Northern Europe

The United Kingdom and the Nordic countries

have seafaring histories that often led to conquest.

The region played a role in developing representative government and industry.

Northern Europe consists of the United Kingdom, Ireland AND the Nordic Countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden

Northern Europe

Early Conquerors

Romans conquer Britain’s Celts by A.D. 80 Later, Germanic invaders push Celts north and west Vikings (Group of seafaring warriors from Denmark,

Norway, and Sweden, also called Norsemen) invaded Britain, sailed to Iceland, Greenland, and North America

1066 – William the Conqueror of Normandy conquered England (the largest kingdom in Britain). Defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings. French speaking Normans altered the English language.

A History of Seafaring Conquerors

Britain – Largest Kingdom and Great Empire Denmark, Sweden, and Norway became

kingdoms in 900s – No Nordic country ever became a major empire

England controlled the British Isles – group of islands that include Great Britain, Ireland and over 6,000 smaller islands.

England becomes United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801

Dreams of Empire

Britain’s geographic advantage contributed to

its strength After 1066 Battle of Hastings, no outside

power ever successfully invaded Britain Became a global Empire and by end of 1800s,

had colonies in the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

“The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire”

Dreams of Empire

Representative Government

Parliament – representative lawmaking body whose members are elected or appointed

Britain has Monarchy and Parliament, but rulers slowly lose power King John II, cruel to his subjects, alienated the Church, and

raised taxes – in 1215 he was forced to sign the most celebrated document in English history, the Magna Carta – drawn up by English nobles – guaranteed certain basic political rights.

Magna Carta is considered one of the cornerstones of democratic government Underlying principle – all must obey the law, even the king!! Trial by jury No taxation without representation

Moving into the Modern Age

Iron ore and coal helped Britain to be the first

nation to industrialize Coal – fuel and iron - machinery In the 1800s, the industrial revolution spread

from Britain to other countries (Belgium, France, Germany, and US)

As Britain industrializes, colonies supply materials and buy goods

Of the Nordic countries, Sweden developed the most industry

Industrial Revolution

Great Britain played a major role in both world

wars, fighting as one of the victorious Allies. After WWII, British colonies gain independence

Moving into Modern Age

Protestant English rulers seize Catholic Irish

land and give it to Scottish and English Protestants

Leaves many Irish in poverty 1840s, potato crops failed and caused famine

– killed over a million and over a million Irish fled to other lands

The Irish Question

Irish seek independence, Britain splits country

in 1921 Republic of Ireland (Catholic) became

independent in 1921 Northern Ireland (Protestant) remained part

of United Kingdom, still is today Religious conflict in Northern Ireland leads to

anti-British violence

The Irish Question

Industry and Resources

Sweden and United Kingdom have strong vehicle, aerospace industries Produce paper products, food products, and

pharmaceuticals Sweden has timber, Iceland has fishing,

Norway has North Sea oil

Economics: Diversity and Change

High-Tech

Silicon Glen – section of Scotland between Glasgow and Edinburgh has many high-tech companies (which use silicon computer chips)

Produces 32% of Europe’s personal computers and 51% of Europe’s notebook computers

Economics: Diversity and Change

Union or Independence

All joined European Union except Norway Euro – common currency of Europe (people

have mixed feelings) As of 2000, Norway and Iceland were the only

two Nordic countries that were not members of the European Union

Economics: Diversity and Change

Language

Northern Europe – Germanic Language (When Germanic tribes migrated to the Scandinavian Peninsula and the British Isles, they pushed the previous inhabitants north and west).

Celtic languages – Welsh, Irish found on northern and western edges of British Isles

Religion Because of Reformation – Protestant is dominant

religion Ireland – only one to keep Catholicism as its main

faith

Languages and Religions

People live in cities and have high standard of

living Social Welfare

Finland, Norway, and Sweden give families a yearly allowance to help raise their children

Nordic government fund national health insurance programs

Britain has national health insurance program To pay for these programs, people pay high

taxes

Life in Northern Europe

Customs

British – afternoon tea Swedes – smorgasbord (hot and cold dished served

buffet style) Finns - sauna

Leisure Some winter Olympic sports developed in the Nordic

countries – cross-country skiing and ski jumping British – horseback riding, fox hunting, rugby, and

cricket

Life in Northern Europe