http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/flags/rs-flag.html

Greek & Roman Influence• Modern day ideas about

democracy & republican government come from ancient govt of Greece & Rome.

• Romans govt = republic

The Silk Road• Trade routes connecting Asia

with the Europe by land & sea.

• Items Traded: Satin, Hemp, fabrics (textiles), musk, perfumes, spices, medicines, jewels, glassware, medicines, wines, carpets, slaves.

The Silk Road

Black Plague• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blackdeath2.gif• The Black Death originated in/near China. Spread by way of the Silk

Road or ship. • killed (an estimated) 30-60% of the world population. • Peaked in the mid 1300’s, left around 500 years later. • Left Europe in the 19th century. • Led to a series of religious, social and economic upheavals – had

profound effects on the course of European history.

Renaissance & Reformation 14th-17th Century

• Roman & Greek civilization “reborn”, beginning in Italy

• Gains in literature, art, philosophy, politics, & historical thought

• Renaissance individualism – personal credit, not crediting God

• Protestant Reformation led to religious wars, remaking Europe into unified nations

• Invention of the Gutenberg printing press in the mid-15th century (Johannes Gutenberg) helped spread education & trends throughout Europe

The Industrial Revolution 18th & 19th Century

• Fundamental changes in agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, as well as economic & social structures

• Began in England & spread • Helped feed larger populations

= adequate work force; prepared the way for economic & industrial expansion

United Nations founded 1945Committed to maintaining international peace and security,

developing friendly relations among nations & promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.

4 main purposes: 1. Keep peace2. Develop friendly relations among nations3. Improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease

and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms;

4. Center for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals.

The Berlin Wall (1961-1989)• After WWII, Germany was divided

among the victors: East – USSR & West – England, France & the USA

• E. Germany, suffered extreme financial & social consequences of losing to the Russians

• Russia built a wall diving East Berlin from the West to prevent escaping

• The wall came down & Germany was reunited in 1989 (Nov 9 = 9/11)

Brandenburg Gate: Main Brandenburg Gate: Main gate, travel was tightly gate, travel was tightly

restricted. restricted.

The Fall (breakup…collapse) of the USSR

• 1990-1991 anti-Soviet (anti-Communist) coup,due primarily to the ethnic differences within this enormous country• The USSR disintegrated into 15 separate countries in E. Europe• Ended the Cold War between the US & USSR (40+ years)• The West saw it as a victory for freedom, a triumph of democracy,

& evidence of the superiority of capitalism over socialism• Transformed the entire world political situation

The Former Soviet Union

European CountriesPlease write these in the appropriate columns in your

graphic organizer North/ West Europe

(11)Central Europe

(11)Southern Europe/Balkans

(16)

IrelandUKFranceSwedenFinlandDenmarkThe NetherlandsBelgiumLuxembourgIcelandMonaco

GermanyCzech RepublicPolandEstoniaLatviaLithuaniaAustriaSwitzerlandHungarySlovakiaLiechenstein

SpainPortugalItalyVatican CitySan MarinoAndorraSloveniaCroatiaBosnia HerzegoviniaSerbiaMontenegroGreeceAlbaniaBulgariaRomaniaRussia