"Exploring Central Europe: History, Culture, and Economy of Germany, Alpine Countries, and Poland"

1. CHAPTER 15 Central Europe Section 1: Germany Section 2: The Alpine Countries Section 3: Poland and the Baltics Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary

2. Section 1 Germany Objectives: • 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 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 Hapsburg Empire influenced German states by 1700s. • 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.

4. Section 1 Germany Cultural features: • noted literature and music • Protestant majority, large Catholic minority • foods—pork, sausage, veal, cheese, pastries

5. Section 1 Germany Economic features: • powerful economy—fourth-largest in the world • major investors in Central Europe • manufacturing—machinery, automobiles, electronics, medical equipment • mining—coal, iron ore; Ruhr Valley a key industrial center • agriculture—efficient; grains, potatoes, sugar beets

6. Section 1 Germany Issues and challenges: • population—aging and immigration are changing society, causing tension • former East Germany—economy and pollution are problems; easterners resentful

7. Section 2 The Alpine Countries Objectives: • What are some important features of Austria’s history, culture, and economy? • What are the political, cultural, and economic features of Switzerland?

8. 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

9. Section 2 The Alpine Countries Austria (continued) • Economy • various industries—machinery, chemicals • forestry, hydropower, tourism, foreign trade

10. Section 2 The Alpine Countries Switzerland • confederation of 26 cantons • neutral—not part of UN or EU, but site of various international organizations • four major languages—German, French, Italian, Romansch • Roman Catholic and Protestant • high standard of living • international banking and insurance • chemicals, pharmaceuticals, watches, farm goods, tourism

11. Section 3 Poland and the Baltics Objectives: • 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?

12. Section 3 Poland and the Baltics History of Poland: • under Russian, Austrian, and German control in 1700s and 1800s • gained independence after World War I • Communist control after World War II, for more than 40 years

13. Section 3 Poland and the Baltics History of the Baltics: • independence from Russia after World War I • occupied by Soviet Union during World War II • regained independence in 1991

14. Section 3 Poland and the Baltics Polish cities and economy: • Warsaw—capital and transport hub • Kraków—beautiful medieval city • Gdansk—main seaport and shipbuilding city • economic progress since end of communism • auto and glass factories; weak coal and steel industries • farming in loess soils—cereals, potatoes, sugar beets • unemployment a problem

15. 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.

16. Section 4The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Objectives: • 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?

17. Section 4The 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.

18. Section 4The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Czech Republic: • 40 percent Roman Catholic; similar percentage non-religious • Prague—largest city; rich heritage; modern American influence • minerals and industry—coal, iron ore, uranium; steel and glass products • farming of cereals and sugar beets • economic progress slowed in late 1990s

19. Section 4The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Slovakia: • poorer country • difficult shift to capitalism; high unemployment • Bratislava—capital and largest city, on Danube River

20. Section 4The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary Hungary and the end of communism: • difficult change to market economy • most business privately owned • growing economy today—new industry, foreign investment, tourism • NATO member; seeking EU membership