The Cultural Geography of Europe

Unit 4 – Chapter 12

I. Section I

Population Patterns

A. Ethnic Diversity Ethnic Groups Europe is home to more than

160 separate ethnic groups Ethnic Tensions

The Balkan Peninsula has had lots of turmoil because of these tensions

Yugoslavia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo

Ethnic Cleansing – killing rival ethnic groups

As a result, many people become refugees – people who flee to a foreign country

Sources of Unity Europeans in recent years have

been striving towards more unity

B. Population Characteristics• Population Density

– Europe’s population density is greater than that of any other continent except Asia.

• Population Distribution– Compare maps on pg. 262 &

pg. 260• Why do people choose to live

where they do?

C. Urbanization

Urban Features About 75% of the population lives in the cities

What does this cause? Population Movements

During the 1800s & early 1900s, many Europeans migrated to the Americas and other areas

Since the mid-1900s, not many people have left Europe but many foreign people moved in (often to fill open jobs)

Later, when the economy slowed down, this caused tension

Europe’s overall population is shrinking Make sure you read pgs. 292-293

II. Section II

History & Government

A. The Rise of Europe Early Peoples

Fossils show that early people lived in Europe more than a million years ago!

Ancient Greece & Rome The 1st ancient civilization was the Greek

400s – 300s B.C. The 2nd was the Romans

27 B.C – A.D. 180 City-States were originally formed during this time

A Christian Europe In the late A.D. 300s, Christianity became the official

religion of the Roman Empire, and later one of the world’s major religions

The Middle Ages After the fall of Feudalism occurred during this

timeRome, Europe entered the Middle Ages (A.D. 500-1500)

B. Expansion of Europe

Crusades – a series of brutal religious wars – to win Palestine, the birthplace of Christianity, from Muslim rule

European Explorations In the 1400s, Europe

began exploring the rest of the world

Expansion of Europe (Cont.) Renaissance – during this

period, many Europeans developed a higher interest in the Arts The Reformation

movement occurred during this time

Lessened the power of the Roman Catholic church and led to the beginnings of Protestantism

C. Changing EuropeC. Changing Europe

Make sure you read this section (pg. 297-Make sure you read this section (pg. 297-300)!300)!

RevolutionsRevolutions– EnlightenmentEnlightenment – political & economic – political & economic

revolutionsrevolutions– Industrial CapitalismIndustrial Capitalism – an economic system – an economic system

in which business leaders used profits to in which business leaders used profits to expand their countriesexpand their countries

Under this system, new classes emergedUnder this system, new classes emerged– Social problems led to the birth of Social problems led to the birth of

communismcommunism – society based on economic – society based on economic equalityequality

C. (cont)C. (cont) Conflict & DivisionConflict & Division

– WWI – 1914-1918 – caused by WWI – 1914-1918 – caused by rivalries among European rivalries among European powers (for colonies and powers (for colonies and economic power)economic power)

ReparationsReparations – payment for – payment for damagesdamages

– WWII – 1939-1945 – because of WWII – 1939-1945 – because of unsolved problems from WWI unsolved problems from WWI and a worldwide depression, and a worldwide depression, Mussolini and Hitler gained Mussolini and Hitler gained control of Italy and Germanycontrol of Italy and Germany

They expanded their They expanded their countries’ control, which led countries’ control, which led to the warto the war– HolocaustHolocaust – major horror – major horror

of WWII – mass killing of of WWII – mass killing of over 6 million Jewsover 6 million Jews

WWII left Europe ruined and WWII left Europe ruined and divided – part was communist divided – part was communist (controlled by the Soviet (controlled by the Soviet Union) and part was Union) and part was democraticdemocratic– This division led to the This division led to the

Cold WarCold War

C. (cont – Holocaust) – Mass grave sites and mass killing of Jews

C. (cont – Holocaust) – Jewish children that were used for experiments

C. (cont)

The Cold War in Europe Cold War – a power struggle between the

communist world (led by Soviet Union) and the noncommunist world (led by U.S.)

A divided Germany became the “hot point” of the Cold War

A New Era for Europe From 1950s-1980s, revolts against communist

rule swept E. Europe The infamous Berlin Wall came down in 1990

and the two parts of Germany reunited 3 years later, Czechoslovakia split into two

separate countries 1990s – European Union (EU) was formed –

goal to unite countries – now contains 25 countries

1992 – Maastricht Treaty signed – common bank and currency

1999 – Euro – common currency launched

III. Section III

Cultures & Lifestyles

A. Expressions of Cultures

Languages About 50 different languages About 100 different dialects Language Family

Mostly Indo-European Slavic – Polish, Czech, etc. Baltic – Latvian, etc. Germanic – German, Dutch, English, etc. Romance Languages (comes from Latin) – Italian,

Spanish, Portuguese, French, Romanian Others – Greek, Albanian, Celtic

A. Expressions of Cultures(cont)

Religion Primarily Christianity

Mostly Roman Catholics

Pope is the head of this church

Where is he located?

Religion has caused many wars here

Northern Ireland – Catholics vs. Protestants

1998 - the Good Friday Peace Agreement

A. Expressions of Cultures (cont)

ArtsClose relationship between

religion and architectureRomanticism – arts focused on

emotionsRealism – arts depicting everyday

lifeImpressionism – experiences of

the natural world

B. Quality of Life

Differences Western Europe – more industrialized Eastern & Southern Europe – more struggles

Education Countries with more educated people = more

economic success State-Sponsored Human Services

Welfare States – offer complete social welfare to their citizens

Helps provide higher education, health care, and social security

C. Lifestyles Home Life

Extended families & family importance

Sports & Recreation Soccer is major sport Rugby Tennis Skiing Cycling

Celebrations Europeans celebrate many of the

same holidays as us but their holidays often include many traditions passed down through several generations