France & GermanySections 2-3

Section VocabularyparliamentParis (p. 431)Berlin (p. 437)chancellor (p. 439)reunification of Germanyfederal republic (p. 439)

Brief History of France

In ancient times, France was called Gaul.

The Romans ruled it until AD 400s.

Eventually England’s king, William the Conqueror ruled England and part of France.

After the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453), the French drove out the English.

In the 1500s – 1700s, France built colonies in the Americas, Africa and Asia.

1789 the French peasants overthrew the king (Reign of Terror).

Napoleon came to power and conquered much of Europe.◦He was exiled in 1815.

During WWI and WWII, German forces invaded France.

France had to work very hard to rebuild its economy.

During the 1950s-1960s many French colonies gained their independence. ◦Many of these people ended up

moving to France! Today, France is run by parliament

AND an elected president ◦(Parliament is a group of lawmakers)

France’s President, Francois Hollande

French Parliament (below)

The Culture of FranceMost people in France speak

French, and they are Catholic.Many immigrants live in France.The French enjoy good food,

good company, and good conversation.

JOIE DE VIVRE! The joy of life!

The French have beautiful architecture (buildings) and works of art.

France’s capital city is Paris (population 10 million).

France has a strong economy (agriculture, tourism, perfume, fashion).

FOR HOMEWORK:READ ABOUT THE BENELUX

COUNTRIES:PGS. 432-433

#3 & 4

The History of GermanyIn ancient times, Germany was

part of the Roman Empire. Germany was made up of

multiple small states until 1871 when Prussia, the strongest state, united Germany.

Germany was an industrial and military world power.

From 1914-1918, Germany fought and lost WWI.

Hitler promised to make things better.

During WWII, a political party in Germany almost conquered all of Europe.◦Holocaust

After WWII, Germany split into two countries: East Germany and West Germany.

ADD VOCABULARY WORD

Since West Germany was non-communist, aid helped it build.

East Germany’s economy suffered under communism.

In 1990, the reunification took place – the Berlin Wall was torn down and East and West Germany joined together again.

Culture of Germany90% of the population

speaks German.In north and central

Germany, most people are Protestant (Christian, non-Catholic).

In the south, most are Catholic.

Religious festivals are popular.

Germany has many famous musicians: Beethoven and Bach

Germany TodayGermany is a federal republic –

there is a parliament, a chancellor (also known as a prime minister), and a president. ◦The chancellor has a more involved

job than the president – the chancellor helps run the government in Germany.

Angela Merkel – Germany’s

current chancellor.

Today, Germany is an economic powerhouse!

The economy is based on industry such as chemicals, automobiles, and steel.

Agriculture (farming) is still important.◦Grain, potatoes,

timber (trees)

Germany’s largest city is its capital – Berlin.

Other large cities are Hamburg and Munich.

Germany has an excellent transportation system◦Autobahn

(highway)

Munich