1. Cultural Characteristics of Europe

2. All European Languages came from the Indo-European Language Family

3. There are 3 main sub-groups that we will learn about today:
Germanic – examples are English, German, Dutch, and Swedish.
Italic (Romance Languages) – examples are French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.
Slavic – examples are Russian, Polish , and Serbo-Croatian.
German -
French –

4. Germanic Language Group
Derives from the languages of Germanic Tribes (around 750 BCE).
Most widely spoken languages are German and English.
Germanic languages are the native to Germany, England, Austria, Sweden, and Norway.

5. Italic Language Group (Romance Languages)
Derives from Latin, the official language of the Roman Empire (44 BCE – 476 CE)
French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese are the most common.
Romance Languages are native to Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, and Romania.

6. Slavic Language Group Derives from a common Slavic language (1500 BCE)
The largest language group in Europe is the Slavic group.
These languages are native to Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Bosnia, Serbian, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and other countries in Eastern Europe.

7. Communication…..
There are hundreds of languages spoken in Europe, which makes it difficult for people to trade.
The European Union narrowed it down to 23 Official Languages that people do business in.
Most European students learn one or two languages besides their native tongue.
Essential question : How does language shape culture?

8. Education
Literacy Rate – the percentage of a population over age 15 that can read and write.
Standard of Living – the quality of life of a person.
Throughout the world and in Europe, high literacy rates mean there is a high standard of living.
Essential Question: Why do you think that the above statement is true?

9. Religions of Europe

11. Three Religions, One God
Three of the world's major religions ---the monotheistic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam -- were all born in the Middle East and are all linked to one another.
Christianity was born from within the Jewish tradition, and Islam developed from both Christianity and Judaism.
Abraham is the grandfather of all three religions.
Monotheism – belief in only one god.

12. Judaism Judaism arose near the Mediterranean Sea around 1500 BCE
Abraham is considered the first prophet.
The most important figure in Judaism is Moses.

13. The Jewish set of rules is called the Ten Commandments.
Judaism Continued…
The Jewish set of rules is called the Ten Commandments.
The main Jewish Holy Book is called the Torah, or (Old Testament).
The Jewish word for God is Yahweh.
Places of worship are called Synagogues.

14. Christianity
Developed out of the Jewish religion in 33 CE in Jerusalem.
Is based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, whom Christians call Jesus Christ.
Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples, making him the Messiah promised in the Old Testament (the Jewish Torah).

15. Christianity continued…
In 391 CE Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, which included Europe.
European countries like England, France and Spain spread Christianity as they colonized the world.
Today, Christianity is the world’s biggest religion, with 2.2 billion followers.
The Bible is the Christian holy book, and places of worship are called churches.
There are many denominations of
Christianity, 2 of the main ones are
Catholics and Protestants.

16. Islam
Islam was founded in Mecca, Saudi Arabia around CE by the prophet Muhammad.
* Followers of Islam are known as Muslims.
* Muslims believe that Muhammad was told the final message of God by the angel Gabriel, which was written in a book called the Koran.

17. Islam Continued…
Muslims recognize prophets before Muhammad such as Jesus, Moses, and Abraham, but they consider Muhammad to be the final prophet.
Islam spread quickly in the 800’s CE into north Africa, Europe and central Asia.
Islam is the 2nd largest religion in the world, with over one billion followers.
There are two main denominations of Islam, and they are called Sunni and Shi’a.
Mecca is the most holy city,
and places of worship are
called Mosques.

18. Questions to answer from your reading:
1. What does it mean for a religion to be monotheistic? Is this religion monotheistic or polytheistic?
2. Where, when, and how did this religion begin?
3. Who are some of the important figures/prophets in this religion?
4. What is/are the holy city(s) in this religion? What are their places of worship called?
5. What do members of this religion believe?
6. What are the holy book(s) in this religion? *
7. What are the main holidays?