4.3 Political Power and Territoriality

Provide a current or historical geopolitical event related to their country

Provide an example of religious and economic conflict in your country.

Religious Conflict:

The English Reformation was a series of events that took place in the 16th century, during the reigns of King Henry VIII and his successors. Initially, it was driven by religious factors, particularly Henry VIII's desire to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. 

When the Pope refused to grant an annulment, Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and established the Church of England in the 1530s. 

This led to a profound religious schism in England, with some supporting the new Protestant Church of England and others adhering to Roman Catholicism.

Economic conflict:

The English Reformation also had economic implications. The destruction of the monasteries, carried out under King Henry VIII and continued under his son, Edward VI, involved the confiscation and redistribution of monastic lands and wealth. 

This economic aspect of the Reformation had significant consequences for the distribution of wealth and power in England. The seized lands were often transferred to the crown or sold to wealthy individuals, contributing to the rise of a new class of landowners.

Provide an example of neocolonialsm in your country if applicable.

Unfortunately I could not find a specific example of neocolonialism, however I found some examples that may apply

As of recent the Uk has been under fire for the Exploitative resource extraction, unequal trade agreements, and the influence of multinational corporations in shaping economic policies in some African nations may represent some aspects of neocolonialism. 

List and describe the choke points that affect your country.

Here are some choke points

• Dover Strait:

  • Location: The narrowest part of the English Channel between Dover in the UK and Calais in France.

  • Significance: The Dover Strait is one of the busiest and most important shipping lanes globally. It connects the North Sea with the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean, serving as a vital route for maritime trade between the UK, continental Europe, and the rest of the world.

• Strait of Gibraltar:

  • Location: The entry and exit point between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, separating southern Spain from northern Morocco.

  • Significance: The Strait of Gibraltar is a critical maritime choke point that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. It influences naval and shipping activities, including trade routes to and from the UK that pass through the Mediterranean.