EUROPEGeography 102World Regional GeographyChapter 1.docx

EUROPE
Geography 102
World Regional Geography
Chapter 1
BasicsLingering world influenceNumerous nation-states plagued
by internal separatist movementsPhysiographyWestern
extremity of Eurasian landmassWide range of topographic,
climatic, and soil conditionsEconomic GeographyHigh degree
of differentiation and specializationInternational economic
integrationManufacturing dominant with high levels of
productivityPopulation GeographyWell-off, well-educated,
highly urbanized, but aging, populationDeclining population in
many countriesInternational immigration
Physical
LandscapesCentral Landscapes Hills and plateaus loaded with
raw materialsAlpine Mountains Western Uplands North
European LowlandAvenue for human migrationMost of
Europe’s leading cities are located hereMany major rivers and
connecting waterways

*Among the physical landscapes of Europe, the North European
Lowland is by far the most important. Among the things listed
above, most of the continents wars have been fought here as
well. This is a densely populated landscape that has contributed
dramatically to Europe’s rise to dominance on the international
scene.
Climate Categories
Relative LocationRelative Location – the location of a place in
relation to other locations/placesIs the relative location of
Europe favorable? YESIt is at the heart of the land hemisphere
It has maximum efficiency for contact with the rest of the
worldEvery part of Europe is close to the sea – a peninsula of
peninsulasIt has hundreds of miles of navigable waterways and
system of canalsThere are moderate distances between European
countriesOther geographical benefits…Wide range of climates
Varied store of raw materialsHome to numerous cultural-
linguistic peoples
*Favorable relative locationIf you look at all of the landmasses
in the world, Europe lies at the heart. Because it lies at the
heart, Europe is not too far from any other landmass. Making
things even better, Europe is close to the sea, making this
contact easier. Not only is Europe close to the sea, but it also
has hundreds of miles of waterways etc that make transportation
between and within countries easier. Finally, European

countries are close together and the distances between countries
is very small making interaction easy.
Relative Location
*What we mean by the heart of the land hemisphere.
Historical GeographyPeopled during the retreat of the last
glaciersAncient GreeceAchievements in political science,
philosophy, and the arts that have endured for 25
centuriesRomeFirst-metropolitan-scale urban center in
EuropeUnparalleled infrastructure – the foundations of society;
urban centers, transport networks, communications, energy
distribution systems, farms, factories, mines, schools, hospitals,
postal services, and policed/armed forcesLocal Functional
Specialization – particular people in particular places
concentrate on the production of particular goods and
servicesElba - iron oreParts of North Africa - granariesSouthern
Spain - silver and lead
*Understand what local functional specialization…that one
place produces something another place needs and vice versa
and a trade network sets up between the places. So in the
example, Elba produces iron ore, parts of North Africa have
granaries, and southern Spain provides silver and lead and each
of these areas trade these goods with one another.
Historical Geography

The Paving of Modern Europe
Europe’s Three RevolutionsAgrarian RevolutionBegan in
Europe in the 1750sThe thriving of the port cities and capital
cities created economic opportunities for farmers which spurred
new agricultural innovations:Improved farm practicesBetter
equipmentBetter storage facilitiesMore efficient transport to
urban areasEnabled increased food productionEnabled sustained
population increase
*Agrarian Revolution – the agrarian revolution was of extreme
importance in setting Europe up for the Industrial Revolution.
Increased food production allowed population to grow and a
larger population gave Europe its worker base for the industrial
economy.
Von Thunen’s Isolated State ModelVon Thunen’s Isolated State
ModelAn idealized model of agriculture based on four
concentric land use rings surrounding a market placeStart with
market center…1st ring (closest to market center) - intensive
farming and dairying of the most perishable products and
highest-priced products2nd ring – forest used for timber and
firewood3rd ring – extensive field crops: grains, potatoes4th
ring – pastures and livestockBeyond 4th ring – wilderness
*Von Thunen’s Model – in order to understand Europe’s
agricultural patterns a man by the name of Von Thunen

