In the wake of that destructive war two goals emerged: to rebuild the nation's shattered economies and to prevent new conflict. Some people believed the best way to achieve both goals was to unify Europe.
Steps Toward Unity
The first step towards unification was an industrial alliance. France, Germany, Italy, and the Benelux countries signed a treaty that gave control of their coal and steel resources to the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).
The next step came in 1957 with the formation of the European Economic Community (EEC), also called the Common Market. This alliance removed trade barriers, set common economic goals, and allowed people to live and work in any member country. Trade quadrupled between 1958 and 1968 (EEC).
EEC merged with the ECSC and became EC (European Community). In 1993, the Maastricht Treaty took effect, and the EU replaced the EC. EU included 27 member nations.
Issues Facing the EU Today
In 50 years, the EU has increased from 6 nations to 27. In time it will extend to 30 countries that presently have almost 560 million people.
Growing Pains
Many of the Eastern European nations that joined the EU had a Communist past; less experience with democracy. Such differences may create friction among the EU members. Some Europeans fear rising tensions if Turkey joins the EU. Turkey is Muslim nation, while other countries are Christian. Turkey also has a record of human rights abuses and of conflict with Greece.
Economics and Politics
The Maastricht Treaty set the goal of replacing national currencies with a single currency. Some Europeans had reservations about the euro. They feared losing control of economic factors, such as the ability of each country to set its own interest rates. Denmark and the U.K chose not to adopt the euro.
In 2002, work began on a new constitution. The changes created fears that the EU would become "super-nation" and replace individual nations. Netherlands and France rejected the constitution. EU leaders wrote the Lisbon Treaty to replace the failed constitution. The Lisbon Treaty contained many changes proposed for the constitution.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Main Ideas pg. 316
1. What legacy did ancient Athens leave for modern governments?
The ability to become a democracy or independent.
2. What effect did the empires of Spain and Portugal have on the rest of the world?
Both Spain and Portugal established colonies in the Americas and elsewhere. Their empires spread Catholicism and the Spanish and Portuguese languages throughout the world.
3. Why does Spain have a conflict with the Basque people?
Spain has had an ongoing conflict with the Basque people. Spain granted the Basque region self-rule, but some Basques want complete independence and have used violence to fight for it.
4. How did the Reformation create new cultural divisions?
In the Reformation period many Christians broke away from the Catholic Church and started Protestant churches. Mutual hostility led Catholics and Protestants to fight religious wars that tore Europe apart.
5. How did nationalism lead to conflicts?
Nationalism often causes groups to want their own countries, so it contributed to the rise of modern nation states.
6. For what artistic legacy are Germany and Austria famous?
Germany and Austria are famous for their artistic legacy of music.
7. Who were the Vikings, and what did they do?
Vikings were Norsemen that sailed long ships to coastal towns and conducted hit-and-run raids.
8. What geographic advantages helped Great Britain build its empires?
Great Britain's status as an island helped protect it. The British people had much experience as sailors. This helped them to build a strong navy and to develop overseas trade.
9. Why did independent nation-states develop later in Eastern Europe than in Western Europe?
Eastern Europeans needed to overcome old hatreds and work together. They also needed to accept democratic ideas such as the rule of law-which means that government officials must obey the law.
10. What problems existed in the Eastern European economy under Communist rule?
Government officials didn't have to follow the law. Noble men had more rights than a non-noblemen.
The ability to become a democracy or independent.
2. What effect did the empires of Spain and Portugal have on the rest of the world?
Both Spain and Portugal established colonies in the Americas and elsewhere. Their empires spread Catholicism and the Spanish and Portuguese languages throughout the world.
3. Why does Spain have a conflict with the Basque people?
Spain has had an ongoing conflict with the Basque people. Spain granted the Basque region self-rule, but some Basques want complete independence and have used violence to fight for it.
