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 Europe Chapter 13

2. Physical Geography Section 1

3. Physical Features Countries France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, & Austria Benelux countries (Low Countries) Belgium, the Netherlands, & Luxembourg Alpine countries (lie in the Alps mt. range) Switzerland & Austria

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

5. Climate & Waterways Marine west coast climate Mild 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 rivers Deep enough & wide enough to used by ships France: the Seine, the Loire, the Garonne, & the Rhone Rivers Germany: the Rhine, the Danube, the Elbe, the Oder, & the Weser Rivers Important for trade & travel

6. Resources Forests Most cut down centuries ago Fields that remain are very productive Germany’s plains: rich in loess (fine, wind blown soil deposits) Germany & France produce grapes for wines Switzerland: pastures support dairy cattle Mineral resources Iron ore, oil, coal, & natural gas Nuclear power & hydroelectric power supply region w/ energy needs Resources are unevenly distributed throughout region

7. Section 2 France

8. History Been occupied by many European countries Ancient times Part of Gaul Early History 600 B.C. Greeks set up colonies Gaul conquered by the Romans; est. Latin-based lang. that developed into French; rule lasted until A.D. 400 Franks (Germanic people) conquered Gaul Charlemagne was ruler of Franks

9. Dreamed of building Christian empire as great as old Roman Empire A.D. 800 crowned Emperor of Romans Strengthened gov’t & improved education & arts in Europe Empire divided after his death Norsemen Invaded from northern Europe; settled in western France (Normandy)

10. Middle Ages Period from collapse of Roman Empire to 1500 Kings were not very powerful Depended on nobles cooperation 1066 Duke of Normandy conquered England Kings of England also ruled part of France 1300s King of England tried to claim throne of France lead to Hundred Years’ War (1337 to 1453) French armies drove English out of France & French kings slowly increased their power over nobles Roman Catholic church united Europe during this period Cathedrals were built

11. Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris

12. Revolution and Napoleon’s Empire 1500s to 1700s France built global empire Est. colonies in America, Asia, & Africa People of France lived in poverty & had few rights 1789 French Revolution began King was overthrown & elected gov’t est. 1799 Napoleon Bonaparte took power Great military leader & later took title as emperor Conquered most of Europe Built new roads in France, reformed education, est. metric system

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

14. World Wars WWI German army controlled northern & eastern France WWII German army controlled northern & western parts of France 1944 Allies (U.S., British, & Canada) landed in Normandy & push Germans out Two wars in 30 years destroyed France Factories, cities, bridges, railroads, & train stations 1949 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) formed France was founding member Alliance was created to protect western Europe from future attacks

15. Government 1950s & 1960s French colonies in Asia & Africa became independent Other smaller territories around the world remained France Today Republic with parliament & elected president Founding member of European Union (EU) Trying to replace currency The franc & EU currency the euro

16. Culture 85% are Roman Catholic 5%-10% are Muslim Speak French mostly Immigrants from Africa, Caribbean, & Southeast Asia influence French food, clothing, music, & art

17. Customs Mediterranean foods Wheat, olives, cheeses, & garlic Wine is produced in many regions Many festivals celebrated Bastille Day (July 14) 1789 a mob stormed the Bastille, a royal prison in Paris; recognized as start of French Revolution

18. The Arts & Literature Great tradition of poetry, philosophy, music, & visual arts Late 1800s & early 1900s Center of impressionism (capture the rippling of light rather than an exact, realistic image

19. France Today Major agricultural & industrial country Resources, labor force, & location help spur economic growth Exports Wheat, olives, wine, & cheeses Factories: cars, airplanes, shoes, clothing, machinery, & chemicals Major cities linked by high-speed trains & excellent highways

21. Section 3 Germany

22. History Germans Descendants of tribe from northern Europe Conquered by Romans Land named Germania

23. Growth of a Nation Small cities states developed region Ruled by princes& with help of Roman Catholic Church became part of Holy Roman Empire Prussia 1871- United German city states into one nation Developed into industrial and military world power

24. War and Division 1914-1918 Fought and lost WWI War damages and depression hurt economy 1920s Adolf Hitler led Nazis in Germany 1933 Nazis took power & invaded Austria, Czechoslovakia, & Poland and started WWII 1942 Germany & Italy had conquered most of Europe

25. Concentration camps Were people were forced to from occupied countries Were enslaved or killed 6 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 1945 Germany 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 government 1961 Berlin Wall was built to stop East Germans from escaping to the West

28. Reunification & Modern Government West Germany Roads, cities, railroads, & industries rebuilt after the war w/ U.S. financial aid Free enterprise economy East Germany Rebuilt but was less prosperous Gov’t allowed little freedom Command economy was less productive 1980s East Germans demanded for democratic reform 1989 Berlin Wall was torn down 1990 East & West Germany reunited Today Democratic rights Parliament elects president & prime minister (chancellor) Member of EU & NATO

29. Culture 34% are Roman Catholic 38% Protestant Diversity 90% are ethnic Germans Turks, Poles, & Italians live & work in Germany “guest workers” do not have citizenship Thousands of refugees from Easter Europe in last 50 years

30. Customs Food emphasizes products of the forests, farms, & seasons Sausage, cheese, wine, & beer Celebrations Oktoberfest, Sangerfast, & Fastnacht Christmas is major festival

