Chapter 29 Modern Western Europe

Western Europe After World War II The Marshall Plan helped Europe to recover economically after World War II between 1947-1950. European government developed social welfare government such as affordable healthcare, housing, and family allowances

Western Europe After World War II Western Europe developed democracies even in post-war Portugal and Spain where there had been dictators.

France Charles DeGaulle dominated French politics as he tried to restore France after the war and he setup a parliamentary system of government, which was weak. De Gaulle withdrew from politics and the government he faced an independence crisis in Algeria and Indochina.

France De Gaulle stepped in again in 1958 and resumed in control of the government he assumed the role of Prime Minister and dissolved Parliament. France pulled out of NATO and wanted to become a world power by developed nuclear arms.

France The French economy improved in the 1950’s and 1960’s, but the country went into debt. DeGaulle resigned in 1969. Students protested and Socialists became dominant party by the early 1980’s and Mitterand was elected President and he tried to help the economy.

France However, the Socialists programs of freezing wages and nationalizing industries failed. By 1995, the Socialists lost support and a conservative Jacques Chirac was elected president.

West Germany to Germany West Germany developed a stable economy by working with former allies and its became a member of NATO West Germany tried former Nazis and made payments to Israel and Holocaust survivors.

West Germany to Germany In the 1970’s, East and West Germany began to have contact with each other through cultural exchanges. In the late 1970’s, the Democrats in Germany reduced welfare spending and helped paved the way to reunite with East Germany in 1980’s.

West Germany to Germany When Germany was reunited, taxes had to be raised to rebuild East Germany. The collapse of West German economy caused high unemployment and discontent.

West Germany to Germany In the early 1990’s, Germany had to change its immigration laws because there were attacks on foreigners Neo-Nazis.

The Decline of Great Britain England’s economy was left in shambles after World War II and Churchill’s Conservative Party was defeated by the Labour Party. The Labour Party created a new modern welfare state with the nationalization of coal and steel industries, public transportation, and public utilities.

The Decline of Great Britain The country had to dismantle its empire to pay for its welfare programs at home by reducing its military support to countries like Greece and Turkey. The British had a hard time competing with the United States and Soviet Union.

The Decline of Great Britain In Northern Ireland, violence continued between Catholics and Protestants. Margaret Thatcher became the first woman Prime Minister of England in 1979

The Decline of Great Britain She improved the economy by cutting back on government spending, lowering taxes, and cutting education spending. She lost popularity in 1990 and then succeeded by John Major who failed to do much and was replaced by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Western Europe NATO helped to foster military unity in Europe in post-war era. Various organizations were formed for economic purposed.

Western Europe European Union In 1992, the European Economic Community, which was originally founded in 1957 to integrate economies and monetary units of 25 nations. European Union

Western Europe The EEC eventually became the European Union and allows free trade between its members and standardization among its members’ economies. The monetary unit is the Euro and the Union has put ratifying its Constitution on hold.

Canada Canada and America had a close relationship but Canada supported the actions of the U.N. so they would not get embroiled in United States’ actions Canada created a welfare state

Canada 25 years after WWII Canada experienced economic prosperity based on new industrial economy Many businesses were American owned

Canada Debate continues over whether or not Quebec should be independent from Canada , due to language and cultural differences.

Latin America By the 1960’s, Latin America moved from exporting goods and raw materials to the world and start manufacturing goods for themselves Many countries faced internal strife and military despotism

Latin America By the 1970’s, most Latin American regimes were dependent on the United States and Europe because the borrowed money When in the 1980’s, many countries could not pay interest on loans, wages fell and unemployment skyrocketed

Latin America There was a move to democracy in the 1990’s but some states continued authoritarian rule Other trends included growth of urban areas, larger gap between the rich and the poor

Latin America Latin American became heavily involved in the drug trade The Catholic Church is still an influence on society

Cuba The United States tried to overthrow Castro using Cuban-exiles living in America with the Bay of Pigs Invasion but it failed Cubans gained in the areas of health care and education

Cuba Women were given equal status by law Castro tried to establish communist nations in Latin America Cuba’s economy has declined with the fall of the Soviet Union