Unit 4 Study Guide

Why can Europe be called a "peninsula of peninsulas"?

Europe itself has many smaller peninsulas

What European islands are located in the North Atlantic? In the Mediterranean?

Great Britain, Ireland, and Greenland; Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, and Crete

How do mountains and uplands affect life in Europe?

Their structure; can be viewed as walls separating groups of people. This "wall" makes it difficult for people, goods, and ideas to move from one place to another. This would also affect the climate of Europe.

Where does the Danube River flow?

through the heart of Europe from west to east.

Why are the rivers of Europe an important aspect of its geography?

plays an important role in the movement of ideas

What is the most important plain in Europe? Why is it important?

European Plain; it stretches in a huge curve across parts of France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, and Poland. For many centuries, this plain has produced vast quantities of food. (invasion route & agriculture)

What resources does Europe have in abundance? Why are they important?

Coal and iron ore; produces steel (heavily industrialized item)

Why do the Irish burn peat?

The result of doing this can be used as fuel

What is the North Atlantic Drift?

a current of warm water from the tropics. This which flows near Europe's west coast

How do the North Atlantic Drift and the prevailing westerlies affect Europe's country?

the prevailing westerlies (which blows west to east; pick up warmth from the current and carry it over Europe). This affects Europe's climate by the carry of moisture, and giving the region adequate rainfall.

What parts of Europe benefit from the Mediterranean climate?

Much of FInland and Sweden, and the eastern parts of Poland, Slovakia, all of Romania, and Hungary have a humid continental climate.

How are the mistral and the sirocco similar? How are they different?

Mistral is a cold, dry wind from the north. The sirocco is a hot, steady south wind that blows from North Africa across the Mediterranean Sea into Southern Europe.

How have the people of the Netherlands been able to create more land for their country?

by using the method Polder (diking and draining)

What is remarkable about the Zuider Zee?

it altered the environment and transformed from salt water to freshwater

Why is water transport so important in Venice?

Grand Canal flows between them. There is only two ways of transportation in Venice walk or talk a boat. There is so much water that Venice takes advantage of the water as a transport.

Why did Venice grow?

Because it is located at the north end of the Adriatic Sea, which is a great site for ports.

What actions have led to deforestation in Europe?

the humans who destroyed and damaged Europe's forests

How much of Europe's forest land has been affected by acid rain?

One-fourth of European's forest

What geographic factors fostered early European civilization?

mild climate and overseas trade (Greece and Rome)

What were the forms of government in ancient Greece and Rome?

Greece: democracy government (government of the people) (Athens started 1st)
Rome: republic government (government which citizens elect representatives to rule in name.

How has ancient Greece shaped modern culture and democracy?

science, philosophy, drama, and art has influenced this

What were the Crusades?

A series of wars to take Palestine from the Muslims (Holy Land)

Why was the Renaissance (rebirth) important culturally?

by the inspiration of classical art and writings; led to new ideas

What effect did Roman conquest have on language?

it evolved Latin to many other languages

How did the division of the Roman Empire affect religion?

Eastern: Eastern Orthadox
Western: Catholicism

How have the Romans influenced modern culture and democracy?

modern art, classical statues, and Renaissance painting.

How was the economy of Mediterranean Europe changed since World War II?

By the poor energy resources and relying on imported petroleum

How has the Membership in the European Union spurred economic growth for some Mediterranean countries?

By the aided growth by promoting trade with other EU nations and by making financial aid from the EU availiable

What caused 25 million Europeans to die in the 1300s?

The Bubonic Plague (Black Plague)

Why are France and Germany the dominant countries of Western Europe?

Because they are the two largest countries, and their access to resource, ports, and trade routes helped them to build productive economies

What is nationalism and how did it affect Western Europe?

It is the belief that people should be loyal to their nation, the people with whom they share land, culture, and history. It affected western Europe by causing groups to want their own country (which led to the rise of modern nation states)

Why was the Reformation significant?

It was a period when many Christians broke away from the Catholic Church and started Protestant churches. It was started by Martin Luther who posted up 95 theories of protestant Churches

What is a nation state?

It is an independent nation of people with common culture

How was Germany divided and then re united?

Because of war, and economic problems

Why is Western Europe's economy so strong?

Because of its industry, agriculture, service industries, and high tech

What artistic legacy are Germany and Austria famous for?

music

Who were some great European composers?

Ludwig Can Beethoven, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

What countries or regions are famed for their painting?

France and the Netherlands

What are cities in Western Europe like?

interesting and pleasant places to live. Most have good public transportation systems. They offer many cultural attractions movies, concerts, art galleries, and museums

The United Kingdom and the Nordic countries have seafaring histories that often led to what?

conquerers

What cultural impact did the British Empire have in many parts of the world?

World literature, representative governments, and industrial revolution

How have Northern European countries advanced representative government?

By developing from Parliament, to Magna Carta, to English Bill of Rights, and finally to Representation government.

What is the main characteristic of governments in Northern Europe?

protected

Where did the Industrial Revolution begin?

Began at Britain and started to Spread to other countries like Belgium, France, Germany, and the United States

How did the Industrial Revolution spur the growth of Britain's empire?

fuel and iron ore to make machinery

What welfare services do the countries of Northern Europe fund?

national health insurance program

How did the Reformation affect religion in Northern Europe?

split Catholic Church

Why is Eastern Europe considered a cultural crossroad?

Because it is a place where various cultures cross paths

How has ethnicity led to turmoil in Eastern Europe?

By responding to centuries of foreign rule

What country set up Communist governments in Eastern Europe after World War II?

Soviet Union (Russia)

How did Communist governments restrict economy development in Eastern Europe?

Closing churches

How has moving toward a market economy been of benefit in Eastern Europe?

By in which industries make goods consumers want to buy. (Most factories in this region became privately owned instead of state owned.)

What effect does the variety of Eastern European languages have on the region?

It makes it difficult to unify the region

What are some important ways that Eastern Europe is different from Western Europe?

Eastern Europe: great cultural diversity because many ethnic groups have settled there
Western Europe: France and Germanic countries developed very different cultures and that these differences and conflicts shaped the history of western Europe.