The Western Europe Democracies
Great Britain Economy Government World Role Slows after 1979 First moved to welfare state, and then toward privatization Welfare state – a government keeps most features of a capitalist economy but takes greater responsibility for the social and economic needs of its people Margaret Thatcher – Prime Minister for 11 years reduced Social Welfare Programs and gave greater responsibility to the individual Labour Party won majority in 1997 and Tony Blair took over Lost popularity because he couldn’t solve health care, education and transportation problems World Role Empire shrinks and global leadership ends Leader in the UN Worked with US in war against Iraq and terrorism
France Economy Government World Role Built the fourth largest economy in the world Government Fourth Republic was ineffective Fifth Republic asserts French leadership in Europe Leader of the fifth republic was General Charles de Gaulle – a World War II hero World Role After long war with Algeria, peace was made in 1962 Early leader in European cooperation
West Germany Economy Government World Role Economy booms Welfare State expanded Chancellor – Konrad Adenauer World Role Worked closely with France and United State
East Germany Economy Government World Role Economy stagnates Communist leaders forced out World Role N/A
Reunited Germany Economy Government World Role Higher taxes in west to finance rebuilding of east Difficult transition to market economy in east Unemployment rises Government tried to control the cost of welfare programs and to balance the budget through tax reform Global economic slowdown lead to high unemployment Government Kohl becomes chancellor World Role Global economic power
Italy Economy Government World Role Prospers in the north, remains poor in the south Overall the economy gains though Government Unstable Corruption and scandal in major political parties World Role Became a leading industrial nation
Spain, Portugal, and Greece Economy Growing Government Democracy wins in the 1970s World Role Spain and Portugal enter NATO and the EU