Oceana Europe Interim

Jeffrey S. Witter

Europe Interim Project

NOTE: I could not upload my powerpoint with the images, so here is a link to download it:

http://rapidshare.com/files/355845146/Main_Sights_In_London_Pics.ppt.html

3 Main Sights of London

Trafalgar Square/Nelson's Column

During the course of the 18^th century, Britain truly became an imperial power. Although it lost the War of Independence, Britain still had a great many colonies. In order to guard these colonies and to provide a way to get to the colonies, Britain built up a huge navy during the latter half of the 18^th century. However, the strength of this navy was put to the test in 1805. France and Spain allied their fleets together off the coast of Cape Trafalgar, Spain to do battle with the English Navy. Although heavily outnumbered, the English Navy overwhelmed the Spanish and French forces and won a major battle of the Napoleonic Wars. The defeat of the French and Spanish was mainly due to the leadership of Horatio Nelson, a British Admiral who used unconventional battle techniques to defeat the French and Spanish. Although he was killed by a sniper during the battle, Nelson became arguably the most famous ever British Admiral. In the 1840s, Nelson's Column was erected in the middle of Trafalgar Square, which had recently been redesigned by architect John Nash. The Column is 185 feet tall, and at the top has an 18 foot tall statue of Nelson. Until recently, Trafalgar Square was known for its wild pigeons, but a few years ago feeding pigeons was outlawed, and the London Government used hawks and other questionable methods to rid the area of the pigeons.

Number 10 Downing Street

Number 10, Downing Street is the British Equivalent of the White House. The Prime Minister and his family have lived at Number 10 since the Early 18^th Century. It is near the Ministry of Defence and other important governmental buildings. Typically foreign heads of state visit here for a photo with the Prime Minister (Currently Gordon Brown.) Important meetings In almost all pictures of Number 10, you can see British Policeman (or bobbies as they are called) standing guard outside of Number 10. Although Number 10 was damaged by bombs during the German Blitz During World War II, it did not take any direct hits, and consequently was not destroyed. In 1991 it was Damaged when the Irish Republican Army fired a mortar at it from a van.

Houses of Parliament/Palace of Westminster

The House of Parliament is where the British Parliament meets to make laws and modify old ones. It's American equivalent is Capitol Hill, where the American Congress meets. The first meeting of the British Parliament was in 1265, and gradually as the political system in Britain changed from a monarchy to a republic, parliament gained more power. The original building in which parliament met in was destroyed by fire in 1834. In 1870, a new Houses of Parliament was constructed, in what is called the “neo-gothic” style. There are 3 towers in the Houses of Parliament, Victoria Tower, Central Tower, and the Big Ben or Clock Tower, which overlooks the Thames River. Unlike in the United States, there is no separation of the three branches of government. The Prime Minister is also a member of Parliament, and so the Prime Minister is often seen talking about new laws. Sometimes the Queen comes to Parliament to give a speech, but the Queen does not take a political stance, so her speeches are usually non-partisan and mainly ceremonial.

Now Answer Me These Questions Three!

1)What happened to Admiral Nelson during the Battle of Trafalgar?

2) What is the name of the current Prime Minister living at Number 10 Downing Street?

3) How many towers are there in the Houses of Parliament?

Works Cited Page

Steves, Rick. London 2010. New York: Avalon Travel, August 2009.

“London.” World Book Encyclopedia. 2008 Edition.

Unknown Author

“Trafalgar Square-A Brief History”

Online: London.co.uk

Published 2009

Viewed 2/21/10