres, Verdun, or the Somme, due mostly to only arriving in large numbers near the end of the Micheal offensive. The battles the US troops fought in were almost (if not entirely) successes, they took more casualties than what would be expected when compared to nations that had been fighting since 1914-15. To their credit though, nobody could fault the US armies bravery in combat. Although, the allies casualty numbers for every nation are inflated by the Spanish influenza.--[[User:JasonN|JasonN]] 09:57, 6 January 2010 (EST)
:::less than half the deaths were in combat; most were flu. The Allies had rather higher rates. [[User:RJJensen|RJJensen]] 10:45, 6 January 2010 (EST)
::::I agree that the Spanish flu of 1918 killed something over half of the US troops that died overseas, but it still doesn't diminish the fact that America lost over 50,000 killed in action post-Michael offensive with a relatively smaller section of the front to cover. Their biggest engagements were in the second half of the second Marne, Saint-Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne offensive of which only the last of which was an attack upon a well entrenched and armed force, and that being the bloodiest battle in American history. Lastly, to the commonwealth forces credit, they refrained from intentionally sending troops into battle during the days when the armistice of 1918 was being discussed, while French and American troops, seeking revenge and glory respectively, were still sending troops over the top.--[[User:JasonN|JasonN]] 09:49, 7 January 2010 (EST)

== Add images! ==

This article could be greatly improved with the addition of some photos. Most (if not all) WWI photos are in the public domain and are easy to find. I don't have sufficient edit rights to upload photos, so I encourage anyone with the ability to please add some pictures! Thanks. [[User:EMorris|EMorris]] 15:11, 31 August 2010 (EDT)

==Darwinism==

I'm confused by the inclusion of a quote regarding darwinism and evolution at the introduction paragraph of the article. I've read a number of sources relating to the first world war, and only on the conservapedia page have I heard this vague reference to darwinism. I don't feel it's necessary, as it really was not a cause of WW1. Entangling alliances are by far the more important factor. Frankly, I think the current attempt to link it with evolution appears a desperate grasping at straws. {{unsigned|JasonN}}

== Re Aircraft==

They were actually first used in combat by the Greek army in the First Balkan War in 1912. I think the reference in the opening section should be removed in the interests of accuracy. [[User:NicosB|NicosB]] 02:29, 20 December 2011 (EST)

Byzantium

2011-12-19T15:47:08Z

NicosB: delete refernces to Turks: correct spelling

Byzantium was a [[Greek]] city, according to legend first settled by [[Megarian]]s and [[Argive]]s under (the probably fictional) '''Byzas''' about 657 B.C.. In 196 A.D. it became nearly completely destroyed by [[Septimus Severus]]. Later, he rebuild large parts of the town and renamed it '''Augusta Antonia'''. The city was refounded by the Roman Emperor [[Constantine the Great]] in 330 A.D. with special ceremonies, some of which were in his newly adopted Christian religion but most of which were in the traditional Roman religion therefore reinforcing the political link with Rome, and became shortly afterwards the new capital of the Eastern Roman Emperor; renamed Constantinople after the Emperor.

It remained the capital of the eastern part of the empire when the empire was divided into two halves in 395 A.D., and whereas the western half fell to [[Barbarian]] invasions in the space of less than a century, the eastern half survived through the entire [[Medieval]] period. Initially the centre of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, it was sacked by the Western Christian forces of the Fourth Crusade in 1204 and wasn't regained by the Byzantines, under Emperor Michael VIII Palaeologous, until 1261. After this it grow weaker and smaller.

Constantinople finally fell to Ottoman forces on Tuesday 29 May 1453 A.D. It is today the Turkish city of Istanbul.

[[Category:Ottoman Empire]]
[[category:Byzantine Empire]]

Byzantium

2011-12-19T15:45:05Z

NicosB: add detail re name and foundation by Constantine

Byzantium was a [[Greek]] city, according to legend first settled by [[Megarian]]s and [[Argive]]s under (the probably fictional) '''Byzas''' about 657 B.C.. In 196 A.D. it became nearly completely destroyed by [[Septimus Severus]]. Later, he rebuild large parts of the town and renamed it '''Augusta Antonia'''. The city was refounded by the Roman Emperor [[Constantine the Great]] in 330 A.D. with special ceremonies, some of which were in his newly adopted Christian religion but most of which were in the traditional Roman religion therefore reinforcing the political link with Rome, and became shortly afterwards the new capital of the Eastern Roman Emperor; renamed Constantinople after the Emperor. It remained the capital of the eastern part of the empire when the empire was divided into two halves in 395 A.D., and whereas the western half fell to [[Barbarian]] invasions in the space of less than a century, the eastern half survived through the entire [[Medieval]] period. Initially the centre of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, it was sacked by the Western Christian forces of the Fourth Crusade in 1204 and wasn't regained by the Byzantines, under Emperor Michael VIII Palaeologous, until 1261. After this it grow weaker and smaller, until Constantinople finally fell to the Turks on Tuesdday 29 May 1453 A.D. It is today the Turkish city of Istanbul.