developed the Isolated State Model. In an ideal world (which of
course does not exist but we’ll pretend it does) we start with a
city center. The agricultural activity closest to the city center
(1st ring) would be intensive farming and dairying. These
products would be your perishable products (milk, eggs,
veggies, fruits etc). The next ring would involve the extraction
of timber/firewood from forests. The third ring would be
extensive field cropping of such things as potatoes and grains.
The fourth ring would involve the raising of livestock on
pastures/fields. And finally, beyond the fourth ring resides
wilderness.
VON THUNEN’S ISOLATED STATE
*
Europe’s Three RevolutionsIndustrial Revolution Initiated in
Britain and quickly spread to the continent between 1750-1850
due to Britain’s: control over the flow of raw
materialsmonopoly over products in global demandpossessed
the skills to make the machines that manufacture the
productsWhat were some of the innovations?Power loomSteam-
driven engineCoal used to smelt iron instead of charcoalProved
to be a major catalyst towards increased urbanization, rapid
population growth, and colonial domination

*Industrial Revolution – one can not even begin to talk about
the importance of the industrial revolution in understanding
current world patterns. I will not attempt to do so except to say
that it was an extremely important event that lead to colonial
domination. As we have already learned, many places in the
world are still trying to recover from the aftereffects of
colonization.
Europe’s Spatial Industrial Patterns after the Industrial
Revolution
*Notice how many industrial zones are located in Europe.
Europe’s Three RevolutionsPolitical RevolutionState
formation a long evolutionary process in EuropeThe French
Revolution, 1789-1795Laid the foundation for modern nation-
statesDemocracy and nationalism were the major themesThe rise
of the Nation-State (1860-1870’s)Nation – a people with a
single language, a common history, and a similar ethnic
backgroundState – a politically organized territory,
administered by a sovereign government and recognized by the
international community. A state must also have:a permanent
resident populationan organized economya functioning internal
regulation system

*Political Revolution – many people do not realize that Europe
has not had the same political divisions as it does today. In the
1800’s, for example, large sections of Europe were an
amalgamation of states and cities ruled by kings, princes, rulers,
etc. In fact, Germany was not even unified into a solid country
until 1871. The political revolution is what stymied this
consolidation of separate entities into one state and gives us the
pattern we see today.
THE PAVING OF MODERN EUROPE Europe’s Three
RevolutionsPolitical Revolution cont. In European nation-
states… People consider themselves to be a nationEmotional
and legal ties are expressed in the state’s legal institutions,
political system, and ideological strengthHowever, there are few
TRUE nation-states (i.e. homogenous nations bound together in
a state): exceptions are Poland, Hungary and SwedenEurope’s
dichotomy – what is it?Centrifugal Forces – forces that tear
countries apart…like what?Centripetal Forces – forces that
unify and bind countries together…like what?
*Europe’s dichotomy….Europe is in an interesting position
right now. As we will see later in the lecture, Europe is trying
to unify through the European Union (see later lecture notes if
you do not know what the EU is) but individual countries are
also splitting apart through a process called devolution (see
lecture notes for definition and details). These are known as
centripetal and centrifugal forces and both are strong forces at
work in Europe today.
Centripetal Forces in Europe

SupranationalismSupranationalism – the voluntary association
in economic, political, or cultural spheres of three or more
independent states willing to yield some measure of sovereignty
for mutual benefit
New “Euro”Currency
*Centripetal forcesSo many countries (25 in all) have joined the
European Union. In order to join a country must agree to the
rules and conditions set forth by the EU in all spheres:
economic, political, defense. However, in return for a decrease
in autonomy, these countries get a lot of benefits.
Centripetal Forces in Europe
History of European UnificationBenelux Agreement
1944Belgium, Netherlands, LuxembourgGoal: total economic
integrationEase flow of goods over bordersLower restrictive
tariffsPolitical cooperationOEEC – Organization for European
Economic CooperationEstablished to coordinate the investment
of America’s air (under the Marshall Plan after WWII)European
Economic Community (“Common Market”), 1957European
Community, 1973European Union, 1995
*European integration began with the Benelux Agreement and
progressed from there.
Centripetal Forces

