  The United Kingdom and the Nordic countries have seafaring histories that often led to conquest.  The region played a role in developing representative government and industry.  Northern Europe consists of the United Kingdom, Ireland AND the Nordic Countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden Northern Europe

  Early Conquerors  Romans conquer Britain’s Celts by A.D. 80  Later, Germanic invaders push Celts north and west  Vikings (Group of seafaring warriors from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, also called Norsemen) invaded Britain, sailed to Iceland, Greenland, and North America  1066 – William the Conqueror of Normandy conquered England (the largest kingdom in Britain). Defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings. French speaking Normans altered the English language. A History of Seafaring Conquerors

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  Britain – Largest Kingdom and Great Empire  Denmark, Sweden, and Norway became kingdoms in 900s – No Nordic country ever became a major empire  England controlled the British Isles – group of islands that include Great Britain, Ireland and over 6,000 smaller islands.  England becomes United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801 Dreams of Empire

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  Britain’s geographic advantage contributed to its strength  After 1066 Battle of Hastings, no outside power ever successfully invaded Britain  Became a global Empire and by end of 1800s, had colonies in the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.  “The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire” Dreams of Empire

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  Representative Government  Parliament – representative lawmaking body whose members are elected or appointed  Britain has Monarchy and Parliament, but rulers slowly lose power  King John II, cruel to his subjects, alienated the Church, and raised taxes – in 1215 he was forced to sign the most celebrated document in English history, the Magna Carta – drawn up by English nobles – guaranteed certain basic political rights.  Magna Carta is considered one of the cornerstones of democratic government  Underlying principle – all must obey the law, even the king!!  Trial by jury  No taxation without representation Moving into the Modern Age

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  Iron ore and coal helped Britain to be the first nation to industrialize  Coal – fuel and iron - machinery  In the 1800s, the industrial revolution spread from Britain to other countries (Belgium, France, Germany, and US)  As Britain industrializes, colonies supply materials and buy goods  Of the Nordic countries, Sweden developed the most industry Industrial Revolution

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  Great Britain played a major role in both world wars, fighting as one of the victorious Allies.  After WWII, British colonies gain independence Moving into Modern Age

  Protestant English rulers seize Catholic Irish land and give it to Scottish and English Protestants  Leaves many Irish in poverty  1840s, potato crops failed and caused famine – killed over a million and over a million Irish fled to other lands The Irish Question

  Irish seek independence, Britain splits country in 1921  Republic of Ireland (Catholic) became independent in 1921  Northern Ireland (Protestant) remained part of United Kingdom, still is today  Religious conflict in Northern Ireland leads to anti- British violence The Irish Question

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  Industry and Resources  Sweden and United Kingdom have strong vehicle, aerospace industries  Produce paper products, food products, and pharmaceuticals  Sweden has timber, Iceland has fishing, Norway has North Sea oil Economics: Diversity and Change

  High-Tech  Silicon Glen – section of Scotland between Glasgow and Edinburgh has many high-tech companies (which use silicon computer chips)  Produces 32% of Europe’s personal computers and 51% of Europe’s notebook computers Economics: Diversity and Change

  Union or Independence  All joined European Union except Norway  Euro – common currency of Europe (people have mixed feelings)  As of 2000, Norway and Iceland were the only two Nordic countries that were not members of the European Union Economics: Diversity and Change

  Language  Northern Europe – Germanic Language (When Germanic tribes migrated to the Scandinavian Peninsula and the British Isles, they pushed the previous inhabitants north and west).  Celtic languages – Welsh, Irish found on northern and western edges of British Isles  Religion  Because of Reformation – Protestant is dominant religion  Ireland – only one to keep Catholicism as its main faith Languages and Religions

  People live in cities and have high standard of living  Social Welfare  Finland, Norway, and Sweden give families a yearly allowance to help raise their children  Nordic government fund national health insurance programs  Britain has national health insurance program  To pay for these programs, people pay high taxes Life in Northern Europe

  Customs  British – afternoon tea  Swedes – smorgasbord (hot and cold dished served buffet style)  Finns - sauna  Leisure  Some winter Olympic sports developed in the Nordic countries – cross-country skiing and ski jumping  British – horseback riding, fox hunting, rugby, and cricket Life in Northern Europe

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