A Brief Instruction on How to Take Notes in an Outline Format.

I. Main Topic A. Sub-Topic

1. Detail 2. Detail

a) supporting detail b) supporting detail

II. Main Topic A. Sub-Topic

1. Detail 2. Detail a) supporting detailIII. Main Topic A. Sub-Topic B. Sub-Topic 1. Detail a) supporting detail b) supporting detail

Example: (Theme = Clothing)I. Pants A. Styles 1. Short 2. Long a) Pleated b) Non-pleated c) cuffed vs. non-cuffedII. Shoes A. Types 1. Tennis 2. Dress 3. Sandals a) ThongIII. Shirts A. Styles 1. T-Shirts 2. Button-down 3. Polo a) cotton

b) polyester

Now that you have a basic understanding of how an outline works when taking notes, you will now copy the upcoming information in outline form.

Simply follow the prompts and, with my guidance, you should end this class-period with a perfect outline on “Modern Europe” that will help you score an “A” on this first AP Euro exam!!!

Let’s start ! ! !

You will want to title this set of notes, “Contemporary Europe”

“Contemporary” simply means “modern” or “now”.

“Europe has for centuries been the heart of the world”

What does this statement mean?

• 1. European empires spanned the globe and transformed societies far and near.

• 2. European capital (cities) were the focal points of trade networks that controlled distant resources.

• 3. Millions of Europeans migrated from their homelands to the New World as well as to newly settled part of the Old, creating new societies from North American and Australia.

• 4. In agriculture, industry, and in political organization, Europe went through revolutions and THEN exported those revolutions across much of the globe.

• 5. Western Europe’s recovery after WWII and Eastern Europe’s rejection of Communism have been the dominant events of the 20th century and into the 21st century.

Yet, Europe has known political and social turmoil.

(What does this statement mean?)1. Twice during the 20th c., Europe plunged the

world into war.2. During the 20th c., Europe’s weakened powers

lost the colonial possessions that for so long had provided them with wealth and influence.

3. The continent was divided from WWII until 1991 by an ideological “Iron Curtain”

4. The former Yugoslavia was ripped apart by war during the early 1990s.

5. Most recently, we saw ethnic cleansing in the Serbian province of Kosovo.

First, before studying this continent’s rich political, social, and cultural history, we will take a brief look at Europe today. Specifically, we will look at contemporary Europe’s:

• Political geography

• Physical geography

• General characteristics

I. Political GeographyA. The European Realm (Realm-Region-

Country)

1. Political divisions: There are approx. 50 countries in Europe – Russia is the largest.

B. Regions of Europe (there are 5)

1. Western Europe

2. Eastern Europe

3. The British Isles

4. Northern Europe

5. Southern Europe

1. Western Europe (8 countries)

Germany

France

Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg)

Alpine countries (Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein)

a. Major Features of W. Europe

1) Heart of the European Realm and hub of its economic power

2) Focus of Europe’s unifying drive

3) Major economic activities are industry and commerce

2. Eastern Europe (19 countries)

a) Former communist satellite states: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. (SHARP CB)

(What is a satellite state?)

b) The 7 former republics of the Soviet Union: Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine (RumBell) c) AND, the former Yugoslavia – now comprised of Serbia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia (SSMMCB)

a) Major Features of E. Europe (Note: Some scholars do not consider

Russia to be part of Europe. Others believe that the Ural Mountains are the dividing line between Europe and Asia).

1) Most complex, troublesome and transitory of all the regions

2) Because of political upheaval and war, this region is far behind the rest of Europe economically.

A Few Key Terms to Know

• “Balkanize” – to break-up (as a region) into smaller and often hostile units

• “Ethnic cleansing” – the forcible ouster of entire populations from their homelands by a stronger power bent on taking their territory.

3. The British Isles (2 countries)

• The United Kingdom (Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England) and

• Ireland

• Keep in mind: Great Britain refers ONLY to England, Scotland and Wales, whereas the UK refers to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

a. Major Features of the British Isles

• England is the largest political division and the center of power under which the rest of the region was originally brought under unified control.

• Main economic activity (except for Ireland) is industry and commerce.

Background Info

• England conquered Wales during the Middle Ages

• Scotland became part of the U.K. in 1707 under the Act of Union

• Ireland gained independence in 1921, but Britain retained control of Protestant Northern Ireland.

4. Northern Europe – 5 countries

• Finland

• Iceland

• Norway

• Denmark

• Sweden

(Think “FINDS”)

a. Major Features of N. Europe

• Limited industry because of a lack of natural resources

• Economic activities range from manufacturing in Sweden, agriculture in Denmark, to fishing in Norway and Iceland.

5. Southern (Mediterranean) Europe:

5 Countries• Greece• Italy• Malta• Portugal• Spain (Think: “GIMPS”)

a. Major Features of Southern Europe

• 1) Did not experience the same economic recovery as Western Europe after WWII

• 2) Generally, this region’s standard of living is above only Eastern Europe

II. Physical Geography

A. The European “realm” consists of the western extremity of the Eurasian landmass (peninsula).1. It is, in fact, a continent made up of peninsulas:

a. Iberian Peninsulab. Italian Peninsulac. Balkan Peninsulad. Scandinavian Peninsula

B. Major Mountain Ranges

1. Alpine System

a. Extends from the Pyrenees to the

Carpathian and Balkans Mountains

on the east

b. The Apennines (in Italy) are also

part of this mountain system

2. Ural Mountains: separates Europe

from Asia

C. Seas of Europe

1. North Sea

2. Mediterranean Sea

3. Adriatic Sea

4. Aegean Sea

5. Black Sea

6. Baltic Sea (Baltic countries? Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – or – ELL)

D. Europe has a variety of

different climates.

E. Europe is endowed with

many natural resources.

III. General CharacteristicsA. Europe is marked by strong internal

regional differences (cultural as well as physical)

B. European economies are dominated by manufacturing

C. Europe’s population is generally:1. well-off2. highly urbanized3. well-educated4. enjoys long life expectancies

5. NOT agricultural, in general