The European Union - EUEuropean organization aimed at
coordinating policies among its members in three
areas:EconomicsDefenseJustice and home affairsWhy would a
country want to sacrifice autonomy?Benefits of
Supranationalism? Adverse effects of supranationalism?EU’s
newest members as of May 2004? (know these)Problems with
the new members?Cyprus’s duality
*Why would a country want to sacrifice its autonomy?On the
one hand, supranationalism is a scary concept. Countries that
join the EU have to abide by the EU’s policies, guidelines, and
laws. In this sense, a country loses some of it power, authority,
and autonomy. On the other hand, that country also gains
support in terms of its economy and defense. This makes
supranationalism a double-edged sword (there are both pros and
cons), but many countries are choosing the route of joining
because the benefits thus far outweigh the costs.
The
European
Union
(EU)
*What countries were the….Initial members?Latest members?
Joined in the 1970’s?Want to join?

Centrifugal Forces in EuropeDevolution – the process by which
regions or peoples within a state, through negotiation or active
rebellion, demand and gain political strength (and sometimes
autonomy) at the expense of the centerUK – Scotland, Wales
and Northern IrelandSpain – BasquesFrance – CorsicaBelgium –
FlemishFormer Yugoslavia Former CzechoslovakiaThe Four
MotorsRhone-Alps region in France, Lombardy in Italy,
Catalonia in Spain, and Baden-Wurttemberg in GermanyRegions
bypass their national governments in dealing with one another
and their influence spans the world
*Many countries in Europe are facing secession and
independence movements.The U.K. has had issues with
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. All of these entities The
Basques in Spain have their own distinct language and want
their own country. France have had problems with separatist
groups seeking greater autonomy for Corsica throughout the
years. The Flemish (Dutch speakers) in Belgium want to create
their own separate country and have resorted to ostracizing
speakers of different languages (especially French). The Former
Yugoslavia completely disintegrated (which we will see soon).
Former Czechoslovakia split in the Czech Republic and
Slovakia, two separate countries.
DEVOLUTION
IN
EUROPE
DEVOLUTIONARY
AREAS
*Notice all the areas of devolution.

Europe is especially endowed with outstanding opportunities for
productive contact and profitable interactionThe links between
regions, countries, and places in Europe are guided by three
main principles:
Complementarity
Transferability
Intervening Opportunity
Economic Geography
Contemporary Europe
*Europe is in a unique position as most of the countries within
this realm are highly integrated. Three principles that guide
economic interaction between European countries and regions.
Complementarity- two places, through an exchange of goods,
can specifically satisfy each other’s demands.Occurs when one
area has a surplus of an item demanded by a second area.
Example: ItalyItaly lacks coalItaly imports coal from Western
Europe and in return exports its citrus fruits, olives and grapes
to Western Europe
Economic Geography
Complementarity
Germany
Italy
*

Economic Geography
Complementarity
*
Transferability - the ease with which a commodity may be
transported or the capacity to move a good at a bearable costDo
you remember friction of distance?Factors that increase the
friction of distance: rivers, mountain passes, road
networksFactors that decrease the friction of distance: advances
in transportation technology, closely spaced
cities/countriesDoes Europe have a high or low friction of
distance? Why or why not?
Economic Geography
Transferability
*Europe has an extremely low friction of distance. Not only is it
blessed with an abundance of waterways and small distances
between countries, but it also has some of the most
sophisticated transportation networks in the world. And even
though mountains abound, these mountains are not enough to
prohibit interaction.

