European Culture Francisci WG.4

Multiculturalism Because Europe is one of the world’s most densely populated regions, it is made up of many ethnic groups, languages, religions and customs. The earliest people of Europe came from Asia more than 30,000 years ago. Over 50 languages are spoken in Europe – Slavic, Germanic and Romantic. Most Europeans speak more than one language. The Francophone World consists of French speaking countries of the world. Religion: Mostly Catholic or Protestant.

The Spread of European Culture The birthplaces of western culture are both found in Europe – Athens, Greece and Rome, Italy. European culture has spread to other parts of the world as a result of: Exploration Colonization: a large-scale migration of any one or more groups of people to a colonial area (like the United States). Imperialism: a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force (ex. Africa). Ex. Spanish language and Roman Catholic religion in Latin America.

Great Renaissance After the Roman Empire fell in 500 A.D., Europe entered the Middle Ages. By 1500, the Great Renaissance started to take place – a period from 1300 to 1500 that focused on the rebirth of ancient Greek and Roman culture. Started in Italy. Johannes Guttenberg invented the printing press in 1440 with helped spread the ideas of the Renaissance throughout Europe. First book printed was the Bible

Industrial Revolution Europe is considered the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution: the transition to new manufacturing processes in the period from about 1760 to 1840. Changes that led to the Revolution: the invention of machines to do the work of hand tools the use of steam, and later of other kinds of power, in place of the muscles of humans the adoption of the factory system

Black Death Bubonic Plague: a sickness that caused the death of 75 to 200 million people in Europe during the 1300s. The plague originated in Central Asia and traveled along the Silk Road via rat fleas. It later spread to merchant ships and made its way around Europe.

Conflicts & Wars Northern Ireland: conflict between the Roman Catholics and Protestants. The former Yugoslavia: conflict between the Serbs, Croats, Bosnians and Albanians on the Balkan Peninsula. Switzerland is very peaceful despite of the multiple ethnic groups that live there. Different cultural groups share political power.

Cultural Landscape Castles: a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by nobility. Chalets: a type of building or house, with a heavy, gently sloping roof and wide, well-supported eaves (Switzerland).

Cultural Landscape Notre Dame (1345): A medieval Catholic cathedral in Paris, France Arc de Triomphe (1806): A famous monument in Paris, France

Cultural Landscape Louvre (1792): Large museum and historic landmark in Paris, France Contains the “Mona Lisa” Eiffel Tower (1887): An iron tower in Paris, France that is named after the famous engineer Gustave Eiffel

Cultural Landscape Colosseum (70 A.D.): The largest, oval amphitheater in the world located in Rome, Italy. Made of concrete and sand Leaning Tower of Pisa (1360): free standing bell tower in Pisa, Italy

Cultural Landscape Vatican City (1929): a city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy. Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and Pope Home of the Sistine Chapel St. Peter’s Basilica: Italian Renaissance church in Vatican City

Cultural Landscape Parthenon (447 B.C.): Former temple in Athens, Greece dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron Westminster Abbey (1090 A.D.): Gothic Church in London, England where coronation takes place for British monarchy

Cultural Landscape Big Ben (1859): Clock tower in London, England Windmills (1414): Holland, Netherlands First used as corn mills