[[Category:Ottoman Empire]]
[[category:Byzantine Empire]]

Greece

2011-12-13T08:18:13Z

NicosB: Add details re 1917-1923 and update PM details

{{Country
|name =''Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Ellīnikī́ Dīmokratía''
|map =Greece rel96.jpg
|map2 =Greece location.png
|flag =Flag of Greece.png
|arms =Arms of Greece.png
|capital =Athens
|capital-raw =
|government =Parliamentary Republic
|government-raw =
|language =Greek
|king =
|queen =
|monarch-raw =
|president =Karolos Papoulias
|president-raw =
|chancellor =
|chancellor-raw =
|pm =Lucas Papademos
|pm-raw =
|area =50,944 sq mi
|pop =11,170,957 (2007)
|pop-basis =
|gdp =
|gdp-year =$305.595 billion(2007)
|gdp-pc =$27,360 (2007)
|currency =euro
|idd =
|tld =
}}
'''Greece''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Ελλάδα, ''Elláda''; officially: Ελληνική Δημοκρατία, "Hellenic Democracy") is a [[Balkan]] country located in the Southeastern part of [[Europe]]. It is also used as a
collective term for the ancient civilizations of that geographic area. It is now a developed country
<ref>http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1127.html</ref> and
member of the [[EU]] (European Union) and [[NATO]].

Greece was hit hard by the worldwide [[Recession of 2008]], and government finances are chaotic. The government deficit of 12.7% of GDP is the highest in the EU.

==Geography==
[[File:Aegean sea Greece.JPG|thumb|left|Aegean sea.]]
The mainland of Greece consists of two large parts connected by a small land bridge at the Gulf of Corinth (this has since been divided by the man-made Corinthian Canal), as well as nearly all the islands within the [[Aegean Sea]].
*Area: 131,957 sq. km. (51,146 sq. mi.; roughly the size of Alabama).
*Major cities: Capital--Athens. Greater Athens (pop. 3,566,060), municipality of Athens (772,072), Greater Thessaloniki (pop. 1,057,825), *Thessaloniki (824,633), Piraeus (182,671), Greater Piraeus (880,529), Patras (170,452), Iraklion (132,117), Larissa (113,090).
*Terrain: Mountainous interior with coastal plains; 1,400-plus islands.
*Climate: Mediterranean; mild, wet winter and hot, dry summer.

==People==
[[File:Greek dancer in traditional costume.jpg|thumb|left|Greek dancer in traditional costume.]]
Greece was inhabited as early as the Paleolithic period and by 3000 B.C. had become home, in the Cycladic Islands, to a culture whose art remains among the most evocative in world history. In the second millennium B.C, the island of [[Crete]] nurtured the maritime empire of the [[Minoan]]s, whose trade reached from [[Egypt]] to [[Sicily]]. The Minoans were supplanted by the [[Mycenaean]]s of the Greek mainland, who spoke a dialect of ancient Greek. The roots of Greek language and culture date back at least 3,500 years and its history is conventionally split into 3 major periods: Classical (1,500 BC - 4th century AD), Byzantine (4th century AD - 15th century) and Modern (15th century through today).
<ref> Greek: A History of the Language and Its Speakers
by Geoffrey C. Horrocks </ref>
[[File:Alexander the Great Pericles Constantine XI Eleftherios Venizelos.jpg|right|270px|Alexander the Great, Pericles, Constantine XI and Eleftherios Venizelos.]]
*Population (2005 est.): 11,104,000 million. (Immigrants make up approximately 10% of the population.)
*Growth rate (2007 estimated): 0.163%.
*Languages: Greek 99% (official); Turkish, others. Albanian is spoken by approximately 700,000 Albanian immigrants. English is the predominant second language.
*Religions: Greek Orthodox (approximately 98% of citizens), with Muslim (1.3%), Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, and other religious communities.
*Education: Years compulsory--9. Literacy--97.5%. All levels are free.
*Health: Infant mortality rate--5.43/1,000. Life expectancy--male 76.72 years, female 81.91 years.
*Work force: 4.72 million.

====Religion====
[[File:Greek church.jpg|thumb|left|Church in Oia, Santorini.]]
[[Eastern Orthodox]] [[Christianity]] is the dominant religion in Greece and receives state support. During the centuries of [[Ottoman]] domination, the [[Greek Orthodox Church]] helped preserve the Greek language and cultural identity and was an important rallying point in the struggle for independence. There is a centuries-old [[Muslim]] religious minority concentrated in [[Thrace]] and an estimated 300,000 Muslim immigrants living elsewhere in the country. Smaller religious communities in Greece include Old Calendar Orthodox, [[Catholic]]s, [[Protestant]]s, [[Jew]]s, [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], [[Mormon]]s etc. <ref>
Minorities in Greece by Richard Clogg (2002)
</ref>

Greek education is free and compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 15. Overall responsibility for education rests with the Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs. Private colleges and universities (mostly foreign) do have campuses in Greece, although their degrees are not recognized by the Greek state. Entrance to public universities is determined by state-administered exams.
{{Clear}}

==Government and Political Conditions==
The October 2009 elections were convincingly won by the social-democratic Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) which had been in opposition. The new prime minister is George Papandreou, a former foreign minister whose father and grandfather also served as prime ministers.

Greece is a [[parliamentary republic]] whose constitution was last amended in April 2001. There are three branches of government. The executive includes the president, who is head of state, and the prime minister, who is head of government. There is a 300-seat unicameral "Vouli" (legislature). The judicial branch includes a Supreme Court. Administrative subdivisions include 13 peripheries (regional districts) and 51 nomi (prefectures). Suffrage is universal at 18.

===Foreign Relations===
[[Image:Greek national costume.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Serviceman in the Greek Army, dressed in the national costume.]]
Greece's foreign policy is aligned with that of its EU partners. Greece gives particular emphasis to its close relations with Cyprus but also has growing political and economic ties with the Balkan countries and the Middle East.

Greece maintains full diplomatic, political, and economic relations with its Southeast European neighbors and regards itself as a leader of the region's Euro-Atlantic integration process. It provides peacekeeping contingents for Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan. Greece has good relations with Russia and has embassies in a number of the central Asian republics, which it sees as potentially important trading partners.

Prominent issues in Greek foreign policy include Greek-Turkish differences in the Aegean, the name dispute with Macedonia and the reunification of Cyprus.

====Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)====
The Greek dispute with its northern neighbor over its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, has been an important issue in Greek politics since 1992 and has inhibited the development of the bilateral relations to their fullest. Greece is weary of irredentist claims to the Greek province of Macedonia by certain FYROM circles. It is adamantly opposed to the use by FYROM of ethnic symbols that have historically been associated with Greek history in the geographic area of Macedonia and, in particular to the use of "Macedonia" by the government in Skopje. <ref> Greece: A Modern Sequel by John S. Koliopoulos and Thanos M. Veremis (2002)
</ref> Mediation efforts by the UN and the United States brokered an interim agreement whereby Greece recognized the country as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in September 1995. Since then, relations between the country developed rapidly, especially, in the economic sector where Greek entrepreneurs and direct aid have been crucial to FYROM's transition from a communist to a capitalist economy. Talks on the only outstanding issue remaining, that of the name, continue under UN auspices.

====Albania====
Greece restored diplomatic relations with Albania in 1971, but the Greek Government did not formally lift the state of war, declared during World War II, until 1987. After the fall of the Albanian communist regime in 1991, relations between Athens and Tirana became increasingly strained because of allegations of mistreatment of the Greek ethnic minority by Albanian authorities in southern Albania. A wave of Albanian illegal economic migrants to Greece exacerbated tensions. In the past several years, however, cooperation between Greece and Albania has improved, with efforts focused on regional issues, such as narcotics trafficking and illegal immigration. Greece remains host to 600,000-800,000 Albanian immigrants, many of them illegal. Crime in Greece involving Albanians often attracts headlines.

====Greek-Turkish Relations====
[[File:Meeting between Turkish and Greek ministers in Erzurum.jpg|thumb|left|280px|Turkish and Greek ministers, 2011.]]
Greece and Turkey have unresolved issues regarding the Aegean maritime boundary, the treatment of the Orthodox Church and Greek minority in Istanbul, and the Muslim minority in western Thrace. The largest source of tension in their relationship since 1974 has been the Cyprus conflict. Various UN-led efforts over the years to resolve the issue on a bizonal, bicommunal basis have failed: the latest attempt, the Annan Plan, was overwhelmingly rejected by Greek Cypriots in March 2004. Turkish Cypriots voted in favor of the plan and both Greece and Turkey expressed their approval. The Republic of Cyprus entered the EU on May 1, 2004 as a divided island. The UN is currently assessing whether the political will exists among the interested parties to restart negotiations.

At times over the past three decades, tensions between Greece and Turkey have almost reached the point of armed conflict. In 1996, President Clinton intervened to help avert a possible armed exchange after Greek and Turkish journalists generated a dispute over ownership of a tiny, uninhabited but strategically located islet called Imia (Kardak in Turkish). A significant breakthrough in relations took place when major earthquakes hit Turkey and Greece in 1999. Both countries and peoples responded generously to the other's need, helping turn around official perceptions that rapprochement was too risky politically. Since that time, Greek and Turkish Foreign Ministers have increased the quantity and quality of bilateral exchanges, both official and unofficial. However, the seriousness of the tensions is manifested by the fact that Turkey still maintains a list of issues that constitute casus belli in its relations with Greece.

Greece has endorsed and supported Turkey's bid for candidacy to the European Union since the Helsinki EU Summit in 1999. Despite continuing disagreements with Ankara over Cyprus and the Aegean, Greek opinion leaders across the political spectrum are convinced that Greece's long-term interests are best served by Turkey's successfully fulfilling the requirements for membership and joining the European Union. The EU opened accession talks with Turkey on October 3, 2005. <ref>A Concise History of Greece (Cambridge Concise Histories) by Richard Clogg (2002)</ref>

====The Middle East====
Greece claims a special interest in the Middle East because of its geographic position and its economic and historic ties to the area. Greece cooperated with allied forces during the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War. Since 1994, Greece has signed defense cooperation agreements with Israel and Egypt. In recent years, Greek leaders have hosted several meetings of Israeli and Palestinian politicians to contribute to the peace process. Greece has been traditionally sympathetic to Palestinian problems. However, beginning in the late 1990s, efforts to strike a more balanced relationship with Israel received a boost. Greek-Israeli relations have in the past been complicated by Israel's strategic cooperation with Turkey. Israeli President Moshe Katsav visited Greece in 2006, the first-ever official visit by an Israeli head of state.

==Economy==
[[File:Corfu Greece.jpg|thumb|300px|The port of Corfu in the Ionian Sea.]]
Greece adopted the euro as its new common currency in January 2002. The adoption of the euro provided Greece (formerly a high [[inflation]] risk country under the drachma) with access to competitive loan rates and also to low rates of the Eurobond market. This led to a dramatic increase in consumer spending which gave a significant boost to economic growth. This credit also led to a more relaxed fiscal policy starting in 2002, which, combined with expenditures associated with the preparation of the Athens 2004 Olympics, resulted in higher than intended deficits and debt in 2003 and 2004. The government deficit in 2004 is now estimated by the Greek government to have reached 6.6% of GDP. As a result of lower post-Olympic spending, the government deficit in 2005 is estimated to have been lowered to 4.3% of GDP, with a debt to GDP ratio of 107.9%. The administration pledged to reduce the government debt to 2.6% of GDP in 2006 and to tighten fiscal finances, under an EC excessive deficit surveillance program.
*GDP: $314.4 billion.
*Per capita GDP: $28,280.
*Growth rate: 4.0%.
*Inflation rate: 3.0%.
*Unemployment rate (annual average): 8.3%.
*Natural resources: Bauxite, lignite, magnesite, oil, marble.
*Agriculture (5.4% of GDP): Products--sugar beets, wheat, maize, tomatoes, olives, olive oil, grapes, raisins, wine, oranges, peaches, tobacco, cotton, livestock, dairy products.
*Manufacturing (21.3% of GDP): Types--processed foods, shoes, textiles, metals, chemicals, electrical equipment, cement, glass, transport equipment, petroleum products, construction, electrical power.
*Services (73.3% of GDP): Transportation, tourism, communications, trade, banking, public administration, defense.
*Trade: Exports--$23.5 billion: manufactured goods, food and beverages, petroleum products, cement, chemicals. Major markets--Germany, Italy, France, U.S., U.K. Imports--$75.8 billion: basic manufactures, food and animals, crude oil, chemicals, machinery, transport equipment. Major suppliers--Germany, Italy, France, Japan, Netherlands, U.S.
[[File:Plomari Port Greece 2004.JPG|thumb|left|240px|Plomari Port.]]
The Greek economy is estimated to have grown by 3.6% in 2005 and similar growth rates are projected through 2007. These growth rates resulted in a drop in unemployment (to 7.3% in the second quarter of 2007 from 10.4% in the same period in 2004). Foreign direct investment inflow has also dropped, and efforts to revive it have been only partially successful. At the same time, Greek investment in Southeast Europe has increased, leading to a net FDI outflow in some years.