Intervening Opportunity - the presence of a nearer source of
supply or opportunity that acts to diminish the attractiveness of
more distant sources and sitesExample: ItalyA major coalfield
is found in SwitzerlandItaly would reduce or eliminate its
imports of coal from Western Europe and instead import coal
from Switzerland
Economic Geography
Intervening Opportunity
*
Population Geography
An Urban RealmA highly urbanized realm: 1800 – 9%
population urbanizedNow – 73% population
urbanizedMetropolis – the central city and its suburban
ringPrimate City – a country’s leading city, disproportionately
large and exceptionally expressive of national capacity and
feeling
*Europe is a highly urbanized realm. The Industrial Revolution
is in a large part responsible for this urbanization as it caused
people to move from the rural countryside to the cities where
the jobs were located.

POPULATION DENSITY
Population Density: 265.2 persons per square mile
Urbanization: 73%
EUROPE
*
European vs. American CitiesSimilarities:CBD – Central
Business District (but CBD more dominant than in
U.S.)Suburban ringDifferencesHigh suburban density –
why?Greenbelts – recreational spaces set aside Apartments, not
single family homesReliance on public
transportationCentralized urban planning
*If we were to compare the American city to the European city
there would be some similarities but there would also be some
very distinct differences. Both the American and European city
have a CBD. However, in European cities the CBD is still
dominant (there has not been this huge shift from the CBD to
the outer cities due to suburbanization in European cities). Even
though there is a suburban ring surrounding the city, this
suburban ring is not comprised of single family homes
(sometimes huge single family homes) like American suburbs
but rather townhouses and apartments. Public transportation is
very prominent and widely used by all people in European
cities. American cities do not have the same level of public
transportation available le, and only certain classes of people
are the prominent users.Another difference between European
and American cites lies in the planned nature of European

cities. European cities have large greenbelt areas surrounding
the city where people can go for recreation etc. In American
cities, this large expanse of greenbelt is almost nonexistent.
Europe is Vanishing…The Population ImplosionThe declining
of population (as opposed to the population explosion)In
Europe…population is declining in many countries:Austria,
Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UkraineTotal
(Replacement) Fertility Rate – the average number of children a
woman needs to bear in order to replace herself and her partner
= 2.1 childrenEurope’s TFR = 1.4Natural Increase PercentWhat
is it for European countries?
*Europe is vanishing. Many countries have zero percent growth
rates while many others have negative population growth rates.
Make sure you understand what problems a population
implosion causes.
Europe is Vanishing…Why is population declining?The greater
the urbanization, the less children couples have – why? Other
reasons?What is the problem with a population implosion?Less
young people = more elderly peopleNumber of workers whose
taxes pay for social services of the aged goes down – reduced
pensions and dwindling funds for health careTax increases to
offset losses in tax-base endanger business climateOther

problems?Decline in population is being offset by immigration:
Turks, Algerians, Moroccans, West Africans, IndonesiansVast
majority intensely devout, politically aware, and culturally
insularProblems this causes?
*Other reasons for population decline?Birth Control – birth
control is fairly new. It really gained prominence and
widespread usage in the 1970’s. This allowed women to choose
when to get pregnant for the first time and allowed families to
have less children.
European
RegionsWestern Europe
The British Isles
Nordic Europe
Mediterranean
Europe
Eastern Europe
*
Regions of the Realm
Western EuropeIncludes Germany, France, Benelux,
Switzerland, Austria, and LiechtensteinThe heart of the
European realmHub of Europe’s economic power and unifying
driveWorld’s richest economies

