1. Central Europe Preview Section 1: Germany
World Geography Today
5/29/2018
Central Europe
Preview
Section 1: Germany
Section 2: The Alpine Countries
Section 3: Poland and the Baltics
Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter 15

2. Section 1: Germany Read to Discover
What are some key events in the history of Germany?
What are some features of German culture?
What is Germany’s economy like?
What issues and challenges does Germany face today?

3. Section 1: Germany

4. Section 1: Germany Germany’s Road to Unification
Germanic tribes fight against the Roman Empire.
Holy Roman Empire and Hanseatic League control German lands.
Germany is divided after World War II.
Germany reunites after the fall of communism.
Charlemagne begins German unification.
Prussia unites northern and southern Germany.

8. Key Events in German History
Section 1: Germany
Key Events in German History
Charlemagne united German kingdoms in the 700s.
Kingdoms became part of Holy Roman Empire.
Hanseatic League united northern German towns in 1300s.
Prussia and Habsburg Empire influenced German states by 1700s.
Germany united in 1871.
Germany lost two world wars.
Germany divided into Communist East, democratic West.
West Germany became an economic power.
Germany united in 1990, after fall of communism.

9. Section 1: Germany Culture
German is dominant language, with regional dialects
Noted literature, art, and music
Protestant majority, large Catholic minority (mostly in south and west)
Foods—Pork, sausage, veal, cheese, pastries
Increasing concern for the environment

12. Section 1: Germany Economic Features
Powerful Economy—Fourth-largest GDP in the world
Investments—Major investors in Central Europe
Manufacturing—Machinery, automobiles, electronics, medical equipment, steel, high-tech equipment
Mining—Coal, iron ore; Ruhr Valley is a key industrial center
Agriculture—Efficient; grains, potatoes, sugar beets

13. Section 1: Germany Issues and Challenges
Population—Aging and immigration are changing society, causing tension; low birthrates, longer life expectancies; most immigrants Turkish or ethnic Germans from the former Soviet Union
Former East Germany—Economy and pollution are problems; unemployment high after close of inefficient factories; easterners resentful

14. Section 2: The Alpine Countries
Read to Discover
What are some important features of Austria’s history, culture, and economy?
What are the political, cultural, and economic features of Switzerland?

15. Section 2: The Alpine Countries
Austria
History
Part of Holy Roman Empire, then Austrian Empire, then Austro-Hungarian Empire
United with Germany in World War II
Independent since 1955
Culture
German language, Catholic religion
Vienna—Key city in Central Europe; famous for architecture and music

16. Section 2: The Alpine Countries
Austria (continued)
Economy
Various industries—Steel, machinery, chemicals
Forestry, hydropower, handicrafts (wood, glass, textile, ceramic), tourism, foreign trade

17. Section 2: The Alpine Countries
Switzerland
Swiss states began to ally in late 1200s
Independent of Habsburg rule in 1600s
Confederation of 26 cantons
Neutral—Not part of UN or EU, but site of various international organizations
Four major languages—German, French, Italian, Romansh

18. Section 2: The Alpine Countries
Switzerland (continued)
Roman Catholic and Protestant
High standard of living
International banking and insurance
Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, watches, farm goods, dairy products, tourism

19. Section 2: The Alpine Countries
Question
How do the histories, cultures, governments, and economies of Austria and Switzerland compare?

20. Section 2: The Alpine Countries
Austria
Switzerland
• Located in Alps, mountainous terrain
• Independent since 1600s
• Formerly an empire ruled by Habsburgs, who controlled much of Europe
• Confederation of 26 cantons
• Diverse economies, foreign operations, manufacturing, tourism
• Occupied by Germany during World War II, by Allies after war
• Politically neutral
• Has not joined EU or NATO
• Roman Catholicism common
• French, Italian, German, Romansh languages common
• Democratic republic
• German language and cultural influence
• Member of the EU
• Protestantism common

21. Section 3: Poland and the Baltics
Read to Discover
What is the history of Poland and the Baltic countries?
What are the urban environments and economy of Poland like today?
What influences have shaped culture in the Baltic countries?

22. Section 3: Poland and the Baltics
Question
What important events have occurred in the history of Poland and the Baltics?

23. Section 3: Poland and the Baltics
1700
1900
1950
1990
2000
1700s to 1800s Poland occupied by Russia, Prussia, and Austria; Baltics occupied by Russia.
1910s Poland and Baltics become independent after World War I.
1940s The Soviet Union occupies Poland and the Baltics.
1980s Poland breaks away from communism.
1991 Baltic countries become independent.

24. Section 3: Poland and the Baltics
Polish Cities and Economy
Warsaw—Capital and transport hub on Vistula River
Kraków—Beautiful medieval city
Gdańsk—Main seaport and shipbuilding city
Economic progress since end of communism; free-market economy; member of EU
Auto and glass factories; weak coal and steel industries
Farming in loess soils—Cereals, potatoes, sugar beets

25. Section 3: Poland and the Baltics
Baltic Influences
Middle Ages—Balts in Latvia and Lithuania; Finns in Estonia
Viking and German invaders influenced Baltic culture
Trade brought other foreign influences
Estonia—Finnish impact on language, Lutheran religion
Latvia—Ties to Sweden
Lithuania—Close to Polish culture and Catholic religion
Russian minorities maintain customs

26. Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary
Read to Discover
What are some similarities and differences in the histories of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary?
What are the Czech Republic and Slovakia like today?
How has the fall of communism affected Hungary?

27. Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary
World Geography Today
5/29/2018
Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary
Comparing Histories
Slavic peoples inhabited Czech Republic and Slovakia; non-Slavic Magyars occupied Hungary.
All three were part of Austro-Hungarian Empire.
After World War I, Czech Republic and Slovakia combined as Czechoslovakia.
Czech lands had minerals and industry; Slovakia was agricultural.
Soviets set up Communist control over both Czechoslovakia and Hungary.
Soviet control ended in the early 1990s, and the Czechs and Slovaks separated into two countries in 1993.
Chapter 15

28. Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary
Includes regions of Bohemia and Moravia
40 percent Roman Catholic; similar percentage non-religious
Prague—Largest city; rich heritage; modern American influence; on seven hills along the Vltava River
Minerals and industry—Coal, iron ore, uranium; steel and glass products
Farming of cereals and sugar beets
Economic progress slowed in late 1990s
Member of NATO and the EU

29. Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary
Poorer country
Difficult shift to capitalism; high unemployment
Member of the EU
Bratislava—Capital and largest city, on Danube River; center of trade, education, and culture
Strong folk culture, especially art and music

30. Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary
Question
How has Hungary’s government and economy changed since the fall of communism?

31. Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary
Hungary since the Fall of Communism
Many people are moving from Budapest to the suburbs.
Hungary is a member of NATO and the EU.
New industries, foreign investment, and tourists have been attracted to the country.
Improvements have been made in rural water and sewage services.
Most businesses are now privately owned.

32. Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
How did World Wars I and II shape the history of Germany?
What problems has eastern Germany faced since reunification?
Why have many American and Western European companies chosen Austria as a base for their European operations?
Why is loess important to Poland’s economy?
How does Hungary’s language differ from the languages of neighboring countries?