Western Europe
1. A History of Cultural Divisions
France and Germany are the two dominant countries of Western Europe. They are the two largest countries and have access to resources, ports, and trade routes helped them to build productive economies.
A. Rome to Charlemagne
1. The Roman Empire had conquered the Celtic tribes in 50 B.C.
2. French is one of the Romance Languages evolved from Latin
3. In the late 700s Charlemagne, a Germanic King, conquered most of the region
4. His empire fell apart after his death
B. The Reformation
1. A religious movement during the Renaissance when people questioned the church
2. In 1517 Martin Luther published 95 statements that criticized church practices
3. Christians broke away from the Catholic Church and started Protestant churches
4. Hostility between the two led to religious wars that tore Europe apart
5. France is primarily Catholic and Germany is primarily Protestant
2. The Rise of Nation-States
Period between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance, known as the Middle Ages. Europeans gradually developed the nation-state, an independent nation of people with a common culture.
A. Nationalism
1. After Rome fell feudalism developed in Europe. It was a political system in which powerful lords owned most of the land
2. Over time strong kings gained power over feudal lords and nationalism evolved. Nationalism is the belief that people should be loyal to their nation, the people with whom they share land, culture, and history
3. It led to modern nation-states
4. France was one of the first nation-states. 1st Kings held absolute power. In 1789 the people rebelled during the French Revolution. Later, Napoleon seized power and tried to conquer Europe.
5. From 1600-1945 wars frequently broke out among nation-states of Europe particularly France and Austria and France and German States.
6. Germany united in 1872
7. Industrialism in the 1800s caused European nations to set up colonies in other lands in order to gain raw materials.
B. Modern Conflicts
1. Competition for colonies led to World War 1
2. The harsh terms imposed on German after the war and the resentment felt due to those terms led to World War II
3. During World War II Germany was led by Hitler and Nazi Party
4. The Nazis carried out the Holocaust: a mass murder campaign that eliminated 2/3 of the European Jews
5. After the war Germany was split into two. West Germany was non-communist, and east Germany was controlled by Soviet Union
6. In 1989 the Berlin Wall fell and Germany and France became leaders in establishing European Union
3. Economics: Diversity and Luxury
Since the Middle Ages, Western Europe has been rich in agriculture. In the 1800s it was one of the first regions to industrialize. It remains a strong economy because of agriculture, manufacturing, plus high-tech service industries
A. Agriculture To High-Tech
1. Farming and livestock provide are important for Belgium, France, Netherlands, and Switzerland
2. France is the largest producer of agriculture in Western Europe
3. France, Germany, and the Netherlands are three of Europe's top manufacturing nations
4. Germany and the Netherlands are important producers of electronics
5. Germany also produces scientific equipment
6. France has one of the fastest passenger trains in the world, as well a space program and nuclear energy(80% of its energy is produced by Nuclear Power Plants)
7. Switzerland specializes in the banking industry.
B. Tourism and Luxury
1. Because of the mild climate, varied scenery, and historics sites Western Europe is popular with tourists. Tourism is a major part of French, Swiss, and Austrian economics
2. Western Europe also exports goods: German Cars, Swiss Watches, high fashion clothes from France and flower bulbs from the Netherlands
4. Great Music and Art
Western European country has a distinct identity, shaped in part by language and religion. It has a strong artistic legacy
A. Music
1. German and Austria are famous for music
2. Some German musicians/composers include Bach and Beethoven
3. Austrian composers include Mozart
B. Painting
1. France and the Netherlands have many important painters.
2. Jan Van Eyck from Flanders, and he perfected the techniques for using oil paints
3. Jan Vermeer and Rembrandt were Dutch artist who painted with great realism
4. Impressionist Claude Monet and postimpressionists Paul Cézanne and Paul Gauguin all paved the way for modern art
5. Modern Life
Because of Western Europe's strong economics they enjoy a high standard of living and most live in cities
A. City Life
1. Western European cities are interesting and pleasant places to live
2. They have good transportation systems and offer many cultural attractions
3. Europeans live in smaller houses than Americans
4. They receive more paid vacation, so they can go engage in outdoor activities
B. Recent Conflicts
1. In recent decades they have been facing immigration problems, many "guest workers" from Yugoslavia and Turkey went to West Germany for jobs
2. When the German economy declined, angry Germans committed discrimination and even violence against immigrants.
3. In response other Germans protested Racism
4. Austria also faced tension
5. Political leader Joerg Haider made controversial remarks that defended former Nazis and that immigrants found insulting.
6. In 2000 Haider had to resign as party head, but he still remained a force in Austrian public life.
No comments:
Post a Comment