Western Europe
GermanyA young country – not created until 1871Europe’s most
populous country, most powerful economy and most ardent
supporter of the EUSeparation after WWII into:East Germany –
controlled by the U.S.S.R. and modeled on the Russian-
communist modelWest Germany – Ally control and formed into
a federal state along democratic lines (thrived
economically)Reunification after the collapse of the Soviet
UnionDisparity between eastern and western states (see Figure
1-15)West Germany has yet to come up with the economic key
to success for East Germany
States of Germany (Fig. 1-15)
Western Europe
FrancePrimate City = Paris – why Paris?Advantageous Site –
the physical attributes of the place it occupiesOriginal
settlement on an island in the Seine River - Île de la Cité The
security the island gave ensured its continuityAdvantageous
Situation – a place’s location relative to surrounding areas of
productive capacity, other cities/towns, barriers to access and
movement etc.Fertile agricultural hinterlandNumerous
waterways and canals connected Paris to other important
agricultural/industrial areasRadial system of roads ensured easy

access and movement
Paris’s Site and Situation
Western Europe
FranceEconomic GeographyOne of the world’s most productive
and most diversified economiesPost-industrial economy
dominated by high-tech industries: high-speed trains, aircraft,
fiber-optic communication systems, and space-related
technologiesWorld leader in nuclear powerSupplies 75% of the
country’s electricityReduces dependence on foreign oilRhone-
Alps region – self-standing economic powerhouse and one of
Four MotorsPolitical Geography22 provinces, and various
regions designed to appease devolutionary forces threatening to
tear country apart
Western Europe
BeneluxBelgium, Netherlands, and LuxembourgRegional
complementarity between agriculturally productive Netherlands
and industrially developed BelgiumMost densely populated
countries on earthDutch have expanded living space by wresting
land from the sea – Zuider Zee project (drained almost entire
southern sea)BelgiumDevolutionary force between Flemish and

WalloonsFlemish: live in the northwest, speak Dutch, constitute
58% of the population, but held little power in the 19th and 20th
centuries – granted regional autonomyWalloons: live in the
southeast, speak French, constitute 31% of the population, and
held almost all the government posts
Western Europe
The Alpine StatesSwitzerland, Austria, and
LiechtensteinSwitzerlandLandlocked state – a country located in
the interior of a continent without access to the
seaAdvantageous or disadvantageous?Why is Switzerland a
‘lesson in human geography’? (see book for
answer)AustriaRemnant of the Austro-Hungarian
empireHistorical geography similar to Eastern European
countriesLiechtenstein
Western Europe
The British IslesTwo main islands: BritainIrelandFour main
cultural sections:EnglandScotlandWalesIrelandTwo main
political units:United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
IrelandRepublic of Ireland

The British IslesHistorical GeographyInsularity allowed
security and protection from turbulent continental EuropeAble
to develop parliamentary systemBecame world’s largest colonial
empireSite of the Industrial RevolutionThe mismatch of
physical and political geographyBritish occupied Ireland and
many protestants from northern Britain settled in the
northeastern portion of IrelandIreland set free and made
independent, 1921British kept control of Northern Ireland due
to settlers, hence, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern IrelandLeft Irish Catholics in British controlled north
– caused tensionIntermittent fighting characterizes this situation
*The entity known as the UK is a mismatch between physical
and political geography because not only does it include the
entire island of Britain, but it also includes a little section in the
northern portion of Ireland. Why is this mismatch an issue?
Because fighting has gone on over this piece of land in northern
Ireland for more than half a century between the Irish Catholics
and the Protestant English who both live there.
The British IslesUnited KingdomRegion of major devolutionary
forces:The case of Northern IrelandWelsh nationalism
established Welsh Assembly to administer public services in
Wales, 1997Scottish nationalism formed a Scottish parliament,
1997, and hopes for an independent Scotland persistRepublic of

Ireland“Celtic Tiger”An EU success storyGrowing, booming,
service-based economy reflected by burgeoning cities/towns,
mushrooming industrial parks, bustling traffic, and construction
everywhere
Northern (Nordic)
EuropePeripheral situation Remote, isolated, and
environmentally severeNo major shipping lanesLimited
interactionRemoved from warsDemocratic governments,
individual rights and social welfare, strong participation of
women
*
Mediterranean Europe
Mediterranean EuropeIncludes Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal,
Cyprus, and MaltaA discontinuous region of peninsulasOn the
periphery of the European coreCore-periphery contrasts sharp in
some placesOnly northern Italy and northern Spain part of the
coreUrbanization lower than rest of EuropeLiving standards lag
behind rest of EuropeMediterranean climate Hot-dry
summersDistinct agricultural plants/produce – like what?

