West-Central Europe includes France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Austria. The region has lowlands, uplands, and mountains like the Alps. Its climate and rivers have supported trade and agriculture. France has a long history and was once a global power but faced destruction in World Wars I and II. Germany unified in the 19th century but its aggressive actions led to division after World War II before reunifying. Switzerland and Austria, located in the Alps, have remained neutral despite being influenced by neighboring cultures.

1. West-Central EuropeChapter 13

2. Physical GeographySection 1

3. Physical FeaturesCountriesFrance, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, & AustriaBenelux countries (Low Countries)Belgium, the Netherlands, & LuxembourgAlpine countries (lie in the Alps mt. range)Switzerland & Austria

4. Lowlands, Uplands, & MountainsLandforms arranged like a fanNorthern European Plain: forms outer edge of fan; falls below sea level in some areasUplands: form middle of fan; begin at the Pyrenees Mts.; Massif Central in France & the Schwarzwald (black forest) in Germany are also important upland landformsMountains: center of fan; the Alps are highest range in EuropeLarge glaciers are present & avalanches occur often

5. Climate & WaterwaysMarine west coast climateMild winters, mild summers; Low annual temperature range; Heavy cloud cover & high humidity; Frequent cyclonic storms, with prolonged rain, drizzle and fog. areas farther from North Atlantic are colder (Germany)The Alps feed west-central Europe’s navigable riversDeep enough & wide enough to used by shipsFrance: the Seine, the Loire, the Garonne, & the Rhone RiversGermany: the Rhine, the Danube, the Elbe, the Oder, & the Weser RiversImportant for trade & travel

6. ResourcesForestsMost cut down centuries agoFields that remain are very productiveGermany’s plains: rich in loess (fine, wind blown soil deposits)Germany & France produce grapes for winesSwitzerland: pastures support dairy cattleMineral resourcesIron ore, oil, coal, & natural gasNuclear power & hydroelectric power supply region w/ energy needsResources are unevenly distributed throughout region

7. Section 2France

8. HistoryBeen occupied by many European countriesAncient timesPart of GaulEarly History600 B.C.Greeks set up coloniesGaul conquered by the Romans; est. Latin-based lang. that developed into French; rule lasted until A.D. 400Franks (Germanic people) conquered GaulCharlemagne was ruler of Franks

9. Dreamed of building Christian empire as great as old Roman EmpireA.D. 800 crowned Emperor of RomansStrengthened gov’t & improved education & arts in EuropeEmpire divided after his deathNorsemenInvaded from northern Europe; settled in western France (Normandy)

10. Middle AgesPeriod from collapse of Roman Empire to 1500Kings were not very powerfulDepended on nobles cooperation1066Duke of Normandy conquered EnglandKings of England also ruled part of France1300sKing of England tried to claim throne of Francelead to Hundred Years’ War (1337 to 1453)French armies drove English out of France & French kings slowly increased their power over noblesRoman Catholic church united Europe during this periodCathedrals were built

11. Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris

12. Revolution and Napoleon’s Empire1500s to 1700sFrance built global empireEst. colonies in America, Asia, & AfricaPeople of France lived in poverty & had few rights1789French Revolution beganKing was overthrown & elected gov’t est.1799Napoleon Bonaparte took powerGreat military leader & later took title as emperorConquered most of EuropeBuilt new roads in France, reformed education, est. metric system

13. 1815Alliance of Austria, U.K., Prussia, & Russia defeated NapoleonFrench king regained throne

14. World WarsWWIGerman army controlled northern & eastern FranceWWIIGerman army controlled northern & western parts of France1944Allies (U.S., British, & Canada) landed in Normandy & push Germans outTwo wars in 30 years destroyed FranceFactories, cities, bridges, railroads, & train stations1949North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) formedFrance was founding memberAlliance was created to protect western Europe from future attacks

15. Government1950s & 1960sFrench colonies in Asia & Africa became independentOther smaller territories around the world remainedFrance TodayRepublic with parliament & elected presidentFounding member of European Union (EU)Trying to replace currencyThe franc & EU currency the euro

16. Culture85% are Roman Catholic5%-10% are MuslimSpeak French mostlyImmigrants from Africa, Caribbean, & Southeast Asia influence French food, clothing, music, & art