Services make up the largest and fastest-growing sector of the Greek economy. About 14 million tourists were estimated to have visited Greece in 2005, with net revenues of about 10 billion euros. Remittances from transport (mainly shipping) are growing, and actually exceeded tourism receipts in 2004 and 2005. Receipts from tourism and transport have covered a significant portion of Greece's large trade deficit. Industrial activity has shown a mixed performance, with certain sectors such as the food industry and high-tech/telecommunications showing healthy increases, while textiles have declined. Agriculture employs about 12% of the work force and is still characterized by small farms and low capital investment, despite significant support from the EU in structural funds and subsidies. Traditionally a seafaring nation, the Greek-owned merchant fleet totaled 3,338 ships in March 2005, 8.7% of the world merchant fleet and 16.5% of world tonnage.

====European Union (EU) Membership====
Greece has realigned its economy as part of its transition to full EU membership that began in 1981. Greece last held the rotating EU presidency in the first half of 2003. Greek businesses continue to adjust to competition from EU firms, and the government has liberalized its economic and commercial regulations and practices.

Greece has been a major net beneficiary of the EU budget; in 2004, EU transfers accounted for 3.6% of GDP and are estimated to have been approximately 3.2% of GDP in 2005. From 1994-99, about $20 billion in EU structural funds and Greek national financing were spent on projects to modernize Greece's transportation network in time for the Olympics in 2004. The centerpiece was the construction of the new international airport near Athens, which opened in March 2001 soon after the launch of the new Athens subway system.

EU transfers to Greece continued with approximately $24 billion in structural funds for the period 2000-2006. Bureaucratic obstacles have led to significant delays in Greece's absorbing these funds which means that Greece may forfeit a portion of that. The same level of EU funding, $24 billion, has been allocated for Greece for 2007-2013. EU funds will continue to finance major public works and economic development projects, upgrade competitiveness and human resources, improve living conditions, and address disparities between poorer and more developed regions of the country.

==History==
====Ancient History====

[[File:Beginnings hist greece.jpg|thumb|left|700 - 600 B.C.]]
[[Ancient Greece]] had a lot of influence on many of today's cultural achievements, like democracy and the art of debating. The ancient Greeks were pagans, believing in their own pantheon of numerous gods.
[[Image:Greece Delphi Temple Apollo.jpg|thumb|250px|Delphi, Temple of Apollo.]]
Greece was instrumental in the spread and subsequent growth of [[Christianity]]. The first town of (today's) [[Europe]] Paul set foot in was [[Philipi]] in Northern Greece and the [[Athens]] hill on which he preached is one of the most important
landmarks of the town. It is generally accepted that the Greek-speaking part of the [[Roman Empire]] was the first one to abandon paganism <ref>Renaissance and Reformation: The Intellectual Genesis, by A. Levi Yale University Press (2004) </ref> and certainly, [[Constantine|Constantine the Great]], the first Christian Roman Emperor, moved his capital to [[Constantinople]] in the Greek East. Most of the great Church Fathers were either Greek or primarily active in the Greek-speaking areas of the Empire <ref>The Teachings of the Church Fathers, by John Randolph Willis, Ignatius Press (2002)</ref> (See: [[Greek influence on Western Culture]])

The [[Byzantine Empire]], as it was late called, was a continuation of the (Eastern) Roman Empire, but it was gradually identified with the Greek national conscience and the [[Greek-Orthodox]] Church. <ref>History of the Byzantine State, by G. Ostrogorski, Rutgers University Press (1986)</ref> The Byzantine State was dissolved after the conquest of [[Constantinople]] by the [[Ottoman Turks]] in 1453. The Greeks, along with the other Orthodox subjects of the Ottoman Empire, were represented by the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]] of [[Constantinople]] and the Greek-Orthodox Patriarch was responsible for the obedience of the Orthodox subjects to the Sultan.

====Modern History====
The Greek War of Independence began in 1821 and concluded in 1830 when England, France, and Russia forced the Ottoman Empire to grant Greece its independence under a European monarch, Prince Otto of Bavaria.
[[Image:Gyzis After the Destruction of Psara.jpg|thumb|300px|''After the Destruction of Psara'' by [[Nikolaos Gyzis]] (1842 - 1901)]]
At independence, Greece had an area of 47,515 square kilometers (18,346 square mi.), and its northern boundary extended from the Gulf of Volos to the Gulf of Arta. Under the influence of the "Megali Idea," the expansion of the Greek state to include all areas of Greek population, Greece acquired the Ionian islands in 1864; Thessaly and part of Epirus in 1881; Macedonia, Crete, Epirus, and the Aegean islands in 1913; Western Thrace in 1918; and the Dodecanese islands in 1947.