Italy Best connected to the European coreMost economically
advancedDisplays a sharp north/south contrast Ancona line -
zone of transition between north and southIn the
north:Prominent cities: Milan, Turin, Florence, and
VeniceContains one of Europe’s Four MotorsContains leading
manufacturing complex, skilled labor force, hydroelectric
power, and creates wide range of export productsIn the
south:Stagnant, rural, poor, immigration problems
Italy
Economic Disparity between the North and the South
The Ancona Line
Mediterranean EuropeSpainDevolution a major force:Basque
Country A group of people in Northern Spain and Southern
FranceSeparate and very distinct culture and language (Basque
is related to NO other language in the world)ETA - Euskadi Ta
Azkatasuna (Basque Homeland and Freedom)Waged bloody
campaign for independence against Spain, 1960’s-
todayCatalonia (Barcelona)Leading industrial area, fierce
nationalism, own language and culture, one of Four

MotorsHigh-tech regional economyProduces 25% of Spain’s
exports and 40% of Spain’s industrial exportsIssue: Catalonian
separatism
DEVOLUTION
IN
EUROPE
DEVOLUTIONARY
AREAS
Mediterranean EuropeSpain cont. Sharp north/south contrastsIn
the north….think CataloniaIn the south…Drought-prone,
inadequate land reform, scare resources, and remoteness from
growth areas in SpainDispute over Gibraltar (‘The Rock’) with
BritainGibraltar ceded to Britain (in perpetuity), 1713British
colony with 30,000 residents and British institutions, legal
rules, and schoolsSpain demands Gibraltar back, but British
colonists refuse
Gibraltar – “The Rock”

The Question of CyprusHistorical GeographyTurks conquered
and controlled island, 1571-1878British took over,
1878Independence with majority rule (80% Greeks) but
minority rights (Turks), 1960Civil war, 1974Partition into
southern Greek portion and northern Turkish portionThe Green
Line separates the two sidesTurkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus declared, 1983, recognized only by TurkeyThe Greek
side joined the European Union, 2004
*The question of CyprusCyprus is in an interesting situation.
Look at the map of countries that belong to the EU and then
locate Cyprus. If you notice, only half of Cyprus belongs to the
EU. This is because the country is divided into two entities: the
Greek side (south) and the Turkish side (north) along a line
called the ‘Green Line’. The EU was going to allow both
entities to join in 2004. However, two votes were put into place
before One vote was for the Greek side (the ‘official’ side) to
decide whether the Turkish side should be allowed to join and
the second vote was for the Turkish side to decide whether they
wanted to join the EU. The Turkish side voted to join the EU,
but the Greek side voted to not allow them to join. Hence, only
the Greek side of the island belongs to the EU.
Eastern
Europe
Eastern EuropeContains the most countriesIncludes Europe’s
largest state but also incorporates Europe’s poorest

stateReaches into the Russian zone of influenceKey
Concepts:BalkanizationIrredentismEthnic
CleansingDevolutionShatter belt
*This is the poorest part of Europe and the part that is
struggling the most. Remember, it is here that the Soviets had
the strongest influence and many of these countries are still
trying to recover from the Soviet yoke. Those countries who
joined the EU will most likely be better off than their
counterparts who did not join.
Eastern EuropeBalkanization – the fragmentation of a region in
smaller, often hostile political unitsStems from the verb
balkanize, which means fragmentApplied to the Southern half of
Eastern Europe, i.e., the Balkan countries of the Balkan
PeninsulaShatter Belt – a zone of persistent splintering and
fracturing
WHY HERE?
*There are a lot of terms that are used to describe this region
and events that have occurred in different countries in this
region. Make sure you know the examples and the terms used.
Eastern EuropeWhy do the terms shatter belt and balkanization

