Western Europe
I. A History of Cultural Divisions
France and Germany are the dominant countries of Western Europe because of their access to resources, ports, and trade routes.
A. Rome to Charlemagne
1. Roman Empire conquered Celtic tribes in France by 50 B.C.
2. French is a romanced language that evolves from Latin
3. In 700's Charlemagne, a Germanic king, conquered the region
4. Empire fell apart after his death
B. The Reformation
1. Was religious movement that questioned church authority during the Renaissance
2. Martin Luther published 95 statements criticizing church practices
3. Christians broke away from Catholic Church, started Protestant Churches
4. Hostility between the two churches led to wars, tearing Europe apart
5. France is mostly Catholic and Germany mostly Protestant
II. The Rise of Nation-States
Time between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance, known as Middle Ages, when Europeans developed nation-state, an independent nation with a common culture.
A. Nationalism
1. Feudalism developed in Europe where lords owned most of the land and gave it as a reward to nobles in exchange for military service.
2. Nationalism is the belief that people be loyal to their nation and often causes people to want their own countries, helped the rise of nation-states.
3. The French Revolution happened when people rebelled against French Kings for having absolute power and only benefiting themselves.
4. Napoleon seized power and attempted to conquer Europe.
5. Wars between nation-states broke out frequently between France and Austria.
6. Industrialism grew in the 1800's causing Europeans to colonize in other lands to get materials.
B. Modern Conflicts
1. Need for colonies in European nations caused World War I.
2. Harsh terms on Germany after the war helped cause World War II.
3. In World War II Hitler and the Nazis tried to conquer Europe and they murdered 2/3 of the Jews and other minorities in the Holocaust.
4. After the War Germany split into two nations. West Germany wasn't communist and East Germany allied with the Soviet Union and after much protest to communist ways they put up the Berlin Wall, cutting the city in two.
5. The Germanys united under one democratic government and the two nations; France and Germany lead towards making the European Union.
III. Economics: Diversity and Luxury
Western Europe has been rich in Agriculture since the Middle Ages. The economy stays strong because it has agriculture and manufacturing.
A. Agriculture to High-Tech
1. The dairy and livestock export comes largely from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
2. Western European countries are the leaders in industry because they are rich in coal and iron ore.
3. Electronics are a major product of the Netherlands.
4. Switzerland specializes in the banking industry because people believe money is safer there.
B. Tourism and Luxury
1. Western Europe is popular with tourists because of its mild climate, historic sites, and scenery.
2. Western Europe also exports luxury goods such as German cars, and Swiss watches, French clothing from high end designers, and high quality flower bulbs from the Netherlands.
IV. Great Music and Art
Each country in Western Europe has its own identity which is shaped by language and religion, but the whole region has a strong artistic legacy.
A. Music
1. Many great musicians come from Germany and Austria such as Sebastian Bach and Ludwig Van Beethoven.
2. Mozart was an Austrian composer.
B. Painting
1. Many great painters come from France and the Netherlands.
2. Jan Van Eyck painter from Flanders
3. Jan Vermeer and Rembrandt were Dutch painters who painted realistically
4. French painters Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, and Paul Gauguin paved way for modern art
V. Modern Life
Since Western Europe has a strong economy many people enjoy a high living standard and can afford material goods such as cars.
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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