Greece was politically divided as to which side to support during World War I, the king, Constantine I, wished to support the Central Powers and Prime Minister Venizelos wished to support Britain and France. The king dismissed Venizelos who set up a rival government in Thessaloniki and invited Allied troops to enter the country; which they did in 1917. The king went into exile and the split between Venizelos supporters and the Royalist parties began the 'Nation Schism' which was to mark the politics of Greece for the first half of the twentieth century. After the war, Greece supplied the overwhealming majority of the troops that took part in the Allied occupation of Turkey, where many Greeks still lived. Venizelos lost the general election in 1921 and the king returned. In late 1921, under Royalist Officers, those supporting Venizelos having been cashiered, the Greek army marched toward Ankara. It failed to reach it and was eventually defeated by Turkish forces led by Ataturk and forced to withdraw. Following the Greek defeat, in September 1922 Turkish troops sacked and burnt the town of Smyrna (now Izmir) resulting in the deaths of up to 30,000 Greek and Armenian refugess while British, French and American warships in the harbour, pleading neutrality, refused to pick up those attempting to flee; having their bands play loud music to drown out the cries from the shore.<ref>Milton, Giles (2008). Paradise Lost: Smyrna 1922: The Destruction of Islam's City of Tolerance (Paperback ed.). London: Sceptre; Hodder & Stoughton Ltd. ISBN 978-0-340-96234-3.</ref>Following the collapse of the Greek attempt to expand into Turkish territory, Venizelos, now back in power, reached a negotiated settlement with Ataturk for a compulsary exchange of populations, the result of which being that more than 1.3 million refugees from Turkey poured into Greece, creating enormous challenges for the Greek economy and society. <ref> The unification of Greece, 1770-1923, by Douglas Dakin.</ref>

Greek politics, particularly between the two world wars, involved a struggle for power between monarchists and Venizelists. Greece was proclaimed a republic in 1924, but George II returned to the throne in 1935 and shortly afterwards cooperated with General Metaxas in a coup which overthrew the democratically elected government and introduced a right wing dictatorship. A plebiscite in 1946 upheld the monarchy, which was finally abolished by referendum on December 8, 1974.

=====World War II=====
Greece sided with the Allies in World War II after [[Mussolini]]'s demands for surrender were met with the famous "Oxi" (pronounced 'Okhi')(''NO!'') statement of Greek Prime Minister [[Ioannis Metaxas]]. Italy invaded in October of 1940, and were repulsed by Greek troops. When German troops moved in the Greek cause was hopeless, despite British military help. The Nazi timetable was slowed down during the Battle of Crete by fierce resistance, delaying the German invasion of the [[Soviet Union]] for over a month. Despite their efforts, the Nazi war machine was able to annex Greece. Following a brutal German occupation in which many Greeks died (including about 80% of Greece's Jewish community) German forces withdrew in October 1944, and the government-in-exile returned to Athens.

After the German withdrawal, the principal Greek resistance movement, which was controlled by the communists, the royalist resistance movement having cooperated with the Germans in many cases rather than allow the communist and leftist resistance to gain effective power, refused to disarm. A banned demonstration by resistance forces in Athens in December 1944 ended in battles with Greek Government and British forces.

=====Cold War=====
After liberation, Greece fell into [[Greek Civil War|civil war]] between [[communists]] and royalists. Lasting until 1949, the conflict resulted in a Royalist victory, preserving the Greek state, but at the cost of 40,000 lives. Britain provided some military aid but was too weakened by the war to continue. In 1947, the U.S. used the [[Truman Doctrine]] to send large-scale military and economic aid to Greece. In 1948 the [[Marshall Plan]] focused on the economic recovery and the rebuilding of Greece and all of Western Europe. The U.S. contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuilding Greece in terms of buildings, agriculture, and industry.

In August 1949, the Greek national army forced the remaining insurgents to surrender or flee to Greece's communist neighbors. The insurgency resulted in 100,000 killed, 700,000 displaced persons inside the country, and catastrophic economic disruption. This civil war left Greek society deeply divided between leftists and rightists.

Greece became a member of NATO in 1952. From 1952 to late 1963, Greece was governed by conservative parties--the Greek Rally of Marshal Alexandros Papagos and its successor, the National Radical Union (ERE) of the late Constantine Karamanlis. In 1963, the Center Union Party of George Papandreou was elected and governed until July 1965. It was followed by a succession of unstable coalition governments.<ref>Short History of Modern Greece, 1821-1956 by Edward Seymour Forster and Douglas Dakin (1977) </ref>
[[File:George Papadopoulos.PNG|thumb|right|George Papadopoulos.]]
On April 21, 1967, just before scheduled elections, a group of colonels led by Col. George Papadopoulos seized power in a coup d'etat. The junta, supported initially by the Greek monarch and by America, suppressed civil liberties, established special military courts, and dissolved political parties. Several thousand political opponents were imprisoned or exiled to remote Greek islands. In November 1973, following an uprising of students at the Athens Polytechnic University, Gen. Dimitrios Ioannides replaced Papadopoulos and tried to continue the dictatorship.

Gen. Ioannides' attempt in July 1974 to overthrow Archbishop Makarios, the President of Cyprus, brought Greece to the brink of war with Turkey, which invaded Cyprus and occupied part of the island. Senior Greek military officers then withdrew their support from the junta, which toppled. Leading citizens persuaded Karamanlis to return from exile in France to establish a government of national unity until elections could be held. Karamanlis' newly organized party, New Democracy (ND), won elections held in November 1974, and he became Prime Minister.

