Central Europe

World Geography Today Chapter 15

Central EuropePreview

Section 1: Germany

Section 2: The Alpine Countries

Section 3: Poland and the Baltics

Section 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary

Chapter Wrap-Up


Read to Discover

• What are some key events in the history of Germany?

• What are some features of German culture?

• What is Germany’s economy like?

• What issues and challenges does Germany face today?

Section 1: Germany


Question

What historic events have led to Germany’s unification?

Section 1: Germany


Germanic tribes fight against the

Roman Empire.

Germany reunites after

the fall of communism.

Holy Roman Empire and Hanseatic

League control German lands.

Charlemagne begins German

unification.

Prussia unites northern and

southern Germany.

Germany is divided

after World War II.

Germany’s Road to Unification

Section 1: Germany


• Charlemagne united German kingdoms in the 700s.

• Kingdoms became part of Holy Roman Empire.

• Hanseatic League united northern German towns in 1300s.

• Prussia and Habsburg Empire influenced German states by 1700s.

• Germany united in 1871.

• Germany lost two world wars.

• Germany divided into Communist East, democratic West.

• West Germany became an economic power.

• Germany united in 1990, after fall of communism.

Section 1: Germany

Key Events in German History


• German is dominant language, with regional dialects

• Noted literature, art, and music

• Protestant majority, large Catholic minority (mostly in south and west)

• Foods—Pork, sausage, veal, cheese, pastries

• Increasing concern for the environment

Section 1: Germany

Culture


• Powerful Economy—Fourth-largest GDP in the world

• Investments—Major investors in Central Europe

• Manufacturing—Machinery, automobiles, electronics, medical equipment, steel, high-tech equipment

• Mining—Coal, iron ore; Ruhr Valley is a key industrial center

• Agriculture—Efficient; grains, potatoes, sugar beets

Section 1: Germany

Economic Features


• Population—Aging and immigration are changing society, causing tension; low birthrates, longer life expectancies; most immigrants Turkish or ethnic Germans from the former Soviet Union

• Former East Germany—Economy and pollution are problems; unemployment high after close of inefficient factories; easterners resentful

Section 1: Germany

Issues and Challenges


Read to Discover

• What are some important features of Austria’s history, culture, and economy?

• What are the political, cultural, and economic features of Switzerland?



• History

• Part of Holy Roman Empire, then Austrian Empire, then Austro-Hungarian Empire

• United with Germany in World War II

• Independent since 1955

• Culture

• German language, Catholic religion

• Vienna—Key city in Central Europe; famous for architecture and music


Austria


• Economy

• Various industries—Steel, machinery, chemicals

• Forestry, hydropower, handicrafts (wood, glass, textile, ceramic), tourism, foreign trade


Austria (continued)


• Swiss states began to ally in late 1200s

• Independent of Habsburg rule in 1600s

• Confederation of 26 cantons

• Neutral—Not part of UN or EU, but site of various international organizations

• Four major languages—German, French, Italian, Romansh


Switzerland


• Roman Catholic and Protestant

• High standard of living

• International banking and insurance

• Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, watches, farm goods, dairy products, tourism


Switzerland (continued)


Question

How do the histories, cultures, governments, and economies of

Austria and Switzerland compare?



• Formerly an empire ruled by Habsburgs, who controlled much of Europe

• Independent since 1600s

• Located in Alps,

mountainous terrain

Austria Switzerland

• Occupied by Germany during World War II, by Allies after war

• Democratic republic

• German language and cultural

influence • Member of the EU

• Roman Catholicism common

• Diverse economies,

foreign operations, manufacturing,

tourism

• Confederation of 26 cantons

• Politically neutral

• Has not joined EU or NATO

• French, Italian, German, Romansh languages common

• Protestantism common



Read to Discover

• What is the history of Poland and the Baltic countries?

• What are the urban environments and economy of Poland like today?

• What influences have shaped culture in the Baltic countries?



Question

What important events have occurred in the history of Poland and the Baltics?



1700s to 1800sPoland occupied by Russia, Prussia, and Austria; Baltics occupied by Russia.

1910sPoland and Baltics become independent after World War I.

1940sThe Soviet Union occupies Poland and the Baltics.

1980sPoland breaks away from communism.

1991Baltic countries become independent.

1700 1900 1950 1990 2000



• Warsaw—Capital and transport hub on Vistula River

• Kraków—Beautiful medieval city

• Gdańsk—Main seaport and shipbuilding city

• Economic progress since end of communism; free-market economy; member of EU

• Auto and glass factories; weak coal and steel industries

• Farming in loess soils—Cereals, potatoes, sugar beets


Polish Cities and Economy


• Middle Ages—Balts in Latvia and Lithuania; Finns in Estonia

• Viking and German invaders influenced Baltic culture

• Trade brought other foreign influences

• Estonia—Finnish impact on language, Lutheran religion

• Latvia—Ties to Sweden

• Lithuania—Close to Polish culture and Catholic religion

• Russian minorities maintain customs


Baltic Influences


Read to Discover

• What are some similarities and differences in the histories of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary?

• What are the Czech Republic and Slovakia like today?

• How has the fall of communism affected Hungary?



• Slavic peoples inhabited Czech Republic and Slovakia; non-Slavic Magyars occupied Hungary.

• All three were part of Austro-Hungarian Empire.

• After World War I, Czech Republic and Slovakia combined as Czechoslovakia.

• Czech lands had minerals and industry; Slovakia was agricultural.

• Soviets set up Communist control over both Czechoslovakia and Hungary.

• Soviet control ended in the early 1990s, and the Czechs and Slovaks separated into two countries in 1993.


Comparing Histories


• Includes regions of Bohemia and Moravia

• 40 percent Roman Catholic; similar percentage non-religious

• Prague—Largest city; rich heritage; modern American influence; on seven hills along the Vltava River

• Minerals and industry—Coal, iron ore, uranium; steel and glass products

• Farming of cereals and sugar beets

• Economic progress slowed in late 1990s

• Member of NATO and the EU


Czech Republic


• Poorer country

• Difficult shift to capitalism; high unemployment

• Member of the EU

• Bratislava—Capital and largest city, on Danube River; center of trade, education, and culture

• Strong folk culture, especially art and music


Slovakia


Question

How has Hungary’s government and economy changed since the

fall of communism?



Improvements have been

made in rural water and sewage

services.

Hungary since the Fall of Communism

Most businesses

are now privately owned.

New industries,

foreign investment,

and tourists

have been attracted to

the country.


Many people are

moving from

Budapest to the

suburbs.

Hungary is a member of NATO

and the EU.


Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas

1. How did World Wars I and II shape the history of Germany?

2. What problems has eastern Germany faced since reunification?

3. Why have many American and Western European companies chosen Austria as a base for their European operations?

4. Why is loess important to Poland’s economy?

5. How does Hungary’s language differ from the languages of neighboring countries?

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