17. CustomsMediterranean foodsWheat, olives, cheeses, & garlicWine is produced in many regionsMany festivals celebratedBastille Day (July 14)1789 a mob stormed the Bastille, a royal prison in Paris; recognized as start of French Revolution

18. The Arts & LiteratureGreat tradition of poetry, philosophy, music, & visual artsLate 1800s & early 1900sCenter of impressionism (capture the rippling of light rather than an exact, realistic image

19. France TodayMajor agricultural & industrial countryResources, labor force, & location help spur economic growthExportsWheat, olives, wine, & cheesesFactories: cars, airplanes, shoes, clothing, machinery, & chemicalsMajor cities linked by high-speed trains & excellent highways

21. Section 3Germany

22. HistoryGermansDescendants of tribe from northern EuropeConquered by RomansLand named Germania

23. Growth of a NationSmall cities states developed regionRuled by princes& with help of Roman Catholic Church became part of Holy Roman EmpirePrussia1871- United German city states into one nationDeveloped into industrial and military world power

24. War and Division1914-1918Fought and lost WWIWar damages and depression hurt economy1920sAdolf Hitler led Nazis in Germany1933 Nazis took power & invaded Austria, Czechoslovakia, & Poland and started WWII1942 Germany & Italy had conquered most of Europe

25. Concentration campsWere people were forced to from occupied countriesWere enslaved or killed6 million Jews & millions of other people were murdered in a mass killing called the Holocaust

27. Allies of Britain, Soviet Union, U.S., & others eventually defeated Germany in 1945Germany was divided into occupation zones by allies Britain, France, & U.S. later combined zones to form West Germany Soviet Union set up communist country of East Germany w/ an unlimited totalitarian government1961 Berlin Wall was built to stop East Germans from escaping to the West

28. Reunification & Modern GovernmentWest GermanyRoads, cities, railroads, & industries rebuilt after the war w/ U.S. financial aidFree enterprise economyEast GermanyRebuilt but was less prosperousGov’t allowed little freedomCommand economy was less productive1980sEast Germans demanded for democratic reform1989Berlin Wall was torn down1990East & West Germany reunitedTodayDemocratic rightsParliament elects president & prime minister (chancellor)Member of EU & NATO

29. Culture34% are Roman Catholic38% ProtestantDiversity90% are ethnic GermansTurks, Poles, & Italians live & work in Germany“guest workers” do not have citizenshipThousands of refugees from Easter Europe in last 50 years

30. CustomsFood emphasizes products of the forests, farms, & seasonsSausage, cheese, wine, & beerCelebrationsOktoberfest, Sangerfast, & FastnachtChristmas is major festival

31. The Arts & LiteratureJohannes Gutenberg1st European to print books using movable metal type1700s & 1800sGermany led Europe in development of classical musicLudwig van BeethovenRichard Wager operas of folktales of ancient Germany

32. Germany TodayFederal RepublicParliament chooses chancellor (prime minister)Also elects president (ceremonial duties)Belongs to EU and NATOEurope’s largest economy1/5 of all good and services in EUBased on industry (chemicals, engineering, and steel)Major cropsGrain, potatoes, and grapes

33. The Alpine Countries

34. Names after AlpsDraw touristsBoth landlockedInfluenced by German cultureGeneral Background Info.

35. AustriaHome to Habsburgs (powerful family of German nobles)At their height of power they ruled Spain, Netherlands, areas of Germany, eastern Europe, & ItalyOn losing side of WWIBecame republic after warToday modern industrialized nationMember of EUSpeak GermanProsperous economyLittle unemployment

36. SwitzerlandIndependent since 1600sSwiss Cantons (26 districts)each controls own affairs; national gov’t handles defense & international relationsLocation in high Alps has allowed it to remain neutral in European warsNot a member of EU or NATO2002 joined UN (United Nations)LanguageGerman, French, Italian, and RomanshWorld’s highest standards of livingFamous for banks, watches, chocolate and cheese

37. CultureSwitzerland46% is Roman Catholic40% ProtestantAustriaMainly Roman Catholic5% Protestant17% follow Islam

38. Languages & DiversitySwitzerland64% speak German18% speak French10% speak ItalianSoutheast speak RomanshOther European languagesAustriaGerman speakingSmall minorities of Slovenes & Croatians

