Chapter 16 Central Western Europe SECTION 1: France

INTRO French call their country “The Hexagon.” 6 sided, water borders three sides. Mountains form forbidding barriers on two other sides. Northeast = Low Hills and flat, wide plains provide easy passage into neighboring countries. Strong national identity.

Regions and Economic Activities Historic cultural and economic regions exist within France. Varied Market Economy Rich farming areas. Huge, urban manufacturing and commercial centers.

Northern France Paris Basin – part of the Northern European Plain. Drained by the Seine River. In the center of the Paris Basin, on the banks of the Seine, lies Paris. Paris is the economic, political and cultural capital of France. Paris and its surrounding form the center of commercial industry. Raw materials shipped here are turned into finished products.

Northern France The city of Lille, north of Paris is another important industrial center. Since 1800s, the availability of coal for fuel has been a major pull factor for steel mills, textile factories and chemical plants in and around Lille.

Vineyards of the Southwest Southern parts of France have warm air and dry soil Grapes used to make French wine thrive in these conditions. Bordeaux = City with reputation for best wines.

Life in Southern France East of Bordeaux lie two mountainous areas. Massif Central Alps These two rugged regions are divided by the Rhone River.

Life in Southern France Continued… The Massif Central lies to the west of the Rhone and forms 1/6 of France’s land area. Landscape of Massif is a mixture of older peaks worn flat by time and newer sharper peaks that are not yet eroded.

Life in Southern France Cont… Massif Central = poor soil but various crops still grow. East of the Rhone lie the Alps, a rugged barrier of towering, snowcapped mountains. Mont Blanc, the tallest peak in the Alps, rises 15,771 ft. above sea level.

Life in Southern France Cont… For centuries, the Alps hindered movement between France and Italy. In 1787, Horace de Saussure, a naturalist and physicist climbed to the top of Mt. Blanc and wrote “Someday, a carriage road will be built under Mont Blanc.”

Life in Southern France Cont… Alps are known worldwide for their fashionable ski resorts and challenging skiing. During the summer, a magnificent array of alpine wildflowers covers the mountain slopes. Hikers come from around the world to enjoy the scenery.

Along the Mediterranean Nestled between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea in Southeastern France is a thin strip of low-lying coastal land. Area known as the Riviera, attracts millions of tourists each year. Warm climate is ideal for sunbathing on the region’s famous beaches and swimming in the sea.

Along the Mediterranean The French Riviera is also known as the Cote d’Azur (Azure Coast) … for its magnificent scenery formed by the sky, the sea, and the local flower, lavender. Many people visit Cannes, Nice and Saint-Tropez.

Continued… The city of Cannes is also famous for its annual international film festival. The port of Marseille is the busiest seaport in France and the second most active in all of Western Europe.

Continued… Petroleum is brought in Southwest Asia and North Africa and unloaded at Marseille. Wine, electronic goods, and chemicals, are shipped from Marseille to other countries (exports).

Industry in the East In the east of France lies the Rhine Valley. Here the Rhine River, Europe’s busiest waterway, forms part of France’s border with Germany. Lorraine has France’s largest deposits of iron ore. Nearby coal is mined.

Understanding the Past Referring to France’s great diversity, former French President Charles de Gaulle once said, “How can you govern a country that has 246 varieties of cheese?” Despite having diversity that would cause other countries to split up, France is a highly unified country.

Cooperation and Conflict France was known as Gaul when the Romans conquered it in the first century B.C. Area prospered under the Romans. Gauls were strongly influenced by Romans and adapted their Latin language and Christian religion. As Roman Empire declined, the Franks, who came from the area that is now Germany, conquered the region.

Continued… The Franks gave France its name. One of the most famous conquerors of all time, Charlemagne, became king of the Franks in A.D. 768. By his death in 814, he controlled a huge empire known as the Holy Roman Empire.

Continued… Charlemagne set up an efficient government in his realm (kingdom). Sent out missionaries to spread Christianity throughout northern Europe. Encouraged the arts and a revival of learning.

Continued… The Holy Roman Empire fell after Charlemagne’s death. By the 10th century, the power lay in the hands of the nobles who controlled land in the kingdom. Under Capet, the monarchy grew strong once again.

One Country, One Language Before the 1500s French was only spoken around Paris. Alsatian, German, Basque, and Breton are still spoken in various parts of France, as well as several dialects. New words cannot be published into French dictionaries without the approval of the French Academy.