Following the 1974 referendum, the Parliament approved a new constitution and elected Constantine Tsatsos as president of the republic. In the parliamentary elections of 1977, New Democracy again won a majority of seats. In May 1980, the late Prime Minister Karamanlis was elected to succeed Tsatsos as president. George Rallis was then chosen party leader and succeeded Karamanlis as Prime Minister.

On January 1, 1981, Greece became the 10th member of the European Community (now the European Union). In parliamentary elections held on October 18, 1981, Greece elected its first socialist government, the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), led by Andreas Papandreou. In 1985, Supreme Court Justice Christos Sartzetakis was elected president by the Greek parliament. PASOK under Papandreou was re-elected in 1985.

=====Recent History=====
[[File:The Garden of the People in Corfu.JPG|thumb|left|330px|The Garden of the People in Corfu.]]
Greece had two rounds of parliamentary elections in 1989; both produced weak coalition governments with limited mandates. In the April 1990 election, ND won 150 seats and subsequently gained 2 others. After Prime Minister Mitsotakis fired Foreign Minister Andonis Samaras in 1992, the rift led to the collapse of the ND government and a victory in the September 1993 elections for Andreas Papandreou's PASOK.

On January 17, 1996, following a protracted illness, Prime Minister Papandreou resigned and was replaced by former Minister of Industry [[Constantine Simitis]]. In elections held in September 1996, Constantine Simitis was elected prime minister. In April 2000, Simitis and PASOK won again, gaining 158 seats to ND's 125. Parliamentary elections held March 7, 2004, gave ND a governing majority of 165 seats (against PASOK's 117). [[Konstantinos Karamanlis]], ND leader and the nephew of the former prime minister, became prime minister. [[Karolos Papoulias]] was elected President by Parliament in February 2005. The Karamanlis government was re-elected on September 16, 2007. The most recent election, on October 4, 2009, gave a majority to PASOK (160 seats) and the premiership to George Papandreou.

Greece's exemplary success in hosting a safe and secure [[2004 Summer Olympics]] in Athens has enhanced its international prestige. The 2004 Olympics and Paralympics left an impressive and expensive legacy of new roads, spectacular stadiums, and modern public transportation systems, which the PASOK government began in 1997 and the New Democracy government of Karamanlis completed in 2004.

==See also==
[[File:Greece Delphi Oracle.jpg|thumb|Delphi Oracle.]]
*[[Greco-Persian Wars]]
*[[Greek Philosophy]]
*[[Greek influence on Western Culture]]
*[[Parthenon]]

{{Clear}}

== References ==
<references/>

{{Template:Copyright Details (US Government)|source=[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3395.htm]}}

[[Category:European Countries]]
[[Category:NATO members]]
[[Category:EU Members]]
[[Category:Greece]]
[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]
[[Category:Balkans]]
[[Category:Ottoman Empire]]

Crete

2011-12-13T07:34:41Z

NicosB: corrected spelling

'''Crete''' is a [[Greece|Greek]] island in the [[Mediterranean Sea]]and, with an area of 8,336km2, is the largest island in that sea. The oldest evidence for human habitation dates back to the pre-Pottery era, around 6100 - 5700 B.C. and was discovered in Knossos, later the capital of the [Minoan civilization]]. United with Greece in December 1913, the current capital of Crete is [[Heraklion]] (also spelled Iraklion).

Part of the Eastern Roman, [[Byzantine]], Empire until 1204 and the Western Christian sack of Consatntinople, the island was allocated to the Genoese but sold to the Venetians for 1000 silver marks. The Venetians occupied the island and initially tried to impose Roman Catholicism on the Greek Orthodox inhabitants. This imposition, and the high taxes that the Venetiians brought with them, was resisted by the Cretans and the early Venetian rule was marked by a series of revolts against the conquerers. The later Venetian period was generally more stable.

In 1669, after a twenty three year struggle, the island finally fell into the hands of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Ottoman rule was marked by an almost continuous series of uprisings as the Cretans fought against their Muslim rulers. Notable events during these uprisings included the mass suicide of the Cretan rebels in the Monastery of Arkadi in 1866 and, later that year, the evacuation of Christian refugees from the south coast of the island by ships of the Royal Navy, French, Prussian and Russian Navies; evacuations carried out in breach of the Ottoman naval embargo in the island.

In 1897, with the total collapse of the Ottoman administration and amid scenes of violent ethnic cleansing as Christian Cretans sought revenge on Muslim Cretans for the latter’s support of the Ottoman regime and Cretan Muslims sought to maintain their favoured economic position, the island was occupied by forces from Italy, France, Britain and Russia. It then became a semi-autonomous state within the Ottoman Empire, its ruler being appointed by Greece but having to be approved by the Sublime Porte. The island finally achieved ‘enosis,’ union with Greece, following the end of the Second Balkan War in 1913.

The island was invaded by German forces in May 1941. Spearheaded by paratroops, ''Operation Merkuri'', though successful in gaining control of Crete, was a disaster for the German forces. In spite of the fact that the Greek Dictator Metaxas had disarmed the islanders because of their opposition to his right wing rule, the islanders rose up against the invaders with whatever weapons they had at hand and, aiding the Greek, New Zealand and British troops present, made the Germans pay dearly for every metre of ground they gained. Over 4,000 paratroopers were killed and the German 7th Airborne Division was virtually wiped out. The effect of the German setback was such that Hitler ordered that no German paratroop assaults were ever to be launched again. The islanders continued to resist the Germans until the very end of the occupation, paying a high price as towns and villages, such as Kandanos and Floria, were wiped out and their populations executed in reprisal for partisan attacks.