describe this area so aptly?Area of tumultuous migrations, epic
battles, foreign invasions, and imperial episodesDifferent
cultures have come and stayed in this region leaving their
imprint on the cultural landscape and conflict in their
wake:Romans and the Soviet EmpireReligiousChristian
Orthodox from the eastRoman Catholicism from the
southeastMuslims (Ottomans) from the south
Eastern EuropeIrredentism - A policy of cultural extension and
political expansion aimed at a national group living in a
neighboring countryExample: Hungary
B
A
A
RIVER & BORDER
COUNTRIES
MINORITY
POPULATION
BORDER
ADJUSTMENT
*
ETHNIC GROUPS IN
EASTERN EUROPE

Eastern EuropeEthnic Cleansing - refers to the forcible ouster of
entire populations from their homelands by stronger powers
bent on taking their territoriesExample: cleansing of Bosnians
by Serbs in former Yugoslavia
A
B
A
COUNTRIES
BORDER
MINORITY
POPULATION
ETHNIC MOSIAC
OF EASTERN EUROPE
*
Eastern EuropeCountries Facing the BalticPoland, Lithuania,
Latvia, and BelarusSoviet domination affected and continues to
affect these countriesWhich of these countries joined the EU in
2004?The Landlocked CenterThe Velvet DivorceCzechoslovakia
split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia after the Slovaks
disagreed with the direction of economic reforms after the
Soviet eraCalled velvet because of the ease and peacefulness

with which it was achievedHungaryIrredentism in the form of
the Status Law in which Hungary grants work, health and travel
benefits to ethnic Hungarians living in neighboring countries
Eastern EuropeCountries Facing the Black SeaUkraine,
Moldova, Romania, and BulgariaUkraineDivide between
Russian east and European westEach side had a presidential
candidatePro-Russian candidate ‘won’ in narrow and fraudulent
contestParliament and supreme court voided resultsConflict
exemplifies conflict between future and past, democracy and
authoritarianism, Russia and Europe
Eastern EuropeCountries Facing the Adriatic SeaSlovenia,
Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Serbia-MontenegroIn 1990, only
two countries existed: Yugoslavia and AlbaniaAfter WWI, 7
major and 17 minor cultural groups thrown togetherSlovenes
and Croats (Roman Catholics), Serbs (Serbian Orthodox
Church), MuslimsSerbs dominated political life, after WWII
communism took root
Eastern EuropeThe disintegration of YugoslaviaCollapse of
communism led to declaration of independence by Slovenia,
Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, and SerbiaSlovenia and Macedonia
– relatively peacefulBrutal wars in Croatia and BosniaFighting

over the rights of minorities in each of the newly declared
statesCroatia - 88% Croat, 12% Serb minorityBosnia - conflict
between Serbs, Croats, and MuslimsSerbia-MontenegroWhat has
happened with Montenegro?Kosovo – (Muslims vs. repressive
Serbs) now NATO controlled
*Yugoslavia is one of the classic examples of a country (former
by the way) that had all of these things happen within it:
irredentism, ethnic cleansing, devolution. It has also been
described as a shatter belt and the term balkanization came out
of its disintegration as well. Basically after the collapse of the
Soviet Union, Yugoslavia disintegrated. Some sections
separated peacefully (know these) while others experienced
intense conflict in which hundreds of thousands of people were
killed. Bosnia is one of the section of the former Yugoslavia
where the fighting was most intense. Look at the map of Bosnia
and notice where the different groups of people live. Seeing
this, it is easy to understand how it might be difficult to
separate this section into its own country because the different
groups of people are so dispersed. There is still tension in what
is left of Yugoslavia (now known as Serbia and Montenegro).
Know what just happened in Montenegro. Kosovo is an area that
looks like it might split from Serbia in the near future. Talk
about some major devolution!
Former Yugoslavia
Serbs
Muslims
Croats

No majority
Bosnia
The ‘Cauldron of Calamity’
*

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