Western Europe Chapter 13, Section 2

Vocabulary Benelux Reformation Nationalism Holocaust Feudalism Berlin Wall

Human Perspective Emile Durkheim was a famous French sociologist who was considered disloyal during World War I…probably because he had a German last name and came from Lorraine, a part of France that had once belonged to Germany. It had switched between German and French control many times. Western Europe’s history has long been of the struggle between the Germans and the French

A History of Cultural Divisions French and German influences Roman control Charlemagne Reformation France and Germany are dominant in the region because they are large and have access to resources, ports and trade routes. The cultural divisions have historic roots. Rome conquered much of this part of Europe, but ran into German tribes that they could not defeat. I the late 700s, a Germanic king Charlemagne, brought most of the region under his control. (See Pippin.) Feel apart after his reign. In the 1500s, Martin Luther became the most well-known critic of the Catholic Church. He started the reformation phase of European history. Later, the 30 Years War would devastate the region. There is a curent line that divides the Protestant from Catholic areas.

The Rise of Nation-States Feudalism Nationalism French Revolution Almost constant warfare Industrial Revolution Colonialism Why do you think industrialism might cause a country to seek colonies? During the Middle Ages, the concept of the Nation-State an independent nation of people with a common culture) evolved in Europe. After Rome fell, feudalism gradually developed in Europe (A political system in which powerful lords owned most of the land an gave rights to land to their lesser nobles (knights, for example). Some lords consolidated their holdings into large “Kingdoms.” As these kingdoms evolved, people developed a pride in their shared land, culture and history. “Nationalism.” Over time, the people began to see themselves, rather than the Kings as the power in a nations. French Revolution deposed the kings, but substituted with an Emperor-Napoleon. The period between the 1600s and 1945 was a period of almost constant rivalry and warfare between French and German (German States, then Germany) interests. The Industrial Revolution came to the mainland in the 1800s and they began, like Britain, to seek colonies overseas to gain raw materials and markets.

Why would the Allies have wanted to divide Germany after the War? World War I World War II Holocaust Why would the Allies have wanted to divide Germany after the War? Fall of the Berlin Wall EU World War I started in 1914 and ended in 1918. Its flawed resolution resulted in a second war even more hideous than the first (WWII/Holocaust). From 1945-1989, Germany was split into two countries; from 1960 separated by the Berlin Wall. In the 1990s Germany was reunited; France and Germany are probably among the strongest of allies today.

Economics: Diversity and Luxury Strong agriculture Among the first to industrialize High-tech and service sectors Tourism Luxury goods Since the Middle Ages, Western Europe has had strong agriculture Dairy farming and livestock are important in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland France leads the region in agricultural exports Major crops are wheat, grapes and vegetables …and was the first region to industrialize Deposits of iron ore and coal In addition to the above, Western Europe also robust high-tech and service sectors Electronics: Netherlands and Germany France: TGV (high-speed train) and reliance on nuclear energy Switzerland: Banking Western Europe is popular with tourists Luxury goods: Luxury cars, High fashion, Swiss watches, gourmet foods Recent unification of Germany has led to problems integrating the economies of west and east (East only contributes 6% of total production)

Great Music and Art Brahms, Beethoven and Bach Painting traditions Classical music Germany: Brahms, Beethoven and Bach Austria: Mozart Painting Lowlands Jan Van Eyck perfected oil painting techniques Vermeer and Rembrandt painted with great realism France Impressionist Claude Monet and post-impressionists Paul Cezanne and Paul Gauguin

Modern Life High Standard of Living European cities Home life More vacation Immigration issues Occasional reappearance of Nazi/Fascist influences Western Europeans enjoy a high standard of living Western European cities generally have good public transportation and many cultural attractions Their homes are generally smaller than those in the US; they do more socializing in public places Europeans usually have more vacation days than we do. Many immigrants have come to these countries to work—similar to the same issues in the US Occasional reappearance of Nazi/fascist influences

4. In which of these men initiated great changes in European religious life? a. Charlemagne b. Martin Luther c. Napoleon d. Otto von Bismarck

5. After World War II, East Germany was allied with… a. England b 5. After World War II, East Germany was allied with… a. England b. the United States c. the Soviet Union d. Luxembourg

6. Which country has become well-known for its banking system. a 6. Which country has become well-known for its banking system? a. Switzerland b. France c. Germany d. the Netherlands