39. CustomsChristmas is a major festivalRural SwitzerlandTake cattle up to high mts. in late spring & return in the fallBig celebration when they returnAlpine regionWell known for its musicWolfgang Amadeus Mozart

40. The Alpine Countries TodayBoth produce dairy productsSwitzerlandManufactures watches, optical instruments, & other machineryChemists discovered how to make chocolate barsMajor producer, but has to import cocoa beansAlpine countries linked by highways, trains, & airportsTourists are attracted by mountain scenery, lakes, & ski slopes

41. Section 4The Benelux Countries

42. Once inhabited by Celtic & Germanic tribesWere conquered by the RomansCharlemagne ruled area after fall of Roman EmpireRegion was ruled by various French rulers & by the Holy Roman emperor after Charlemagne1555King Philip II of Spain was given Low Countries1570s Protestants in the Netherlands won freedom from Spanish ruleNetherlands became a great naval & colonial power1830Belgium became an independent kingdomHistory

43. Scarred regionMany WWI battles took place in BelgiumWWIIGermany occupied Low Countries1949Belgium, Netherlands, & Luxembourg were founding members of NATOLater joined EUTodayRuled by parliament & monarchMonarch duties are mostly ceremonialNetherlands controls several Caribbean islandsWorld Wars

44. ReligionRoman Catholic, Protestant, & those w/ no religious tiesLanguageDutch is spoken in the NetherlandsFlemish is spoken in Flanders, the northern part of BelgiumFrench is spoken in other parts of BelgiumBenelux countries are also home to immigrants from Asia & AfricaCulture

45. Diary products, fish, & sausageSpices from Southeast Asia are used in many Dutch dishesBelgians claim to have invented French fries, which they eat w/ mayonnaiseFood

46. Netherlands & Belgium are world leaders in fine artsVincent van Gogh, Rembrandt & Jan VermeerArts

48. NetherlandsFamous for flowersExport: cheeses, Chocolate, & cocoaimports/refines: oilBelgiumKnown for diamond-cutting centersBrussels is headquarters of EU & NatoLuxembourgImportant banking servicesProduces: steel, chemicals, and machinesInternational businesses & governmentsThe Benelux Countries Today

50. Section 5The Alpine Countries

51. HistoryAustria & SwitzerlandCeltic OccupationRoman & Germanic invasionRuled by Holy Roman Empire

52. SwitzerlandSwiss Cantons (districts)Broke away from Holy Roman Empire1600s became IndependentToday26 cantons; each controls own affairs; national gov’t handles defense & international relationsLocation in high Alps has allowed it to remain neutral in European warsNot a member of EU or NATO2002 joined UN (United Nations)

53. AustriaHome to Habsburgs (powerful family of German nobles)1400s on Holy Roman emperor was always a HabsburgAt their height of power they ruled Spain, Netherlands, areas of Germany, eastern Europe, & ItalyEmpire was ethnically diverse & united only by allegiance to emperor & Roman Catholic religionAustria Empire replaced Holy Roman Empire, also under Habsburg controlNationalism (demand for self-rule)developed within empire1867Austrians & Hungarians agreed to share political powerBecame Austro-Hungarian Empire, but dissolved after WWIGermany occupied Austria during WWIIAllies occupied Austria after WWIITodayIndependent member of EU

54. CultureSwitzerland46% is Roman Catholic40% ProtestantAustriaMainly Roman Catholic5% Protestant17% follow Islam

55. Languages & DiversitySwitzerland64% speak German18% speak French10% speak ItalianSoutheast speak RomanshOther European languagesAustriaGerman speakingSmall minorities of Slovenes & Croatians

56. CustomsChristmas is a major festivalRural SwitzerlandTake cattle up to high mts. in late spring & return in the fallBig celebration when they returnAlpine regionWell known for its musicWolfgang Amadeus Mozart

57. The Alpine Countries TodayBoth produce dairy productsSwitzerlandManufactures watches, optical instruments, & other machineryChemists discovered how to make chocolate barsMajor producer, but has to import cocoa beansAlpine countries linked by highways, trains, & airportsTourists are attracted by mountain scenery, lakes, & ski slopes