Western Europe• France and Germany are the dominant

countries

• Martin Luther published his 95 statements in 1517 criticizing the church practices.

• Reformation-a period when many Christians broke from the Catholic church and became Protestants.– France is Catholic, most others have a mix

Start of Nation-States

• Feudalism:– After Rome fell,

powerful lords owned most of the land.

– They gave some land to nobles in exchange for military service.

– Peasants worked the land in exchange for protection

– Overtime Kings gained power over the lords.

• Nationalism:– Belief that people should be

loyal to their nation– People wanted their own

countries (began with France)– Results in strong leaders like

Napoleon and wars between nation-states due to strong competition.

– Good example is Hitler who carried out the Holocaust to exterminate Jews.

– Germany was not united again until the Berlin wall fell in 1989.

Economy

• Western Europe rich in agriculture• 1800s it was one of the first regions to

industrialize because it was rich in coal and iron ore

• They are also strong in high-tech and service industries (ex. Switzerland and money)

• Area is popular with tourists• Main problem is in Germany where the West is

much wealthier than the East.

Music, Art and Modern Life

• Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven in Germany and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Austria

• Jan Vermeer and Rembrandt were Dutch artists and Monet was French.

• Living in smaller homes means they meet out in public.

• More vacation time than Americans

• Immigration and political tension are problems in Germany and Austria