Disunity in EuropeCy Woods

SHATTERBELTA region with the potential for

conflict because of ethnic, religious or political differences.

ex. Cyprus, the former Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland

Picture:

BALKANIZATIONThe break up of a region in mutually

hostile states

ex. Yugoslavia

Picture:

Cyprus

Cyprus is a former British colony. Both Turkish Cypriots (minority) in northern Cyprus and Greek Cypriots (majority) in southern Cyprus are in conflict over who should control the country.

1974 coup d'état

• Greek Cypriot National Guard overthrows the government of Republic of Cyprus.

• Turkish troops invaded.

• Examples of ethnic

cleansing on both sides.

Today

• Cyprus remains divided ethnically.

• UN Buffer Zone – a demilitarized zone patrolled by the UN

• Turkish Republic of Cyprus is recognized only by Turkey.

Use this map to color the oneon your paper.

The Basques

• The Basques are a minority ethnic group living in northeastern Spain and southwestern France. They want their independence from Spain in order to maintain their cultural identity.

• They speak Euskera as opposed to Spanish.

Use this map to color the oneon your paper.

Basque terrorism

• Targets Spanish and French security forces.

• A response to perceived threats from the Spanish against their culture.

Northern Ireland

Use this map to color the oneon your paper.

Who is fighting?

• Protestants

• Protestants are the majority in Northern Ireland.

• Catholics

• Catholics are a strong minority in Northern Ireland (and majority in Ireland)

Why is Northern Ireland not part of Ireland?

• Ireland was finally granted independence from UK in 1921.

• The Protestant minority in the north feared living in a Catholic country.

What did this mean for Northern Ireland?

• They would have some self-government, but still be part of the U.K.

• The Catholics were now the minority.

Catholics in Northern Ireland

• In the 1960s, Catholics started to take to the streets in protest. (inspired by Civil Rights Movement around the world)

• “Bloody Sunday”: In 1972, the British fired on a crowd and killed 20 people. They claim they were fired on first.

U2 – “Bloody Sunday”I can’t believe the news today

Oh, I can’t close my eyes and make it go awayHow long...How long must we sing this song? How long? how long...*Broken bottles under children’s feetBodies strewn across the dead end streetBut I won’t heed the battle callIt puts my back upPuts my back up against the wall

• And the battle’s just begunThere’s many lost, but tell me who has wonThe trench is dug within our heartsAnd mothers, children, brothers, sisters torn apart

• And it’s true we are immuneWhen fact is fiction and tv realityAnd today the millions cryWe eat and drink while tomorrow they die

“The Troubles”

• 1960s until 1998

• Violence was common and terrorism was the weapon of choice.

• Car bombs gained popularity.

Who is the IRA, and how do they fit in?

• A nationalist group devoted to the idea of a united Ireland.

• Want the British out of Northern Ireland.

The landscape of Northern Ireland

• You know when you are entering a Catholic or Protestant neighborhood.

Catholics call it Derry; Protestants call it Londonderry. Why wouldCatholics not want to call it Londonderry?

Conflict today

• A “peace wall” exists in some places, separating Protestants and Catholics.

• School children of each religion do not even go to the same schools.

Former Yugoslavia (past)Causes of Conflict

• The Ottoman Empire (present day Turkey) controlled parts of the Balkan Peninsula from the 1300’s until the end of WWI.

• Long periods of foreign rule created cultural differences – Ex. Many Bosnians converted to the Muslim religion, while others (Serbians, etc.) remained Christian. Ethnic and religious differences have led to continuous conflict in the Balkans region. Use this map to color the one

on your paper.

Former Yugoslavia (past)Causes of Conflict

The country of Yugoslavia was created in 1929 in hopes of ending divisions between the many ethnic groups living there.

After WWII Yugoslavia’s Communist government divided the country into 6 republics (states). Bosnia and Croatia were the most ethnically mixed of the republics.

Former Yugoslavia (present)Effects of Conflict

• After the Communist leader of Yugoslavia died in 1980, the government was supposed to rotate between the leaders of the 6 republics.

• In the 1990’s, the republic of Serbia wanted to increase their power in the region and began attacking many other republics as they attempted to declare independence.

• The Serbs used ethnic cleansing (the policy of trying to eliminate/remove an ethnic group) to kill many Bosnian Muslims and Croats.

US Involvement

• NATO (including many US troops) intervened to keep peace in the region.

• Ethnic cleansing

Ukraine• Ukrainians

overthrow president Feb. 2014.

• They wanted better integration with the EU, not Russia.

Russian intervention• Russia accused

US and EU of playing a role in the coup.

• Invaded Crimea region.– Majority ethnic

Russians.Use this map to color the oneon your paper.

International Response

• Vladimir Putin – Russian president

• Invasion strongly condemned by US, EU, and UN.

Summary

• What seems to be the root cause of the conflicts of Europe?