Major Events in Western Europe
Protestant Reformation:
In the 16th century, many people were starting to criticize Catholicism. Martin Luther, a reformer in Germany, openly wrote against practices in the Catholic church such as granting "indulgences." Huldrych Zwingli started the reformation in Switzerland with sermons similar to Martin Luther's. The effects of the Reformation include the rise of many other denominations of Christianity. The Reformation also influenced many democratic movements and a rise of anti-authority attitudes.
In the 16th century, many people were starting to criticize Catholicism. Martin Luther, a reformer in Germany, openly wrote against practices in the Catholic church such as granting "indulgences." Huldrych Zwingli started the reformation in Switzerland with sermons similar to Martin Luther's. The effects of the Reformation include the rise of many other denominations of Christianity. The Reformation also influenced many democratic movements and a rise of anti-authority attitudes.
Renaissance:
The Renaissance is believed to have several causes such as the invention of the printing press, which allowed ideas to be shared quickly. Before the Renaissance, many people died from hunger, disease and war. During the Renaissance, people began to think about self-improvement, education and the rest of the world. As a result, knowledge was spread and many people became educated.
The Renaissance is believed to have several causes such as the invention of the printing press, which allowed ideas to be shared quickly. Before the Renaissance, many people died from hunger, disease and war. During the Renaissance, people began to think about self-improvement, education and the rest of the world. As a result, knowledge was spread and many people became educated.
The painting, "The Creation of Adam" by Michelangelo. Picture from www.history.com
The Enlightenment Movement:
The Enlightenment Movement was caused by the Thirty Years War, a long and bloody war that made German writers criticize the ideas of warfare. Many other Enlightenment thinkers began to question the norms and traditions of society. The French and American Revolutions were based on many ideas from the Enlightenment.
The Enlightenment Movement was caused by the Thirty Years War, a long and bloody war that made German writers criticize the ideas of warfare. Many other Enlightenment thinkers began to question the norms and traditions of society. The French and American Revolutions were based on many ideas from the Enlightenment.
The French Revolution:
The French Revolution began in 1789. The Revolution was caused by a large divide between the wealthy aristocrats and poor common people. Many peasants were starving and they revolted. The Revolution ended the monarchy and King Louis XVI was executed. The revolution ended when Napolean Bonaparte took power. Although the French Revolution did not bring democracy at first, the Revolution instituted elections and a constitution.
The French Revolution began in 1789. The Revolution was caused by a large divide between the wealthy aristocrats and poor common people. Many peasants were starving and they revolted. The Revolution ended the monarchy and King Louis XVI was executed. The revolution ended when Napolean Bonaparte took power. Although the French Revolution did not bring democracy at first, the Revolution instituted elections and a constitution.
Painting of the Tennis Court Oath by Jacques-Louis David. Picture from www.mrallsophistory.com
Industrial Revolution:
The Industrial Revolution started in England and spread to the rest of Europe and North America. The Revolution was sparked by a growing demand for goods and the need for efficient ways of production and transportation. New inventions were introduced to improve life and the production of goods. The Industrial Revolution turned many rural communities urban and industrial. More people left rural farming communities to live and work in cities.
The Industrial Revolution started in England and spread to the rest of Europe and North America. The Revolution was sparked by a growing demand for goods and the need for efficient ways of production and transportation. New inventions were introduced to improve life and the production of goods. The Industrial Revolution turned many rural communities urban and industrial. More people left rural farming communities to live and work in cities.
World War I:
World War I was sparked by assassination of Archduke Ferdinand who was heir to the Austrian throne. This led Austria to declare war on Serbia who was allied to Russia, Great Britain, France, and later America. Austria and Germany were allied. 10 million people died as a result of the war. Countries borders were changed. Germany lost which in turn, plunged them into financial problems and led to the rise of German aggression and Hitler.
World War I was sparked by assassination of Archduke Ferdinand who was heir to the Austrian throne. This led Austria to declare war on Serbia who was allied to Russia, Great Britain, France, and later America. Austria and Germany were allied. 10 million people died as a result of the war. Countries borders were changed. Germany lost which in turn, plunged them into financial problems and led to the rise of German aggression and Hitler.
