Chapter 13: West-Central Europe

1. France Switzerland Belgium Netherlands Germany Austria Luxemburg Chapter 13: West-Central Europe

2. Section 1: Physical Geography *Read the first section and fill in the notes as you read. (pgs. 310-313) * When you are finished you can grab the homework sheet on West-Central Europe and start working on it. 

3. Section 1: Physical Geography

4. Physical Geography • Plains • Northern European Plain: broad costal plain that stretches from the Atlantic Coast into Eastern Europe • Best farmland in this region • Many people live in the plain • Largest cities are located here • Uplands • Rounded hills • Small plateaus • Valleys • Good for mining and industry • Mountains • Alps and the Pyrenees • Rivers • For centuries people and goods have traveled these rivers • Danbue • Rhine • Navigable River- A river that is deep and wide enough for ships to use. • Rivers and a system of channels link the regions interior to the seas. • Seas • North sea • English channel

5. Climate and Resources • Climate: • Marine West Coast Climate • Winters can be cold • Summers are mild • Rain and storms occur often • Resources: • Mineral resources: • France- coal and iron ore • Germany-coal • Netherlands-natural gas • Hydroelectric power from the rivers • Mild climate is a valuable natural resource • Mild temperatures, plentiful rains and rich soil give this region great farmland • Grapes/ grains/vegetables

6. Section 2: France and the Benelux Countries

7. History of France Early History • Early Celtic peoples settle in Gaul. • The Romans conquer Gaul and rule the region for hundreds of years. (AD 400’s) • The Franks conquer Gaul. The ruler Charlemagne builds a powerful empire. • Normans settle in northwestern France. In 1066 they conquer England and take the throne. • France and England fight the Hundred Years War (1337-1453)…..The French eventually drove out the English. Revolution and Empire In the 1500’s France begins to build a colonial empire. • In 1789 the people rise up in the French Revolution. • In 1799 Napoleon takes control. He soon conquers much of Europe. • European powers unit to defeat Napoleon in 1815.

8. History of France continued Modern History • German forces invade France during WWI and WWII. • Many French colonies declare independence in the 1950’s and 1960’s. • Today France is a Republic with a president and a democratic government.

10. Culture of France • Language and Religion • Most people throughout France speak French and are Catholic. • There are many immigrants that have settled in France and bring with them their own languages and religions. • Customs • Phrase that they live by “Joie de vivre” (zhwah duh veev-ruh) meaning enjoyment of life. • The French enjoy good food, company and conversation. • Festivals • Bastille Day July 14th – which celebrates when a mob in 1789 destroyed a bastille, Paris prison, symbolizing the French king’s rule….this began the French Revolution. • Food • French chefs and French cooking has worldwide reputations. • Café and cuisine come from France.

11. Culture of France Ideas • French Enlightenment: • Ideas about government that inspired the American revolution and the development of modern democracy. Art • Impressionism • Literature • “The Three Musketeers” • Architecture: • Cathedrals in the gothic style from the Middle Ages • Notre Dame Cathedral

12. France Today • Strong economy • Exports of goods • Perfume • Wine • Agriculture • Wheat • Grapes • Paris: • 75% of the population lives in Paris, the capital of France. • Paris is the center of business/finance/learning/culture • Famous museums/galleries/ Eiffel tower and Notre Dame cathedral Marseille: (Mar-say) • Mediterranean seaport on the Rhone river

13. The Benelux Countries • Belgium • Netherlands • Luxemburg • History: • Many nations and empires dominated the Benelux region. • Each country gained independence from foreign nations and empires: • 1648 Netherlands • 1830 Belgium • 1867 Luxemburg

14. The Benelux Countries The Netherlands • Low and flat land • Includes the region of Holland; people who live here are called the Dutch. • This area also includes Amsterdam. • Excellent harbors has made the Netherlands a center of International trade. Belgium • Highly urban country, 95% of people live in cities. • Language divides Belgium • South: Wallonia ( Walloons) speak French • North: Flanders, speak Flemish • Cultural differences have caused tensions • Capital is Brussels and is the head quarter for many international organizations. • Considered a highly cosmopolitan area, or an area characterized by many foreign influences . • Known for its cheeses, chocolate and lace.

15. The Benelux Countries Luxembourg • Forested, hilly country • Very small ( smaller then Rhode Island) • Very high standard of living • Roman Catholic • Speak either French or German • Much of it’s income comes from banking, steel or chemicals

16. Section 3: Germany and The Alpine Countries

17. Background Information on Germany • Summary • Since the Middle Ages, Germany and France have been the dominant countries in West-Central Europe. • Both are large and prosperous with hardworking people and good farmland. • The two countries have often been at war, but today they are partners in building a cooperative European Union. • After a history of division and two world wars, Germany is now a unified country. • German culture, known for its contributions to music, literature, and science, is growing more diverse. • Germany today has Europe’s largest economy, but eastern Germany faces challenges. • The Alpine Countries reflect German culture and have strong economies based on tourism and services.

18. Germany & the Alpine countries • Early History • Tribes from northern Europe settled in the area. • The Romans called this area Germania, after one of the tribes. • In 1871, Prussia the strongest state, united Germany.

19. War and Division • War and Division • Germany lost WWI. • The payments for war damages and a major depression hurt the economy. • Adolf Hitler became a leader with promises to restore Germany to its glory. • WWII began • At the end, Germany was divided between the Soviet Union in the East, and USA, Britain, and France in the West. • Even the capital of Berlin was divided with the Berlin Wall. The walls purpose was to prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin.

20. Reunited Germany • Reunited Germany • US helped West Germany rebuild quickly. • Soon it became an economic power. • East Germany had slower growth and limited freedoms for its citizens. • In the late 1980s, Communist governments began collapsing. • 1989, Germans began tearing down the Berlin Wall. • In 1990, East and West Germany reunited.

21. Culture • Culture • Most people speak German and are ethnic Germans. • Martin Luther, a German monk, helped start the Reformation in 1571 • Religious reform movement away from the traditional Roman Catholic faith. • Many Germans in north are Protestant. In the South, most are Catholic. In eastern Germany, fewer Germans have religious ties due Communist past. • Religious festivals are still popular (Christmas, Lent) but local festivals are enjoyed, too. (Oktoberfest – celebrates food and drink in Munich)

22. Culture • Culture • Famous contributions to arts and sciences: • Johann Sebastian Bach • Ludwig van Beethoven • Johann Wolfgang von Goethe • Contributions in chemistry, engineering, medicine and physics.

23. The Alpine Countries • Austria • Once the center of one of the most powerful empires in Europe. • The Habsburg family ruled the Netherlands, Spain and much of Germany, Italy and Eastern Europe. • Habsburg’s were on the losing side of WWI, after WWI Austria became a Republic. Today it is a modern, industrialized nation. • Vienna- capital and largest city • Was once the center of the Habsburg’s rule but now is the center of music and fine arts. • Prosperous economy • Banking • Tourism • Switzerland • Independent country since the 1600’s, today it is a Federal Republic. • Located in the Alps, helped the country to stay neutral for centuries. • Swiss speak many languages, main languages are French and German. • Very high standard of living • Famous for its banks, watches, chocolate and cheeses.