Transcript Central Europe

Do Now
• After WWII, Germany was divided into two
countries that reunited in 1990. Imagine that the
American Civil War had resulted in the creation of
two separate countries. Those two countries
were separated for 40 years before they were
reunited. What are some problems that the now
unified country might face after reunification?
• Write a paragraph and turn in!
Central Europe
Germany, Austria, Switzerland,
Poland, the Baltics
Germany
History and Culture
• Multiple groups have controlled Germany
since the 700s
– Charlemagne
– Prussia
– Habsburg Empire
Austro-Hungarian Empire
• Prussia led movement to create a single German
country
• Northern and Southern Germany united in 1871
The World Wars
• Germany’s power was growing and that
worried other European countries
• Formed military alliances to try to
maintain a balance of power
• World War I began because the balance
was off
– Britain, France, Russia, and later the U.S.
joined forces against Germany
– Germany allied with the Austro-Hungarian
Empire, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire
– After WWI ended, Germany had to accept
harsh peace terms which eventually led to
an economic downturn.
• The economic and political
problems helped to bring the
Nazi Party to power in 1933.
– Adolf Hitler was the Nazi leader
• Hitler rebuilt Germany’s
military and allied with Italy
and Japan creating the Axis
Powers
• 1939 Germany invaded
Poland which started World
War II.
• The Allies (Great Britain,
Soviet Union, and the U.S.)
defeated the Axis Power in
1945.
Division and Reunification
• After WWII, the Allied Powers divided Germany into four
zones (G.B, France, U.S. and USSR) eventually led to two
countries- East and West Germany
• USSR controlled East Germany and most of eastern Europe.
– Communist
• G.B., France, and U.S. controlled West Germany
– Democratic
• In 1990, with the collapse of communism, East and West
Germany reunited
• Today Germany has a
democratic system of
government
• Capital: Berlin
• Divided into 16 states or
Lander
• Language: German
• 1/3 are Roman Catholic and
many are Protestant
• Food: Pork, Sausage, Veal, and
Cheeses
Economy
• Great economy
• Prominent member of the European Union
• Very diverse: manufacture machinery,
automobiles, electronics, and medical
equipment
• Almost half the land is available for agriculture
• Germany must import all of its oil
Austria
• Located on the Alps
• Once apart of the Holy Roman Empire
• Replaced by the Austrian Empire and then shared
political power with the Hungarians
– Austro-Hungarian Empire
– Empire collapsed at the end of WWI.
• Germany took control of Austria before WWII (we
know how this ends)
– After war, Allies occupy Austria
– Becomes independent in 1955
• Size of South Carolina
• Language: German
• More than 75% are Roman
Catholic
• Capital: Vienna
• Famous artists from Austria:
Mozart and Beethoven
• Member of the EU
• Economy is based on Industry,
Forestry, Handicrafts, and
Tourism (ski resorts)
Switzerland
• Became independent from the Austrian Rule in the
1600s
• Today it is a confederation
– Made of 26 cantons or states
• Neutral nation (does not take sides internationally)
– Not a member of the EU
• Four major languages: German, French, Italian,
and Romansh with English closely becoming the
5th
• 46% are Roman Catholic and 40% are Protestant
• Very high standard of living
• Economy: banking, insurance, manufacturing,
dairy products, and tourism.
• They are known for making cheese, chocolate,
and watches.
Southern Europe
Iberian Peninsula & Italian Peninsula
Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece
Spain
• Various Mediterranean peoples have
controlled the region
• 1500s- Spain used its strong navy to build a
worldwide empire
– Once included all of Central and South America
and southwestern U.S.
• Civil War in 1936 occurred
– Francisco Franco ruled from
1939-1975 (dictator)
• Spain has spread its language and religion
around the world
– 400 million + speak Spanish
• Spain has a constitutional monarchy
• After Franco died the government gave the
country’s 17 regions different levels of
autonomy (self government)
• Nearly all speak Spanish in Spain
• The Plaza is a common
feature of Spanish towns
• Capital: Madrid
• Famous for bullfighting
• Economy: Manufacture a
variety of products, tourism,
and agriculture (leading
producer of olive oil and
wine)
Portugal
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Culture is similar to that of Spain
Language: Portuguese developed from Latin
Government: Democratic
Economy: member of the EU, world’s leading
cork producer
Italy
• It’s the Boot!!!
• Also includes Sicily and Sardinia
• Separated from rest of Europe by the
Alps
• Influenced the world through
architecture, literature, music, painting,
and sculpture
• The Romans set up a republic in central
Italy and built a huge empire that
stretched across most of Europe, North
Africa, and Southwest Asia
• Romans spread their culture:
language, laws, architecture,
and religion (Christianity)
• Rome is the headquarters of
the Roman Catholic Church
– Seat of the church is at Vatican
City, an independent country in
heart of Rome
• During the Middle Ages, cities in Italy grew rich
from trade
• After 1,000 years after the fall of the Roman
Empire, Italy was the home of the Renaissance
– Renewed interest in learning
– Important for the development of architecture,
painting, and sculpture
• Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael
• Italy became a united country in 1861
• During WWI- fought with the Allies
• Then Benito Mussolini took control of Italy and
formed an alliance with Germany during WWII.
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Language: Italian
• Food: sauces, pastas,
sausages, and pastries
and lets not forget pizza
• Capital: Rome- largest
city, political and cultural
center
• Home of the Colosseumstage battles between
soldiers, slaves, and wild
animals
Greece
• Made up of many peninsulas,
islands, and rugged mountains
• Largest Greek island is Crete
• Highest peak is Mount Olympus
• Greece was the site of Europe’s
earliest and most advanced
civilizations
• Lived in a number of city-statesself governing city and its
surrounding area
• Made great contributions to the
arts, government, philosophy,
science, and sports
• Over time, Greece fell under
the control of outside invaders
• Persians, Romans, and Turks
• Became an independent
country in 1829
• 98% of population is Greek
Orthodox Christian
• Capital: Athens- 30% of
population lives here
– Home of the Parthenon
• Member of the European
Union