2. As Europe moves toward economic and
political unity, it’s facing lingering ethnic
tensions, nationalism, and environmental
crises.
3.
4. Europe has a long
history of conflict and
crisis
After World War II
(1939–1945) European
nations hope to:
- rebuild their economies
- prevent new conflicts
Unifying Europe is one
way to achieve these
goals
5. The European Economic
Community is formed in
1957 (later called the
European Community or
EC)
- removes trade barriers,
sets common economic goals
- people can live and work in
any member countries
Nations depend on one
another are more likely
to work together than
start conflict.
6. In 1993, the EC is
replaced with the
European Union.
-Originally 15
member countries
The European Union
promotes the use of
a common currency
known as the euro.
7. Some people feel that the
European Union is not such a
good idea.
- Believe that people will
start moving to countries
with higher wages
- too much economic control,
much like communism
- use of a common currency
means loss of national
identity for many countries
Others feel euro increases
business efficiency,
international trade
8. While starting with just 15
member countries, the
European Union now consists
of 27 member states
- over 500 million people fall
under the EU alliance
Currently, many countries
have applied to be added and
plans for expansion will
Member States
continue
To join the European Union, a Candidates for Membership
state needs to fulfill economic Possible Candidates
and political conditions
9.
10. Following WWII, differing
political and economic
philosophies led to tension
between Eastern and Western
European countries.
Communist Russia and it’s
Eastern European allies
separate themselves from
countries influenced by
“Western Ideas” (U.S., France,
Great Britain, etc.)
The divide between the two is
nicknamed “The Iron Curtain”
11.
12. Not only is the continent
divided, Germany is split
into two different
countries.
East Germany is influenced
by the USSR and the
government is communist.
West Germany is
influenced by the US,
France and the UK and
their government is a
democracy.
13. The capital of
Berlin is split as
well.
East Germany
builds a wall to
maintain the
separation
between the two
and keeps West
Berlin citizens
confined within.
Crossing over is
strictly forbidden.
14.
15. After much protest in
the 1980’s and urges
from other political
leaders such as
President Reagan in
1987, East Germany
agrees to bring down
the wall.
On November 9th, “Mr. Gorbechev, tear down this wall!”
1989 demolition of
the wall commenced.
16.
17.
18.
19. The Balkan conflict stems from many
different groups wanting the same
land.
Many ethnic groups inhabit the Balkans.
The Slavs immigrated from Russia and
Poland in the 500’s
In the 1300’s, the Ottoman Empire
conquers the Balkans.
Many Slavs are Christian and/or Jewish
and the Ottomans are Muslim.
Christians, Jews and Muslims now
occupy the same land. This causes
Traditional Slavs
ethnic tension.
20. Serbia does not like
being under foreign
rule.
The Serbians want a
free Slavic Kingdom.
They break away
from the Ottoman
Empire in 1878 and
their actions lead to
the breakout of WWI.
21. In 1929, the country of
Yugoslavia is formed.
Yugoslavia literally
translates to “Land of the
Slavs”.
The country includes
Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Serbia,
Montenegro, Kosovo and
Macedonia.
Land is united, but still
ethnically mixed.
22. Yugoslavia is invaded by the
Nazis and Italians during
WWII.
The Croatians help the Nazis
hunt down and massacre
Jews and Serbians
Following the war, Josip Broz
Tito rules Yugoslavia
He encourages all groups to
see themselves as Yugoslavs
23. Tito dies in 1980 and
Yugoslavia has no single,
central ruler
Slobodan Milosevic —
Serbian who sought to
control Yugoslavia in 1990s
Milosevic proposes creation
of Greater Serbia
- wants to expand borders to
include all areas with Serbian
populations; Croatia has large
Serbian minority
24. Serbia blocks
Croatian from
becoming Yugoslav
president in 1991
In response, Slovenia
and Croatia declare
independence from
Yugoslavia
Serbian-led Yugoslav
army invades Slovenia
and Croatia
25. Serbians want to get rid
of Bosnian Muslims,
Croatians
Serbs use ethnic
cleansing — violent
elimination of an ethnic
group
Over 200,000 people
die, over 2 million flee
area
A treaty was signed in
1995 but the region
remained unstable.
26. In 1998, a region of Serbia
known as Kosovo became under
fire.
Kosovo had many Albanians
who speak a different language
than the Serbians and were
also predominately Muslim.
The Serbians, led by Milosevic,
tried to take control of Kosovo
and wipe out it’s Albanian
culture.
The Serbians once again, used
ethnic cleansing.
27. In 1999, NATO
intervenes and
causes Serbia to
withdraw from
Kosovo.
When the Serbs
leave, international
officials discover
horrifying evidence
of Serbian atrocities.
28.
29. The movie Behind
Enemy Lines is a
film centered on the
story of an American
naval flight officer
who was shot down
over Bosnia, who
ends up uncovering
a massacre during
the Balkan conflicts.
30.
31. In 2001, Slobodon
Milosevic was arrested
by Yugoslav
authorities.
He was charged with
war crimes and crimes
against humanity in
connection with
Bosnia and Kosovo.
He died of a heart
attack in 2006 in the
midst of his trial.
32.
33. In 1801, Ireland became an official part
of the United Kingdom.
However, in 1921 they declared
independence and fought the British in
a small war.
The British recognized Ireland’s
independence; however, parts of
Northern Ireland remained part of the
UK.
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) is a
revolutionary, military organization
formed to oppose British occupation in
Ireland.
Today, Northern Ireland is still a topic
of controversy, especially with the IRA.
34.
35. The IRA has since split into
several smaller groups but
still operates today.
Since they are an unofficial
army/militia, many people
consider the IRA a terrorist
group.
Recent actions taken by the
IRA include;
- setting off several bombs in 1972
- the assassination of Queen Elizabeth’s
uncle in 1979
- a car bomb in 1998 that killed 29
people
- setting off car bombs outside the BBC
36. One incident that sparked
controversy was “Bloody
Sunday” in 1972.
Many people gathered in
protest for an independent
Ireland in the city of Derry,
Northern Ireland.
The British Army was called
in for crowd control.
They opened fire, killing 14
people and injuring 26.
- 7 of the deceased were
teenagers