Cretans continued to display their thirst for freedom after the war, the island being one of the major sources of opposition to the right wing military regime of the ‘Colonels Junta’ who ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974.

The island is now a major tourist and agricultural centre.

Notable features of Crete include the [[Samaria Gorge]], the longest gorge in Europe, the [[Minoan]] remains at [[Knossos]] and the former [[leper]] colony at [[Spinalonga]].

In Greek mythology, Crete was the home of the Minotaur, a beast with the head of a bull on the body of a man. According to Cretan legend Zeus, the King of the Gods, was born on the island. However, the ancient Greeks believed that Zeus was born on Mount Olympus in northern Greece and this dispute gave rise to the ancient Greek saying "All Cretans are liars."
[[Category:Islands]]

Crete

2011-12-13T07:33:05Z

NicosB: corrected spelling

'''Crete''' is a [[Greece|Greek]] island in the [[Mediterranean Sea]]and, with an area of 8,336km2, is the largest island in that sea. The oldest evidence for human habitation dates back to the pre-Pottery era, around 6100 - 5700 B.C. and was discovered in Knossos, later the capital of the [Minoan civilization]]. United with Greece in December 1913, the current capital of Crete is [[Heraklion]] (also spelled Iraklion).

Part of the Eastern Roman, [[Byzantine]], Empire until 1204 and the Western Christian sack of Consatntinople, the island was allocated to the Genoese but sold to the Venetians for 1000 silver marks. The Venetians occupied the island and initially tried to impose Roman Catholicism on the Greek Orthodox inhabitants. This imposition, and the high taxes that the Venetiians brought with them, was resisted by the Cretans and the early Venetian rule was marked by a series of revolts against the conquerers. The later Venetian period was generally more stable.

In 1669, after a twenty three year struggle, the island finally fell into the hands of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Ottoman rule was marked by an almost continuous series of uprisings as the Cretans fought against their Muslim rulers. Notable events during these uprisings included the mass suicide of the Cretan rebels in the Monastery of Arkadi in 1866 and, later that year, the evacuation of Christian refugees from the south coast of the island by ships of the Royal Navy, French, Prussian and Russian Navies; evacuations carried out in breach of the Ottoman naval embargo in the island.

In 1897, with the total collapse of the Ottoman administration and amid scenes of violent ethnic cleansing as Christian Cretans sought revenge on Muslim Cretans for the latter’s support of the Ottoman regime and Cretan Muslims sought to maintain their favoured economic position, the island was occupied by forces from Italy, France, Britain and Russia. It then became a semi-autonomous state within the Ottoman Empire, its ruler being appointed by Greece but having to be approved by the Sublime Porte. The island finally achieved ‘enosis,’ union with Greece, following the end of the Second Balkan War in 1913.

The island was invaded by German forces in May 1941. Spearheaded by paratroops, ''Operation Merkuri'', though successful in gaining control of Crete, was a disaster for the German forces. In spite of the fact that the Greek Dictator Metaxas had disarmed the islanders because of their opposition to his right wing rule, the islanders rose up against the invaders with whatever weapons they had at hand and, aiding the Greek, New Zealand and British troops present, made the Germans pay dearly for every metre of ground they gained. Over 4,000 paratroopers were killed and the German 7th Airborne Division was virtually wiped out. The effect of the German setback was such that Hitler ordered that no German paratroop assaults were ever to be launched again. The islanders continued to resist the Germans until the very end of the occupation, paying a high price as towns and village such as Kandanos and Floria, were wiped out and their populations executed in reprisal for partisan attacks.

Cretans continued to display their thirst for freedom after the war, the island being one of the major sources of opposition to the right wing military regime of the ‘Colonels Junta’ who ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974.

The island is now a major tourist and agricultural centre.

Notable features of Crete include the [[Samaria Gorge]], the longest gorge in Europe, the [[Minoan]] remains at [[Knossos]] and the former [[leper]] colony at [[Spinalonga]].

In Greek mythology, Crete was the home of the Minotaur, a beast with the head of a bull on the body of a man. According to Cretan legend Zeus, the King of the Gods, was born on the island. However, the ancient Greeks believed that Zeus was born on Mount Olympus in northern Greece and this dispute gave rise to the ancient Greek saying "All Cretans are liars."
[[Category:Islands]]

Crete

2011-12-12T07:30:33Z

NicosB: add info re Zeus

'''Crete''' is a [[Greece|Greek]] island in the [[Mediterranean Sea]]and, with an area of 8,336km2, is the largest island in that sea. The oldest evidence for human habitation dates back to the pre-Pottery era, around 6100 - 5700 B.C. and was discovered in Knossos, later the capital of the [Minoan civilization]]. United with Greece in December 1913, the current capital of Crete is [[Heraklion]] (also spelled Iraklion).

Part of the Eastern Roman, [[Byzantine]], Empire until 1204 and the Western Christian sack of Consatntinople, the island was allocated to the Genoese but sold to the Venetians for 1000 silver marks. The Venetians occupied the island and initially tried to impose Roman Catholicism on the Greek Orthodox inhabitants. This imposition, and the high taxes that the Venetiians brought with them, was resisted by the Cretans and the early Venetian rule was marked by a series of revolts against the conquerers. The later Venetian period was generally more stable.

In 1669, after a twenty three year struggle, the island finally fell into the hands of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Ottoman rule was marked by an almost continuous series of uprisings as the Cretans fought against their Muslim rulers. Notable events during these uprisings included the mass suicide of the Cretan rebels in the Monastery of Arkadi in 1866 and, later that year, the evacuation of Christian refugees from the south coast of the island by ships of the Royal Navy, French, Prussian and Russian Navies; evacuations carried out in breach of the Ottoman naval embargo in the island.

