Western and Northern Europe

SSWG6 d. Describe the various ethnic and religious groups in the

region and the effect of geography on those groups and their major

customs and traditions

France and Germany are the dominant countries of Western EuropeFrench culture is strong in France and MonacoGerman culture is strong in Germany, Austria and LiechtensteinThe Benelux countries have their own cultures but were influenced by Germany and France

Western Europe

Northern Europe consists of the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and IcelandThese countries have a history of sea power

ReformationDuring the Renaissance scholars questioned authority, even the Catholic Church1517-Martin Luther criticized the church and started the Reformation movement– Many people left the Catholic church for

Protestant churchesToday: France is mostly Catholic and Germany is mixed, Protestants in the north and Catholics in the south

The Rise of Nation-StatesDuring feudalism strong kings gained power over the lordsA belief of nationalism began– People should be loyal to their nationNationalism caused groups to want their own country, France was the first nation-stateThe nation-states of Western Europe became strong rivals, they fought many wars between 1600 and 1945

Industrial RevolutionGreat Britain became the first nation to industrialize because of its iron ore and coal depositsIn the 1800s the industrial revolution spread to western Europe and the US

Inventions:- steam engine- steamboat- steam locomotive- process for making

steel

Effects:- Rise of the factory system- Higher standard of living- Growth of capitalism- Changes in working

conditions- Urbanization

Modern ConflictRivalry and competition between the major powers caused WWI to break out– The Allies (France, Great Britain, US)– The Central Powers (Germany, Austria-

Hungary)The terms of WWI caused WWII– Hitler and the Nazi Party– The Holocaust

After WWII, Germany was split into 2 nations– West Germany was democratic– East Germany was communistThe capital of Berlin was divided by the Berlin Wall– 1989 the Berlin was torn down1990, the 2 Germanys reunited– Caused economic challenges, West

Germany had a high standard of living

Polders: Land from the SeaThe Netherlands needed more land for their growing population so they reclaimed land from the sea– At least 40% of the Netherlands was

once under the seaLand that is reclaimed by draining is called a polder

God created the world, but the Dutch created Holland