1. C ENTRAL W ESTERN E UROPE France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland & the Benelux Countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands)

3. L ESSON O BJECTIVES Explain France’s history, economic characteristics, and culture. List and describe various historical landmarks and attractions throughout Paris. Describe characteristics of the Benelux countries. Explain the Protestant Reformation and WWI. Explain the who, what, when, why, and impacts of WWII. Explain the creation and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Formulate a conflict and demonstrate Switzerland’s policy of neutrality. Identify the countries of Western Europe.

6. History Formerly known as Gaul- Roman Empire Dominated by the Franks Charlemagne- Holy Roman Empire Monarchy Ended during the French Revolution Napoleon Bonaparte Government Type: Republic F RANCE

7. Economic Regions North- Southwest- Mediterranean- East-

8. F RENCH C ULTURE Strong sense of identity! Language Intellectual and artistic achievements René Descartes Jean-Paul Sartre Voltaire Claude Monet Pierre Auguste Renoir How do the French greet each other?

9. B ENELUX C OUNTRIES Called the Benelux Countries because of the first two letters of their names Also known as the Low Countries Belgium Formerly under the control of the Netherlands Capital- Brussels Famous for…

10. Netherlands The Netherlands are ‘lying low’ Land Reclamation- Polders 27% of land lies below sea-level Role of Rotterdam Holland

11. Luxembourg Smaller than the state of Rhode Island One of the highest standards of living in Europe Very, very wealthy! One of the founders of the European Union!

12. G ERMANY G ERMANY - D EUTSCHLAND History Protestant Reformation WWI WWII (see Episodic Summary) Berlin Wall East and West Germany Berlin- Capital Germany is Europe’s leading industrial nation

13. T HE A UTOBAHN Germany’s highway system 7,580 miles of highway No speed limit! (except for some vehicles) Recommended speed limit: 81 mph! C AR C OMPANIES BMW Volkswagen Mercedes Porsche

14. A USTRIA Austro-Hungarian Empire Following WWI, empire collapsed Capital: Vienna Location for the filming of Sound of Music Set just prior to WWII

15. S WITZERLAND Physical Characteristics Swiss Alps Tourism! Economic Characteristics Skilled Labor Products Development of New Medicines Swiss Bank Accounts Not a Member of the EU? Why?

16. S WISS N EUTRALITY 1515- Last war that the Swiss fought Why do the Swiss want to be neutral? History and Tradition International Situation Law of Neutrality Geneva War Convention Rules of War