The British Commonwealth of Nations

For centuries British sailors and merchants travelled all over the world, discovered new lands and claimed them for England. Large territories in North America, Africa, the whole continent of Australia, New Zealand, India and a lot of islands in the ocean got under British rule. Thus, gradually, in the course of centuries, the huge British Empire came into being. After World War II, with the growth of national liberation movement in the world, the countries which were dependent of Great Britain and formed parts of the British Empire, began claiming independence. As a result of this movement, the British Empire fell apart. However, centuries-long economic, cultural and political ties of these former colonies and dominions with Great Britain were too strong for them to completely break away from each other, and it was found advisable to maintain the old ties. A new organization was established: the British Commonwealth of Nations, including about 50 independent states which were formerly parts of the British Empire. The British Commonwealth of Nations encourages trade and friendly relations among its members. The Queen is the official head of the Commonwealth.

parliamentary monarchy [pa:lə΄mentəri΄mo:nəki] – парламентская монархия

the Prime Minister [΄praim΄ministə] – премьер-министр

Empire [əm΄paiə] -Империя

the Commonwealth [΄komənwelθ] - Содружество

hereditary [hi΄reditəri] -наследственный

the Established Church of England [is΄tæbli∫t ΄t∫ə:t∫ əv΄iŋglænd] – Господствующая церковь Англии

the House of Commons – Палата общин

the House of Lords – Палата Лордов

Magna Carta [΄mægnə΄ka:tə] – Магна Карта (Великая хартия вольностей)

Habeas Corpus Act [΄heibjəs΄ko:pəs΄ækt] – Хабеас Корпус (закон 1679 г. О неприкосновенности личности)

The Bill of Rights – Билль о правах

the legislative branch [΄ledзislətiv] – законодательная ветвь

the executive branch [ig΄zekjutiv] – исполнительная ветвь

the judicial branch [dзu΄di∫əl] – судебная ветвь

peers [piəz] -пэры

the Archbishop of Canterbury [a:t∫΄bi∫əp əv ΄kæntəbəri] – архиепископ Кентерберийский

the Lord Chancellor [΄t∫ænsələ] – лорд-канцлер

“front-benches” – переднее-скамеечники

“back-benches” – заднее-скамеечники

“royal assent” [ə΄sent] – королевское одобрение

the Cabinet -Кабинет

the Supreme Court [sju:΄pri:m΄ko:t] – Верховный суд

the Conservative Party [kən΄sə:vətiv΄pa:ti] – Консервативная партия

the Labor Party [΄leibə] – Лейбористская партия

“Tory”[΄to:ri] -Тори

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