1. History and Culture of Europe
The political and cultural differences in Europe today were affected by events dating back to the ancient
Roman Empire.

2. Division of the Roman Empire
The empire became too big to control from Rome, so, The emperor divided the empire into
a Greek
speaking
east and
Latin
west.

3. Division of the Christian church
This division would later lead to the split in Christianity with the Catholic (west) and Orthodox (east) Churches.
Catholic churches followed the leadership
of the Pope in Rome and used Latin as
the “official” language.
Orthodox churches established local
leadership and used local language

4. Fall of the Roman Empire
Because of political division, the western half of the Roman Empire became weak, and was invaded by “Germanic tribes” from just outside the Empire.
This led to
Rome being
conquered
by Vandal
tribes.
(“vandalize”)

5. European Languages (pg. 290)
This explains the division between the three major language families of Europe:
“Germanic” – German, Dutch,
English in northern Europe
“Romance”: Italian, French,
Portuguese, and Spanish in
western Europe
“Slavic” – Polish, Czech,
Ukranian, Slovak in eastern
Europe
Privet
Hello
Guten Tag
Witaj
Bonjour
Ciào
Hola

6. Middle Ages – a “Dark” time
For the next 1000 years, society in western Europe broke down into small, hostile, separate kingdoms.
Learning, science, and technology slowed down.
The one unifying
force remaining was
the Catholic church,
led by increasingly
politically strong
Popes.

7. The Crusades
From 1096 to 1291, Catholic Popes in Rome order a series of “Crusades” in an effort to retake the “Holy Land” (Jerusalem) from the Muslims, and to unite the warring kingdoms of Europe against a common enemy (Islam).
It didn’t work
It did lead
to increased
trade between
Italy and Asia.

8. Eastern Roman Empire
The Byzantine Empire, centered in Constantinople, focused on trade throughout the Balkan Peninsula.
Traveling traders, and mountainous terrain resulted in many ethnic groups developing close together.

9. Ottoman Empire
The eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) lost influence with the rise of Islam in Turkey and in 1299, the Ottoman Empire was established.
It spread through
eastern Europe
and lasted until
after World War I
(more later…)

10. Trade leads to Plague (pg. 294)
From 1347 to 1352, increased trade from Asia led to the spread of “Black Plague”
Fleas on “pack rats” in land-based cargo carried this disease to trade hubs, then it spread to humans.
Spread to/from trade ports
“Ring around the rosy (cheeks)
Pocket full of posies (smell)
Ashes, ashes, (dead burned)
We all fall down” (1/3 of
Eur. pop. died – 25 million)

11. Trade leads to “Rebirth”
Starting around 1350, the Renaissance began in Italian city-states like Venice, Genoa and Milan.
Rich families would pay (“patronize”) talented artists to create works of art to show off their wealth.
Started a period of study
in science and nature,
and a time of invention

12. European Religion
Inventions like the printing press (1455, Gutenberg) allowed for widespread learning and knowledge
This led to questioning of the Catholic Church’s authority
1517 – Martin Luther
protests Catholic church
practices (95 Theses)
This starts the
Protestant Reformation
in Germany
Protestant
Catholic
Orthodox
Muslim

13. Age of Exploration
New navigation technology (new sail design, compass from China, astrolabe) and expensive goods from Asia encourage ocean exploration
1490’s  1500’s - Spain and Portugal in C/S Amer.
1600’s  1700’s - England and France in N. Amer.
Not all countries were involved:
Germany – Atlantic access blocked by England
Italy – focused on Mediterranean trade

14. Age of Empires (W=P)
Desires to have more (resources, space, control) than other countries led to taking control of land
Spain – Central and South America, Philippines
England – North America, Caribbean, Australia, India, Hong Kong, Africa
France – North America, Vietnam, Africa
Not all countries had “productive” colonies, some were just empty land

15. Age of Revolution (Industrial) (W=Pt)
Industrial Revolution begins in 1780’s England
Coal + iron = steel
Steel + oil = machinery
Countries now realized that more
technology can also build wealth
Wealth = Physical resources technology
Increased manufacturing and weapons leads to nations taking more colonies

16. Age of Revolution (Political)
Kings abused their absolute power
This led to many independence movements in European colonies
United States breaks from England
1789 – France beheads Louis XVI, Napoleon gets power
1820’s – Central and South American colonies break away from Spain and Portugal

17. World War I ( )
Due to alliances throughout Europe, one localized event resulted in widespread declarations of war.
Austria blamed Serbia for the death of their prince...
Central Powers – Austria,
Ottoman Emp., Germany
Allies – Serbia, Russia,
France, England, Italy
Allies win

18. After the “War to end all wars”
As punishment for losing the war, all Central powers lost land (resources)….
Ottoman Empire and
Austria-Hungary broken
into separate, ethnically
“pure” countries,
except Yugoslavia

19. World War II ( )
Germans and Italians, unhappy with post-war govt., choose radical new leaders, Hitler and Mussolini
Hitler invaded Poland in 1939 to “reclaim lost land”
Allies did nothing at first
Allies – England, France,
United States, Russia
Axis Powers – Germany,
Italy, Austria, Hungary

20. End of /After World War II
After the war, Allies divide Germany into E/W Germany
“Berlin Wall” split capital
This began 50 years of
Communist control
over Eastern Europe
Led to heavy pollution
and poor development

21. Ethnic conflict in the Balkans (p. 322)
After the fall of Communism, Yugoslavia fractured into 6 mostly ethnically “pure” countries
Areas of multiple cultures experienced genocide
Worst cases were in
Bosnia /Herzegovina
and Kosovo
Region still
experiencing tension

22. TODAY Western Europe is one of the wealthiest areas on earth
Europe’s challenges vary
Western Europe is one of the wealthiest areas on earth
Progressive approach to environment
Ideas of nationalism seem to be giving way to pan-European identity and a region-wide currency
Europe must deal with immigrants and resulting political tension, and address political problems in other regions
Eastern Europe faces very different challenges
Political strife
Poor & bad environmental issues