Cultural Identity French take great pride in their intellectual and artistic achievements. Among their greatest heroes are: Rene Descartes Jean Paul Sartre Voltaire Impressionism Claude Monet Pierre Auguste Renoir

Continued… French also take a lead role in setting clothing styles. Famous French designers create clothes that influence fashion all over the world. Paris has been the cultural center of France. Today, the city’s art galleries and museums, including the famous Louvre, celebrate achievements of these artists.

France Today France is a wealthy nation. Struggled in 1990s and 2000s, due to economic recession. Unemployment remained high and workers and students waged frequent strikes against government reform. France’s opposition to military action against Iraq in 2003 disrupted its traditionally strong relationship with the United States.

Section 2: Germany On Thursday night, November 9th, 1989, thousands of East and West Berliners gathered along the Berlin Wall. Hours earlier the East German government had announced that the borders between East and West Germany would be opened.

Germany’s Struggle for Unity The 103 mile-long wall was built in 1961 by the Communist East German government to keep its citizens from escaping to West Germany. Germany’s history as a nation has been one of divisions and unifications.

Divided German States The area that is now Germany was once part of Charlemagne’s great Holy Roman Empire. After Charlemagne’s death, Germany broke up into many small, independent political units. During the 1500s, a movement called the Protestant Reformation divided the German states even further (Warfare). In the late 1700s, Prussia, led a movement to merge many German states into a single confederation.

Continued… After Germany defeated France in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, German states agreed to join the new German Empire.

United Germany’s Defeats In 1882 Germany joined with Austria-Hungary and Italy to form a military alliance known as the Triple Alliance.

Continued… Between 1914 and 1918, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and other countries fought against France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and other allies in World War I. According to the terms of the treaty following the war, a defeated Germany had to pay the victors reparations. As a result, Germany suffered economically.

Continued… The economy collapsed in the early 1920s when inflation ruined the value of Germany’s currency. In 1929, a worldwide economic depression left millions of Germans without jobs. In the early 1930s, Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party came to power in Germany. Hitler promised to restore Germany’s past glory and to improve the economy. He blamed the Jews and other people whom he considered to be racially inferior for all of Germany’s problems.

Continued… In 1939, WWII began with the German invasion of Poland. During the war, Hitler had millions of Jews, Poles, Gypsies, Slavs, and other people killed in concentration camps. In April 1945, Germany was defeated by the Allied countries (UK, France, US, and Soviet Union).

One People, Two Countries Following the war, tensions grew between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union concerning Germany’s future. In 1949, Western leaders established West Germany The Soviets set up the Communist German Democratic Republic (East Germany). For 40 years, Germany remained divided. In late 1989, a wave of demonstrations calling for democracy swept through Eastern Europe. On October 3rd, 1990, East and W. Germany were officially reunited.

Physical Characteristics NORTH – Flat MIDDLE- Hills, low peaks and tall plateaus SOUTH – Craggy Mountains (Alps)

Continued… Germany – Mild Climate, influenced by North Sea. Southern Area – humid climate, cold winters, warm summers.

Plains, Rivers and Cities Northern Germany – Part of North European Plain. Hundreds of miles of flat, sandy plains. Rivers flow north out of the southern highlands across the plains to the sea. Although much of the plains are farmed (agriculture), manufacturing and trade are also important economic activities.

Continued… Hamburg (located in W. Germany) – largest port, leading center of trade. Much of city was destroyed during WWII bombing runs.

Continued… Rostock – East Germans created their own harbor after WWII division, after losing access to West German ports. Berlin – Capital and largest city.

Natural Resources and Industry 2 Major Rivers flow through central Germany. Rhine Elbe One of the most important industrial centers in the world. Produces Iron, Steel, Chemicals and Textiles. Eastern central part: Steel, machinery, automobiles and textiles are produced in cities such as Leipzig and Dresden.

Continued… Power for the factories comes mostly from lignite, a soft, brown coal. Easily Mined. Heavy pollutant. Frankfurt – Germany’s banking center.

Scenic Southern Germany Southern Border – Bavarian Alps. Munich – Germany’s cultural center. Theatres Museums Paintings All damaged during WWII but restored.

