1. The Western Europe Democracies

2. Great Britain Economy Government World Role Slows after 1979
First moved to welfare state, and then toward privatization
Welfare state – a government keeps most features of a capitalist economy but takes greater responsibility for the social and economic needs of its people
Margaret Thatcher – Prime Minister for 11 years reduced Social Welfare Programs and gave greater responsibility to the individual
Labour Party won majority in 1997 and Tony Blair took over
Lost popularity because he couldn’t solve health care, education and transportation problems
World Role
Empire shrinks and global leadership ends
Leader in the UN
Worked with US in war against Iraq and terrorism

3. France Economy Government World Role
Built the fourth largest economy in the world
Government
Fourth Republic was ineffective
Fifth Republic asserts French leadership in Europe
Leader of the fifth republic was General Charles de Gaulle – a World War II hero
World Role
After long war with Algeria, peace was made in 1962
Early leader in European cooperation

4. West Germany Economy Government World Role Economy booms
Welfare State expanded
Chancellor – Konrad Adenauer
World Role
Worked closely with France and United State

5. East Germany Economy Government World Role Economy stagnates
Communist leaders forced out
World Role
N/A

6. Reunited Germany Economy Government World Role
Higher taxes in west to finance rebuilding of east
Difficult transition to market economy in east
Unemployment rises
Government tried to control the cost of welfare programs and to balance the budget through tax reform
Global economic slowdown lead to high unemployment
Government
Kohl becomes chancellor
World Role
Global economic power

7. Italy Economy Government World Role
Prospers in the north, remains poor in the south
Overall the economy gains though
Government
Unstable
Corruption and scandal in major political parties
World Role
Became a leading industrial nation

8. Spain, Portugal, and Greece
Economy
Growing
Government
Democracy wins in the 1970s
World Role
Spain and Portugal enter NATO and the EU