KidZone History: UK

Following World War Two, the UK stood on the brink of bankruptcy and could no longer maintain its empire or armed forces. Rationing continued past the end of the war as the country slowly built itself up. The crowning of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952 was a huge event that re-energised the country. Over the course of the next 50 years the UK experienced troubles with paramilitary activity in Ireland and in the Falklands against Argentina. It was prior to this conflict that the UK elected its first female prime minister: Margaret Thatcher.

Through the 1990s and 2000s the UK joined the USA in various overseas wars in the Gulf and in the Middle East. An economic depression beginning in 2008 affected many countries in the Western Hemisphere and led to a period of political disillusionment in the UK. This peaked in 2016 with the vote to leave the European Union and the ensuing resignation of various high ranking politicians. Today the United Kingdom is somewhat disjointed, with independence calls in Ireland and Scotland. Overall, the uncertainty surrounding independence from Europe has led to business and industrial concerns. Currently the country continues to be a world leader and business attraction in various sectors including education, finances and engineering.