A Century Plus of European History Timeline

Why are we studying history in Geography? “Is it to learn about the wars? That Stuff is cool!!!” NO, sorry… We are gathering background information so that we can better understand how the people of Europe live today.

The history of a region or place affects how people live there today. AGREE STRONGLY AGREE To understand today, we need an understanding of the past. The history of a region or place affects how people live there today. STRONGLY DISAGREE DISAGREE

What’s a timeline? What’s it for? can help organize information. put information in chronological (time) order. show us order of events. make a nice neat list of information. Mr. Sirica gets a wonderful teaching job in Glastonbury Mr. Sirica graduates from high school Mr. Sirica is born 1976 1981 1994 1998 2001 2015 WOW!!! Mr. Sirica is getting OLD!!! Mr. Sirica goes to kindergarten Mr. Sirica graduates from UConn

Let’s Create a Timeline I have scrambled the events we will put on the timeline. You will need to fill in the blanks using the specified pages from the textbook Next, cut out the events and put them to the right side of the blank timeline in the proper time sequences. Cut out the pictures and match them to the correct events. Put them on the left side of the timeline.

The Industrial Revolution- 1800s Until the late 1700s, nearly all goods were made by hand. The Industrial Revolution was a time period of inventions that began making goods by machine. The many of the first machines were invented in Great Britain during the height of the revolution in the 1800s. Machines worked much faster than people. Inventions in machinery, transportation, and communication improved factories and even farming. By the 1900s, machines were being used in everyday life.

Age of Imperialism – Late 1800s European governments became more aggressive in other areas of the world. European nations followed a policy of imperialism, or practice of taking control of foreign territories as colonies in order to form empires. Colonies provided raw materials to Europe to maintain their industries. Colonies also supplied Europe with new market for their goods. By the late 1800s, Europe had control over most of Africa, parts of Asia and South Pacific Islands.

Nationalism - 1900 At the start of the 1900s, people in Europe were filled with pride in their nation. This pride became known as nationalism. Nationalism can be good or bad, depending on people’s choices. Countries could harm others in order to get ahead or by preventing countries from working together. It can even cause hatred and lead to war. Between 1900 and 1950, nationalism caused World War I and World War II and led to the deaths of millions. World War I

World War I – 1914-1918 Afraid of invasion from their neighbors during the Age of Imperialism, many European nations made alliances with one another for protection. In 1914, war broke out between the two major alliances. I dragged most of the nations of Europe into the war. In 1917, even the U.S.A. became involved. By wars end in 1918, over 9 million soldiers and 13 million civilians were killed. Europe had lost an entire generation of young men.

Lenin & Communism - 1917 During World War I, Russia had suffered the loss of millions of soldiers. At home, people suffered severe food and fuel shortages. People protested against Tsar Nicolas II. Vladimir Lenin led a movement to take control of the government. His followers arrested and executed the royal family. Russia’s government was severely weakened. By November 1917, Lenin and his supporters pushed aside all remains of the old monarchy and took control of the government. Lenin established a communist government. The government took ownership over all farms, factories, and offices.

Russian Revolution & the Birth of the USSR – 1918-1924 After Lenin came to power, in 1918, a terrible civil war broke out killing millions. Eventually, Lenin and the communist regime won. In 1922, Lenin created the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, also called the Soviet Union. In 1924, Lenin died and Josef Stalin took over becoming a dictator that tried to control all aspects of life. Under both Lenin and Stalin, millions were imprisoned or killed as enemies of state.

World War II – 1939-1945 Nationalism still existed in Europe, and once again in 1939, war broke out. On one side were the Axis Powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan. On the other side were the Allies of Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, China, and in 1941 the U.S.A.. In all, more than 50 nations became involved all over the globe. In the end, the Allies won, but more people dies, more property was lost, and more money was spent on the war than any other war in history.

The Cold War – 1945-1990 After World War II, the Soviet Union and the U.S.A. emerged as the world’s superpowers. The two sides had very different political and economic points of view. Western Europe allied itself with the U.S., while Eastern Europe “allied” itself with the Soviet Union. The west rebuilt and prospered, while the east failed to recover and governments suspended people’s rights. Europe would remain divided until 1990. The Cold War began as the Soviet Union began to expand their influences beyond Eastern Europe. The U.S.A. was determined to stop Soviet influence from spreading around the world. Although the two superpowers never fought, they both supported and fought in conflicts in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The Cold War was also known for the massive buildup of nuclear weapons.

Collapse of the Soviet Union – 1985-1991 During the Cold War, the Soviet economy became weak. The government had invested in heavy industries and weapons. It did not balance their economy and invest in everyday needs like consumer goods, food, and clothing. Most people were living in poverty. In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev came to power. He lessened government control on the economy. By the late 1980s, Eastern Europe was transitioning away from Soviet control and communism. Soviet Republics were demanding their independence. By, 1991, it was official; the Soviet Union collapsed and split apart.

How have these events changed/impacted Europe today?