4. How did the Reformation create new cultural divisions?
In the Reformation period many Christians broke away from the Catholic Church and started Protestant churches. Mutual hostility led Catholics and Protestants to fight religious wars that tore Europe apart.
5. How did nationalism lead to conflicts?
Nationalism often causes groups to want their own countries, so it contributed to the rise of modern nation states.
6. For what artistic legacy are Germany and Austria famous?
Germany and Austria are famous for their artistic legacy of music.
7. Who were the Vikings, and what did they do?
Vikings were Norsemen that sailed long ships to coastal towns and conducted hit-and-run raids.
8. What geographic advantages helped Great Britain build its empires?
Great Britain's status as an island helped protect it. The British people had much experience as sailors. This helped them to build a strong navy and to develop overseas trade.
9. Why did independent nation-states develop later in Eastern Europe than in Western Europe?
Eastern Europeans needed to overcome old hatreds and work together. They also needed to accept democratic ideas such as the rule of law-which means that government officials must obey the law.
10. What problems existed in the Eastern European economy under Communist rule?
Government officials didn't have to follow the law. Noble men had more rights than a non-noblemen.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Review Questions for Chapter 13 Section 3
Review Question - possible quiz questions
1) Where did the industrial Revolution begin and to where did it spread?
Began in the 1800s, spread from Britain to other countries, especially Belgium, France, Germany, and the US.
2) What are some characteristics of governments in Northern Europe?
Representative Government. Plarliament is a representative lawmaking body whose members are elected or appointed. Over the centuries, English rulers lost power to the English Parliament, so a more representative government evolved.
3) How did conquest influence the languages spoken in Northern Europe?
France speaks French, Germany speaks Germanic, and
4) How did the industrial Revolution spur the growth of the British Empire?
Deposits of ore and coal helped Britain to be the first nation to industrialize; the growth of industry motivated Britain's empire building.
5) How did the Reformation affect Northern Europe?
The Reformation, which began in nearby Germany in the late 1500s, swept through Northern Europe; people speaking different languages in different places.
6) Who are some important writers from Northern Europe?
Henrik Isben is the king of modern drama.
7) What Northern European country did not join the EU? Why?
Norway, because they were very popular; getting a lot of tourism and exports and inports, they felt if they joined the EU it would hurt their economy.
8) What was the Magna Carta? Why is it important?
A treaty that was forced signed from the king stating that noble men get more rights and hold absolute power. It's important because it sparked the start of human rights.
9) What are the countries of Northern Europe?
Iceland, Denamrk, Norway, Sewden, Finland, Estonia, Lativa, Lithuania, U.K., and Ireland.
1) Where did the industrial Revolution begin and to where did it spread?
Began in the 1800s, spread from Britain to other countries, especially Belgium, France, Germany, and the US.
2) What are some characteristics of governments in Northern Europe?
Representative Government. Plarliament is a representative lawmaking body whose members are elected or appointed. Over the centuries, English rulers lost power to the English Parliament, so a more representative government evolved.
3) How did conquest influence the languages spoken in Northern Europe?
France speaks French, Germany speaks Germanic, and
4) How did the industrial Revolution spur the growth of the British Empire?
Deposits of ore and coal helped Britain to be the first nation to industrialize; the growth of industry motivated Britain's empire building.
5) How did the Reformation affect Northern Europe?
The Reformation, which began in nearby Germany in the late 1500s, swept through Northern Europe; people speaking different languages in different places.
6) Who are some important writers from Northern Europe?
Henrik Isben is the king of modern drama.
7) What Northern European country did not join the EU? Why?
Norway, because they were very popular; getting a lot of tourism and exports and inports, they felt if they joined the EU it would hurt their economy.
8) What was the Magna Carta? Why is it important?
A treaty that was forced signed from the king stating that noble men get more rights and hold absolute power. It's important because it sparked the start of human rights.
9) What are the countries of Northern Europe?
Iceland, Denamrk, Norway, Sewden, Finland, Estonia, Lativa, Lithuania, U.K., and Ireland.
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