31. The Arts & Literature Johannes Gutenberg 1st European to print books using movable metal type 1700s & 1800s Germany led Europe in development of classical music Ludwig van Beethoven Richard Wager operas of folktales of ancient Germany

32. Germany Today Federal Republic Parliament chooses chancellor (prime minister) Also elects president (ceremonial duties) Belongs to EU and NATO Europe’s largest economy 1/5 of all good and services in EU Based on industry (chemicals, engineering, and steel) Major crops Grain, potatoes, and grapes

33. The Alpine Countries

34. Names after Alps Draw tourists Both landlocked Influenced by German culture General Background Info.

35. Austria Home to Habsburgs (powerful family of German nobles) At their height of power they ruled Spain, Netherlands, areas of Germany, eastern Europe, & Italy On losing side of WWI Became republic after war Today modern industrialized nation Member of EU Speak German Prosperous economy Little unemployment

36. Switzerland Independent since 1600s Swiss Cantons (26 districts) each controls own affairs; national gov’t handles defense & international relations Location in high Alps has allowed it to remain neutral in European wars Not a member of EU or NATO 2002 joined UN (United Nations) Language German, French, Italian, and Romansh World’s highest standards of living Famous for banks, watches, chocolate and cheese

37. Culture Switzerland 46% is Roman Catholic 40% Protestant Austria Mainly Roman Catholic 5% Protestant 17% follow Islam

38. Languages & Diversity Switzerland 64% speak German 18% speak French 10% speak Italian Southeast speak Romansh Other European languages Austria German speaking Small minorities of Slovenes & Croatians

39. Customs Christmas is a major festival Rural Switzerland Take cattle up to high mts. in late spring & return in the fall Big celebration when they return Alpine region Well known for its music Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

40. The Alpine Countries Today Both produce dairy products Switzerland Manufactures watches, optical instruments, & other machinery Chemists discovered how to make chocolate bars Major producer, but has to import cocoa beans Alpine countries linked by highways, trains, & airports Tourists are attracted by mountain scenery, lakes, & ski slopes

41. Section 4 The Benelux Countries

42. Once inhabited by Celtic & Germanic tribes Were conquered by the Romans Charlemagne ruled area after fall of Roman Empire Region was ruled by various French rulers & by the Holy Roman emperor after Charlemagne 1555 King Philip II of Spain was given Low Countries 1570s Protestants in the Netherlands won freedom from Spanish rule Netherlands became a great naval & colonial power 1830 Belgium became an independent kingdom History

43. Scarred region Many WWI battles took place in Belgium WWII Germany occupied Low Countries 1949 Belgium, Netherlands, & Luxembourg were founding members of NATO Later joined EU Today Ruled by parliament & monarch Monarch duties are mostly ceremonial Netherlands controls several Caribbean islands World Wars

44. Religion Roman Catholic, Protestant, & those w/ no religious ties Language Dutch is spoken in the Netherlands Flemish is spoken in Flanders, the northern part of Belgium French is spoken in other parts of Belgium Benelux countries are also home to immigrants from Asia & Africa Culture

45. Diary products, fish, & sausage Spices from Southeast Asia are used in many Dutch dishes Belgians claim to have invented French fries, which they eat w/ mayonnaise Food

46. Netherlands & Belgium are world leaders in fine arts Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt & Jan Vermeer Arts

48. Netherlands Famous for flowers Export: cheeses, Chocolate, & cocoa imports/refines: oil Belgium Known for diamond-cutting centers Brussels is headquarters of EU & Nato Luxembourg Important banking services Produces: steel, chemicals, and machines International businesses & governments The Benelux Countries Today

50. Section 5 The Alpine Countries

51. History Austria & Switzerland Celtic Occupation Roman & Germanic invasion Ruled by Holy Roman Empire

52. Switzerland Swiss Cantons (districts) Broke away from Holy Roman Empire 1600s became Independent Today 26 cantons; each controls own affairs; national gov’t handles defense & international relations Location in high Alps has allowed it to remain neutral in European wars Not a member of EU or NATO 2002 joined UN (United Nations)

53. Austria Home to Habsburgs (powerful family of German nobles) 1400s on Holy Roman emperor was always a Habsburg At their height of power they ruled Spain, Netherlands, areas of Germany, eastern Europe, & Italy Empire was ethnically diverse & united only by allegiance to emperor & Roman Catholic religion Austria Empire replaced Holy Roman Empire, also under Habsburg control Nationalism (demand for self-rule)developed within empire 1867 Austrians & Hungarians agreed to share political power Became Austro-Hungarian Empire, but dissolved after WWI Germany occupied Austria during WWII Allies occupied Austria after WWII Today Independent member of EU

54. Culture Switzerland 46% is Roman Catholic 40% Protestant Austria Mainly Roman Catholic 5% Protestant 17% follow Islam

55. Languages & Diversity Switzerland 64% speak German 18% speak French 10% speak Italian Southeast speak Romansh Other European languages Austria German speaking Small minorities of Slovenes & Croatians

56. Customs Christmas is a major festival Rural Switzerland Take cattle up to high mts. in late spring & return in the fall Big celebration when they return Alpine region Well known for its music Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

57. The Alpine Countries Today Both produce dairy products Switzerland Manufactures watches, optical instruments, & other machinery Chemists discovered how to make chocolate bars Major producer, but has to import cocoa beans Alpine countries linked by highways, trains, & airports Tourists are attracted by mountain scenery, lakes, & ski slopes