World War II:
After the first World War, Europe was unstable. Hitler built up the German army and started invading countries which led to World War II. Germany, Italy, and Japan were the Axis powers. They fought against the Allied forces that included France, Russia, and Great Britain,. The allied forces won the war in 1945. After the war, there was a rise of communism in Russia.
After the first World War, Europe was unstable. Hitler built up the German army and started invading countries which led to World War II. Germany, Italy, and Japan were the Axis powers. They fought against the Allied forces that included France, Russia, and Great Britain,. The allied forces won the war in 1945. After the war, there was a rise of communism in Russia.
The Holocaust:
Anti-Semitism was already present in Europe before the Holocaust. The rise of power of Hitler led to widespread fear and anger towards Jews. Hitler and many other people believed that the Jewish people were responsible for Germany's loss in World War I. More than 40,000 concentration camps were established and 6 million people died.
Anti-Semitism was already present in Europe before the Holocaust. The rise of power of Hitler led to widespread fear and anger towards Jews. Hitler and many other people believed that the Jewish people were responsible for Germany's loss in World War I. More than 40,000 concentration camps were established and 6 million people died.
Children in Auschwitz concentration camp.
Photo from www.endgenocide.org
Photo from www.endgenocide.org
The Cold War:
The Cold War was a period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. There was no direct combat between the two countries but they threatened each other with nuclear weapons. The Cold War was caused by the Soviet Union imposing totalitarian rule on territories behind the "Iron Curtain" and by the Americans who threatened to drop an atomic bomb.
The Cold War was a period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. There was no direct combat between the two countries but they threatened each other with nuclear weapons. The Cold War was caused by the Soviet Union imposing totalitarian rule on territories behind the "Iron Curtain" and by the Americans who threatened to drop an atomic bomb.
Great Depression:
The Great Depression was a world wide recession that started in the United States but spread to Western Europe. Caused by the economic collapse in the 1920s. Countries reacted by putting high tariffs on imports to save local jobs but, it made the problem worse. People started to question whether capitalism worked and led to the rise of totalitarian governments. The depression contributed to the rise of Hitler which ultimately led to World War II.
The Great Depression was a world wide recession that started in the United States but spread to Western Europe. Caused by the economic collapse in the 1920s. Countries reacted by putting high tariffs on imports to save local jobs but, it made the problem worse. People started to question whether capitalism worked and led to the rise of totalitarian governments. The depression contributed to the rise of Hitler which ultimately led to World War II.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall:
The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 by the communist government of East Germany to keep East and West Germans separate. There were demonstrations in Soviet-controlled countries such as Poland, Estonia, and Lithuania. The Soviet Union was losing power and did not do anything to stop these demonstrations. This led to the tearing down of the wall in 1989 and East and West Germany were reunited. People were allowed to move freely.
The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 by the communist government of East Germany to keep East and West Germans separate. There were demonstrations in Soviet-controlled countries such as Poland, Estonia, and Lithuania. The Soviet Union was losing power and did not do anything to stop these demonstrations. This led to the tearing down of the wall in 1989 and East and West Germany were reunited. People were allowed to move freely.
People gathering on the Berlin Wall in 1989. Original photo from The Guardian.
Colonial History of Western Europe
France
In the 16th century, New France was founded by the explorer Jacques Cartier. France colonized parts of present day Canada and the United States west of the Appalachian mountains. France also colonized parts of the Caribbean and South America such as present day Haiti and French Guiana.
Germany
Germany started colonizing in the late 19th century. Germany made no profit in colonization because their expenses were greater than the revenue. Germany colonized present-day Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burindi. The German Empire collapsed after World War I.
Belgium
Belgium joined in on finding colonies in the 19th century as well. Belgium colonized present day Democratic Republic of Congo and took over the once German colony of Ruanda-Urundi (present-day Rwanda and Burindi.)
Austria
Austria had an empire that was considered to be one of Europe's great powers but Austria never succeeding in establishing colonies. Austria tried to colonize the Nicobar Islands but it didn't last long.
Luxembourg
From 1795 to 1814, Luxembourg was ruled by France. In 1815, Luxembourg was its own state under the Netherlands rule. Luxembourg gained independence in 1867.
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein was part of the Holy Roman Empire for many centuries. Later, it became part of the German Confederation and gained independence in 1806.
Monaco
In 1215, Monaco was colonized by the Republic of Genoa. It was later annexed by France in 1793. In 1915, Monaco became its own state under France's protection.