British Culture and Politics

Question: Who was the uncle of King Richard II?

Answer: Richard II became king when he was only 10 years old. Because he was so young, he relied on counselors to help him rule. One of his uncles, John of Gaunt, became particularly powerful.

Question: In what year was King John forced to sign the first Magna Carta?

Answer: King John of England signed the first Magna Carta in 1215. The document guaranteed the people of England certain civil rights.

Question: What scientist was British industrialist Josiah Wedgwood related to?

Answer: Josiah Wedgwood’s daughter Susannah was the mother of Charles Darwin.

Question: For what is Wedgwood china named?

Answer: Attractive and high-quality English ceramics, which include creamware, black basaltes, and jasperware, are made in factories established by Josiah Wedgwood in Staffordshire, England.

Question: Mercantile theory holds that colonies best serve their mother country by providing what?

Answer: According to mercantile theory, which was popular in Britain during the 18th century, colonies best served their mother country by providing raw materials.

Question: Which of these was not a British prime minister?

Answer: John Maynard Keynes was an important economist.