Chapter 16 Central Western Europe

1
Chapter 16Central Western Europe

• France, Germany, BeNeLux

2
Frances History

• Original group Gaul
• 500 years in Roman Empire. Prospered
• Franks from Germany
• Charlemagne
• a. King of Franks
• b. Holy Roman Empire
• c. Ordered missionaries to spread
  Christianity

3
More French History

• 5. Hugh Capet
• a. Consolidated areas into todays
  boundaries
• b. Began a tradition of a strong monarchy
  until the French Revolution
• 6. French Revolution 1789-1794
• a. Napolean and his wars
• b. Violent and bloody
• Different types of government
• 8. Three times invaded by Germany

4
Even More History

• 9. Constitutional monarchies or absolute rule
• 10. World War I
• 11. Defeated early in World War IIa source of
  controversy and embarrassment.
• 12 Wars in Indochina and Algeria in an effort to
  retain its colonies
• 13. Fifth Republic established by Charles de
  Gaulle in 1958. New Constitution

5
Frances Economy

• 1. 35 hr. week, one month of vacation
• Extensive government ownership and participation
  Air France and Renault
• Among highest taxes in Europe50 of GDP
• Committed to the idea of social justice health
  care, education, welfare.
• 5. Reforms
• a. More privitization
• b. Exempt overtime from taxes (more work)

6
Frances Economy

• c. Strike lawsminimum service
• d. Allow businesses to stay open on
  Sunday.
• e. Reform of labor laws face strong
  opposition from unions.
• Largest union is communist affiliated
• 5th largest economy in the world
• Per capita GDP is 31,000
• 7. 2nd in agricultural exports to U.S.

7
France Misc.

• 1. Strong identity based on language and
  religion
• 90 Roman Catholic.
• Government spends money to promote both.
• Fear U.S. influence and English words
• 2. Assimilating immigrants, particularly Muslims
• 3. Election of Nicolas Sarkozy 2007
• -economic reform, less government
  influence.

8
(No Transcript)
9
German History

• 1. Germany consisted of several un-unified
  states until Otto Von Bismarck united them in
  1871.
• 2. Prussia became dominant.
• Also part of Holy Roman EmpireCharlamagne.
• 4. Home of Protestant Reformation
• 5. 1890-1914 an industrial and military power.
• 6. World War I 1914-1918
• a. Alliances formed in response to Germany

10
(No Transcript)
11
(No Transcript)
12
More German History

• b. Formed by Bismarck to prevent war
• emperor was militaristic.
• Allianceagreement between countries to
  
• support each other in time of war.
• c. Balance of powerprevent war by
• maintaining equal strength.
• Prevent one powerful country from
• dominating others.

13
German History

• d. Germany blamed for the war,
• treated harshly.
• e. Reparationsmoney for damages
• 7. World War II
• a. Caused by Hitler
• b. Hitler played on desperation and
• anger of German people

14
Yet Even More German History

• 8. After World War II
• a. Germany divided
• EastCommunist controlled by Soviet
• Union.
• Underdeveloped.
• Westdivided among Allies, given
• independence.
• Democratic and prosperous.
• b. Berlin divided into East and West
• c. Reunited in 1991 after collapse of
  Soviet Union. Berlin Wall demolished.

15
German Economy

• Fourth largest in the world, largest in
• Europe.
• 2. Heavy on exports
• 3. Ruhr Valley is major industrial area
  Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Bonn
• ½ of land is used for agriculture3 are farmers
• East Germany has improved, but taking longer than
  expected.

16
German Economy

• East Germans migrated to the west
• 80 billion spent to rebuild the east, source of
  irritation to the West
• 8. Extensive social services

17
German Culture

• 1. Democratic and Berlin is the capital.
• 2. 16 states Bavaria is the largest.
• 3. Religion most are Protestant, 1/3 Roman
  Catholic
• 4. Strict environmental laws and Green Parties

18
Germany Concluded

• Reforms of Angela Merkelraised retirement age to
  67 and tax reform
• Assimilating immigrants
• Hurt by 2008 downturn

19

• Benelux Countries
• Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg
• History
• 1. Conquered several times because theyre
  between larger countries.
• 2. Formed political and economic unionsbasis of
  European Union.

20

• Urban and Economic Environments
• 1. Brussels, Belgium. NATO and EU headquarters.
• Cosmopolitan Citymany foreign influences.
• 2. Belgiumdiamond cutting.
• 3. Dutch
• a. one of the best EU economies.
  Diversified but dependent on foreign oil.
• b. Cities Amsterdam (capital), Rotterdam,
  The Hague
• c. expensive social programs.

21

• Luxembourg
• 1. highest per capita GDP--44,000.
• 2. smallest EU member
• 3. international banking
• 4. constitutional monarchyactually like their
  king and queen.