Western Europe
I) A History of Cultural Divisions
Define Benelux : a customs union comprising Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, begun January 1, 1948.
France and Germany are the dominant countries of Western Europe (largest, having best access to resources, ports, and trade routes).
A) Rome to Charlemagne
1) By 50 B.C., the Roman Empire had conquered Celtic tribes (now France) but never fully conquered Germanic tribes, resulting in the late 700s, a Germanic king, Charlemagne, conquered most of the region. After his death his empire fell apart, but Western Europe remained a region of small, competing kingdoms.B) The Reformation
1) The Reformation was a religious during the Renaissance when people questioned authority.
2) In 1517 Martin Luther published 95 statements (nailing them to the church's door) that criticized the church.
3) Christians broke away from the Catholic Church and started Protestant churches.
4) Catholics and Protestants fight religious wars that tore Europe apart.
5) Protestants live mainly in the north and Catholics in the south.
II) The Rise of Nation-States
Period between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance. Europeans gradually developed the nation-state, an independent nation of people with a common culture.
A) Nationalism
1) After Rome fell, feudalisms developed in Europe, it was a political system.
2) Nationalism is the belief that people should be loyal to their own nation, the people with whom they share land, culture, and history.
3) Over time, kings gained power over feudal lords, and nationalism evolved.
4) Nationalism often causes groups to want their own countries, so it contributed to the rise of modern nation-states.
5) France first nation-state.
6) 1789 French Revolution deposing of the king and the forming of a republic.
7) Napoleon Bonaparte, army officer, seized powered and became a self-proclaimed emperor. After trying to conquer all of Europe he was defeated.
8) 1600s to 1945 wars broke out between France and the German states.
9) Germany was unified as a nation in 1871.
10) Industrial growth in the 1800s.
2) Terms created by the Allied Powers helped cause World War II.
3) Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, tried to conquer Europe- failed to do so- Nazis also carried out the holocaust.
4) 1945 Allies defeat Germany
5) West Germany allied with non-Communist Europe and the United States. East Germany allied with the Communist Soviet Union.
6) Berlin was cut in two creating the Berlin Wall but in 1989 protests erupted and the Berlin Wall opened.
7) 1990 two Germanys reunited under a democratic government.
Since the Middle Ages, Western Europe has been rich in agriculture, and in the 1800s, it was one of the first regions to industrialize.7) Napoleon Bonaparte, army officer, seized powered and became a self-proclaimed emperor. After trying to conquer all of Europe he was defeated.
8) 1600s to 1945 wars broke out between France and the German states.
9) Germany was unified as a nation in 1871.
10) Industrial growth in the 1800s.
B) Modern Conflicts
1) Allied Powers (Including France) fought Central Powers (Germany, Austria- Hungary, and their allies); Allied Powers won.2) Terms created by the Allied Powers helped cause World War II.
3) Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, tried to conquer Europe- failed to do so- Nazis also carried out the holocaust.
4) 1945 Allies defeat Germany
5) West Germany allied with non-Communist Europe and the United States. East Germany allied with the Communist Soviet Union.
6) Berlin was cut in two creating the Berlin Wall but in 1989 protests erupted and the Berlin Wall opened.
7) 1990 two Germanys reunited under a democratic government.
III) Economics: Diversity and Luxury
A) Agriculture To High-Tech
1) Most of the agricultural income comes from dairy farming and livestock.
2) France is the largest producer of agricultural products in Western Europe.
3) Europe's top manufacturing nations: France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
4) High-tech and service industries are also important. Netherlands: electronics, Germany: electronics as well as scientific instruments, France: one of the world's fast train( TGV train a grande vitesse) and a space program.
5) France relies heavily on nuclear energy (80% of its electricity).
6) Switzerland specializes in the service industry of banking (refused to fight in wars, so people believe money is safer there).
B) Tourism and Luxury
1) Varied scenery, mild climate, and historic sites, Western Europe is popular with tourism.
2) Tourism is a major part in French, Swiss, and Austrian economics.
3) Western Europe exports luxury goods to the world.
4) German cars and Swiss watches are considered status symbols.
5) France is famous for high-fashion clothing and gourmet foods. Netherlands exports high-quality flower bulbs.
C) Economic Problems
1) Germany has had economy struggles.
2) When Germany unified West had a high standard of living unlike the East.
3) billions of dollars on infrastructure.
4) Yet, in 2005, the number of jobless workers remained twice as high in the East as in the West.
IV) Great Music and Art
Each Western Europe country has a distinct identity, shaped by language and religion. But the true region as a whole- a strong artistic legacy.
A) Music
1) Germany and Austria are famous for music: Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven, German. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a child genius from Austria.B) Painting
1) France & Netherlands: Jan Van Eyck
2) Dutch: Jan Vermeer & Rembrandt
3) French: Claude Monet & Paul Cezanne & Paul Gauguin pave way for modern art.
V. Modern Life
Western Europe has a strong economy many people enjoy a high living standard and can afford material.
A) City Life
1) Most Western European cities have good public transit, cultural attractions and crime rates are lower than the US.
2) Europeans live in smaller homes than Americans do so they socialize in public places.
3) Western Europe gets more paid vacation time than the US so they can leave the city and go hiking, biking, or skiing.
B) Recent Conflicts
1) Immigration has caused conflict
2) After German economy declined some of them blamed immigrants
3) Former Austrian leader made remarks defending the Nazis, immigrants feared racist political rebirth
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