Human Geography of Europe

History of Europe

Ancient Peoples

• Around 2000 b.c. people come to the Balkan Peninsula – Greece

• Mountains divided them.• They created city-states, a political unit made

up of a city and its surrounding area

• Sparta- creates a warrior society• Athens- creates the first democracy –

government in which the people rule

Alexander the Great

• 338 bc Alexander the Great unites Greece• Alexander continues to take over the world

including Persia, Egypt, and all the way to India.

• By 26 he had conquered most of the known world.

• He died at age 32.

Ancient Glory

• Around 500bc Rome takes over the Italian peninsula

• Government is a republic – where elected representatives rule for the citizens.

• Rome’s emphasis on military soon gives them the strength to expand further

Rome becomes an Empire

• Julius Caesar comes to power around 50 bc.• After a civil war he makes himself emperor• He is very popular with the people, but not

the other leaders. He is murdered by the Senators.

• After his death Rome becomes an Empire.

The rise of Christianity

• Around the same time Christianity emerges.• Christianity was a new religion based on

following the teachings of Jesus Christ.• Jesus taught about concepts such as humility,

charity, and love towards others.• Many Romans saw Jesus as a revolutionary and

thought the new movement might led to a revolt.• Jesus was put on a cross and crucified. Many of

his followers were persecuted.

Rise of Christianity continued

• Despite Jesus’ death Christianity continued to grow

• Christianity attracted people from many classes and aspects of Roman life

• The stress on spiritual equality was new for many people

• By 400 AD it was the official religion of Rome

Roman Empire Splits

• Rome split into Eastern and Western Rome after over-extending itself

• The Eastern empire became Byzantium• The Western empire became weak and fell to

invaders.

Continent Divided

• Europe is divided into many warring states over the next centuries

• France and Germany are the largest and most productive regions.

• They have a strong influence on the other near by regions

Charlemagne

• In the late 700s, a powerful leader emerges.• Karl of the Francs (later renamed

Charlemagne), conquers most of Europe • He is crowned the Holy Roman Emperor by

the Pope• He unites most of Western Europe• Considered “father of Europe”

Europe Invade

• After Karl’s death his empire falls into smaller competing countries

• Europe begins to have waves of invasions.• The most significant came from the Vikings;

who raided, destroyed, and pillaged.

Development of Feudalism

• The people needed protection, so a new system was developed.

• Feudalism exchanged land for protection.• Vassals gave military service to the lords for

land.• A warrior class, called knights, developed

Europe begins to Grow

• With a time of peace and prosperity Europe begins to grow

• Europe’s population doubles from 1000-1300AD to 75 million people

• People move into cities• Italian cities were especially vibrant and

prosperous.

The Black Death

• The increase in urban population brought filth and cramped quarters to cities

• It was the perfect breeding conditions for disease, rats, and fleas.

• This brought on the rapid spread of the Black Death

The Renaissance

• Means rebirth, the renaissance came from and reintroduction of science and knowledge into Europe

• Leonardo da Vinci was a famous painter/inventor of the Renaissance

• Martin Luther began a Reformation of the church that would led to new protestant churches

• Copernicus made advances with astronomy• William Shakespeare greatly advanced the

English plays

• Renaissance innovations are still used today

Age of Discovery

• After the Renaissance people start to look for a quicker way to Asia.

• Portugal takes an early lead.

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Age of Discovery

• After the Renaissance people start to look for a quicker way to Asia.

• Portugal takes an early lead. Followed by Spain, the Netherlands, France, and England

P S

Age of Discovery

• After the Renaissance people start to look for a quicker way to Asia.

• Portugal takes an early lead.• Eventually Spain surpasses Portugal when

Christopher Columbus sails in 1492.

PS E

Age of Discovery• After the Renaissance people start to look for

a quicker way to Asia.• Portugal takes an early lead.• Spain's colonies in the New World will

produce a lot of wealth. Eventually, the British will join them.

S PE

Revolutions• The 1700s was the century of revolutions.• 1776, British colonies in America revolt. (That’s

US)• 1789, the French revolt. It is long and bloody.

Napoleon• The French Revolution led to the rise of Napoleon.• Napoleon Bonaparte takes control of the French army.• He wants to conquer all of Europe.• He eventually decides to invade Russia too. This will be the

beginning of the end. He invaded during winter.• Only 40,000 soldiers survive.• One of the greatest military disasters in History. – He is not

Alexander the Great.• Napoleon was measured at 5’2” during his autopsy, but this

was on the old system of the French. By our system he would be 5’6” which was average for his time.

• His guards were usually tall and imposing which may have made him look smaller.

Industrial Revolution• 1800s Europe

industrializes, transitions to more manufactured processes.

• New technology and machines allow this transition to happen

• Railroads, factories, assembly lines, etc. all become part of life.

• The 1800s also led to nationalism, belief that people should be loyal to their nation.

• Nation – people who share land, culture, and history

• European nations become rivals and wars become common

WWI

• Nationalistic rivalries led to the first World War also known as the Great War.

WWII• After WWI, the world fell

into the Great Depression.• Many people were in strife

and blame fell on minorities. This led to great atrocities during the Holocaust and World War II.

• After WWII many colonies sought and won independence from their European colonizers.

Ireland

• Ireland in particular was brutal struggle that has lasted centuries. The mostly Catholic Irish opposed being ruled by the Protestant British.

Modern Europe

• In modern times, European countries have grown more ethnically diverse due to immigrants moving there from former colonies.

• There are ongoing cultural clashes in Eastern Europe.

• Northern Europe has grown in outdoor winter sports.