Upload
quentin-rice
View
220
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The United Kingdom and the Nordic countries
have seafaring histories that often led to conquest.
The region played a role in developing representative government and industry.
Northern Europe consists of the United Kingdom, Ireland AND the Nordic Countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
Northern Europe
Early Conquerors
Romans conquer Britain’s Celts by A.D. 80 Later, Germanic invaders push Celts north and west Vikings (Group of seafaring warriors from Denmark,
Norway, and Sweden, also called Norsemen) invaded Britain, sailed to Iceland, Greenland, and North America
1066 – William the Conqueror of Normandy conquered England (the largest kingdom in Britain). Defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings. French speaking Normans altered the English language.
A History of Seafaring Conquerors
Britain – Largest Kingdom and Great Empire Denmark, Sweden, and Norway became
kingdoms in 900s – No Nordic country ever became a major empire
England controlled the British Isles – group of islands that include Great Britain, Ireland and over 6,000 smaller islands.
England becomes United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801
Dreams of Empire
Britain’s geographic advantage contributed to
its strength After 1066 Battle of Hastings, no outside
power ever successfully invaded Britain Became a global Empire and by end of 1800s,
had colonies in the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
“The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire”
Dreams of Empire
Representative Government
Parliament – representative lawmaking body whose members are elected or appointed
Britain has Monarchy and Parliament, but rulers slowly lose power King John II, cruel to his subjects, alienated the Church, and
raised taxes – in 1215 he was forced to sign the most celebrated document in English history, the Magna Carta – drawn up by English nobles – guaranteed certain basic political rights.
Magna Carta is considered one of the cornerstones of democratic government Underlying principle – all must obey the law, even the king!! Trial by jury No taxation without representation
Moving into the Modern Age
Iron ore and coal helped Britain to be the first
nation to industrialize Coal – fuel and iron - machinery In the 1800s, the industrial revolution spread
from Britain to other countries (Belgium, France, Germany, and US)
As Britain industrializes, colonies supply materials and buy goods
Of the Nordic countries, Sweden developed the most industry
Industrial Revolution
Great Britain played a major role in both world
wars, fighting as one of the victorious Allies. After WWII, British colonies gain independence
Moving into Modern Age
Protestant English rulers seize Catholic Irish
land and give it to Scottish and English Protestants
Leaves many Irish in poverty 1840s, potato crops failed and caused famine
– killed over a million and over a million Irish fled to other lands
The Irish Question
Irish seek independence, Britain splits country
in 1921 Republic of Ireland (Catholic) became
independent in 1921 Northern Ireland (Protestant) remained part
of United Kingdom, still is today Religious conflict in Northern Ireland leads to
anti-British violence
The Irish Question
Industry and Resources
Sweden and United Kingdom have strong vehicle, aerospace industries Produce paper products, food products, and
pharmaceuticals Sweden has timber, Iceland has fishing,
Norway has North Sea oil
Economics: Diversity and Change
High-Tech
Silicon Glen – section of Scotland between Glasgow and Edinburgh has many high-tech companies (which use silicon computer chips)
Produces 32% of Europe’s personal computers and 51% of Europe’s notebook computers
Economics: Diversity and Change
Union or Independence
All joined European Union except Norway Euro – common currency of Europe (people
have mixed feelings) As of 2000, Norway and Iceland were the only
two Nordic countries that were not members of the European Union
Economics: Diversity and Change
Language
Northern Europe – Germanic Language (When Germanic tribes migrated to the Scandinavian Peninsula and the British Isles, they pushed the previous inhabitants north and west).
Celtic languages – Welsh, Irish found on northern and western edges of British Isles
Religion Because of Reformation – Protestant is dominant
religion Ireland – only one to keep Catholicism as its main
faith
Languages and Religions
People live in cities and have high standard of
living Social Welfare
Finland, Norway, and Sweden give families a yearly allowance to help raise their children
Nordic government fund national health insurance programs
Britain has national health insurance program To pay for these programs, people pay high
taxes
Life in Northern Europe
Customs
British – afternoon tea Swedes – smorgasbord (hot and cold dished
served buffet style) Finns - sauna
Leisure Some winter Olympic sports developed in the
Nordic countries – cross-country skiing and ski jumping
British – horseback riding, fox hunting, rugby, and cricket
Life in Northern Europe