Section 3: The Benelux Countries Crowded together in northwestern Europe are three small countries: BElgium NEtherlands LUXembourg

Intro Continued… Combined land area = Small Population = 26.4 million (Almost as much as Canada). Belgium and the Netherlands are the most densely populated countries in Europe.

The Netherlands “God made the world, but the Dutch made the Netherlands.” – Rene Descartes. Dutch have created 1/5th of their country’s land by reclaiming it from sea, lakes and swamps.

Environmental Change 2,000 years ago, people living in the area of the Netherlands, built mounds w/ stone walls to live + farm. Romans conquered area, they constructed dikes, or embankments of earth and rock.

Continued… Dutch became even more skillful at creating new land. Encircled a piece of land with dikes and pumped out water out into canals (Polder). Land used for farming, cities etc. 1/3 of country is below sea level.

Making Use of Land Population (16 million) Extremely high population density. More than half of the land is used for agriculture. Randstad or ring city is an arc shaped metropolis that include the cities of The Hague, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Utrecht. Government is trying to prevent this densely populated are from expanding into nearby rural areas.

Advantages of Location Rotterdam + Amsterdam are both important ports located along North Sea. Rotterdam serves as a link between much of Europe and the rest of the world.

Belgium 30% of all Belgians speak French and call themselves Walloons. 55% speak Flemish, a dialect of Dutch. After Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830, relations between the Walloons and the Flemings grew tense.

Luxembourg Smaller than Rhode Island. Independent. Languages spoken: French, German and Luxembourgish. Highest standard of living in Europe. Member of European Union and has diversified economic activities.

Section 4: Switzerland and Austria The Alps tower above Switzerland and Austria.

Intro Continued… Both countries are politically neutral. Neither is a member of NATO.

Switzerland 3 official languages: French 19% German 64% Italian Some people speak a dialect called Romansch. Each ethnic group has its own name for Switzerland. Germans = Schweiz French = Suisse Italians = Svizzera

Understanding the Past Switzerland was formed in 1291, when leaders of three cantons, or states, formed the Swiss Confederation to fight an Austrian Emperor. Loose organization of states united for a common good. Would later grow to 13 cantons (1513).

Continued… In 1515, France fought Switzerland in Italy and was defeated. The Swiss never fought in a foreign war again. In 1798, Napoleon’s armies occupied Switzerland. When his forces were defeated, European countries recognized Switzerland as a neutral country. Since then, Switzerland has not taken sides in conflicts between other countries, and no other European country has invaded its borders.

Cultures and Citizenship Today, 26 cantons make up Switzerland. They differ in language, religion, customs and ways in which people make a living. Cantons have a great deal of control over their own affairs. Any law passed by the government must be ratified by popular vote if enough Swiss citizens request. Gives more direct control to people.

A Prosperous Market Economy Switzerland thrives due to its strong national unity and neutrality. Swiss enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. Few natural resources but has developed economic activities that are highly profitable. Dairy Farms (Agriculture) Milk (Perishable Good, doesn’t stay fresh for long). Turned into chocolate and cheese for export.

Specializing for Global Trade Switzerland has no mineral resources. Specialize in making products that require skilled labor, instead of many materials or costly transportation. For hundreds of years, Swiss jewelers produce watches known throughout the world for their accuracy. They also produce high quality tools such as microscopes and measuring and cutting tools.

Continued… World leaders in discovery of new medicines. Banking is a important service industry, safe place to keep money because of the country’s neutrality. Tourism is also very important to Swiss economy.

Austria Austria’s present borders were created at the end of World War 1. However, this country of German speakers has roots that reach back more than one thousand years. 1800s joins Austro-Hungarian Empire, following WWI (1918) the empire collapsed (sided with Germans :/ ).

Continued… Austria and Hungary were separated into independent countries. Much of the land they controlled was take to form new European countries. Mountains cover much of Austria, population is concentrated in eastern low area, where terrain is mostly flat.

Continued…. Austria has used Switzerland as a model for its economic renewal. Cattle breeding and dairy farming are important agricultural activities. Created specialized industries. Machine tools Chemicals textiles

Continued… However, unlike Switzerland Austria has deposits of iron ore which are mined in the Eastern Alps. Strip mining – stripping the layer of the earth to lay bare the mineral deposits. Other mined resources include magnesite, aluminum, copper and lead.

Continued… Vienna, is the country’s capital and the political and cultural center of the Austrian Empire.