In 1897, with the total collapse of the Ottoman administration and amid scenes of violent ethnic cleansing as Christian Cretans sought revenge on Muslim Cretans for the latter’s support of the Ottoman regime and Cretan Muslims sought to maintain their favoured economic position, the island was occupied by forces from Italy, France, Britain and Russia. It then became a semi-autonomous state within the Ottoman Empire, its ruler being appointed by Greece but having to be approved by the Sublime Porte. The island finally achieved ‘enosis,’ union with Greece, following the end of the Second Balkan War in 1913.

The island was invaded by German forces in May 1941. Spearheaded by paratroops, ''Operation Merkuri'', though successful in gaining control of Crete, was a disaster for the German forces. In spite of the fact that the Greek Dictator Metaxas had disarmed the islanders because of their opposition to his right wing rule, the islanders rose up against the invaders with whatever weapons they had at hand and, aiding the Greek, New Zealand and British troops present, made the Germans pay dearly for every metre of ground they gained. Over 4,000 paratroopers were killed and the German 7th Airborne Division was virtually wiped out. The effect of the German setback was such that Hitler ordered that no German paratroop assaults were ever to be launched again. The islanders continued to resist the Germans until the very end of the occupation, paying a high price as towns and village such as Kandanos and Floria, were wiped out and their populations executed in reprisal for partisan attacks.

Cretans continued to display their thirst for freedom after the war, the island being one of the major sources of opposition to the right wing military regime of the ‘Colonels Junta’ who ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974.

The island is now a major tourist and agricultural centre.

Notable features of Crete include the [[Samaria Gorge]],the longest gorge in Europe, the [[Minoan]] remains at [[Knossos]] and the former [[leper]] colony at [[Spinalonga]].

In Greek mythology, Crete was the home of the Minotaur, a beast with the head of a bull on the body of a man. According to Cretan legend Zeus, the King of the Gods, was born on the island. However, the ancient Greeks belived that Zeus was born on Mount Olympus in northern Greece and this dispute gave rise to the ancient Greek saying "All Cretans are liars."
[[Category:Islands]]

Crete

2011-12-12T07:26:51Z

NicosB: expand article

'''Crete''' is a [[Greece|Greek]] island in the [[Mediterranean Sea]]and, with an area of 8,336km2, is the largest island in that sea. The oldest evidence for human habitation dates back to the pre-Pottery era, around 6100 - 5700 B.C. and was discovered in Knossos, later the capital of the [Minoan civilization]]. United with Greece in December 1913, the current capital of Crete is [[Heraklion]] (also spelled Iraklion).

Part of the Eastern Roman, [[Byzantine]], Empire until 1204 and the Western Christian sack of Consatntinople, the island was allocated to the Genoese but sold to the Venetians for 1000 silver marks. The Venetians occupied the island and initially tried to impose Roman Catholicism on the Greek Orthodox inhabitants. This imposition, and the high taxes that the Venetiians brought with them, was resisted by the Cretans and the early Venetian rule was marked by a series of revolts against the conquerers. The later Venetian period was generally more stable.

In 1669, after a twenty three year struggle, the island finally fell into the hands of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Ottoman rule was marked by an almost continuous series of uprisings as the Cretans fought against their Muslim rulers. Notable events during these uprisings included the mass suicide of the Cretan rebels in the Monastery of Arkadi in 1866 and, later that year, the evacuation of Christian refugees from the south coast of the island by ships of the Royal Navy, French, Prussian and Russian Navies; evacuations carried out in breach of the Ottoman naval embargo in the island.

In 1897, with the total collapse of the Ottoman administration and amid scenes of violent ethnic cleansing as Christian Cretans sought revenge on Muslim Cretans for the latter’s support of the Ottoman regime and Cretan Muslims sought to maintain their favoured economic position, the island was occupied by forces from Italy, France, Britain and Russia. It then became a semi-autonomous state within the Ottoman Empire, its ruler being appointed by Greece but having to be approved by the Sublime Porte. The island finally achieved ‘enosis,’ union with Greece, following the end of the Second Balkan War in 1913.

The island was invaded by German forces in May 1941. Spearheaded by paratroops, ''Operation Merkuri'', though successful in gaining control of Crete, was a disaster for the German forces. In spite of the fact that the Greek Dictator Metaxas had disarmed the islanders because of their opposition to his right wing rule, the islanders rose up against the invaders with whatever weapons they had at hand and, aiding the Greek, New Zealand and British troops present, made the Germans pay dearly for every metre of ground they gained. Over 4,000 paratroopers were killed and the German 7th Airborne Division was virtually wiped out. The effect of the German setback was such that Hitler ordered that no German paratroop assaults were ever to be launched again. The islanders continued to resist the Germans until the very end of the occupation, paying a high price as towns and village such as Kandanos and Floria, were wiped out and their populations executed in reprisal for partisan attacks.

Cretans continued to display their thirst for freedom after the war, the island being one of the major sources of opposition to the right wing military regime of the ‘Colonels Junta’ who ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974.

The island is now a major tourist and agricultural centre.

Notable features of Crete include the [[Samaria Gorge]],the longest gorge in Europe, the [[Minoan]] remains at [[Knossos]] and the former [[leper]] colony at [[Spinalonga]].

In Greek mythology, Crete was the home of the Minotaur, a beast with the head of a bull on the body of a man.

[[Category:Islands]]

User talk:NicosB

2011-12-06T14:37:36Z

NicosB: Initial greetings

Greetings to all! Just signed up...it may take a day or two before I contribute since i want to have a look around to see where I might be of some use.
Nicos