Europe
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Big Idea: Complexity
Complexity of shape, geology, terrain, and resources played major roles in the history and development of Europe.
After centuries of divisive wars and realignments, the European Union is an attempt at combining many individual cultures and politics
PPT
Slides 1-14: Europe is
made up of many
peninsulas
Slides 15-21: Geology of
Europe and its effects
Slides 22-28: Mountains
provide protection
Slides 29-34: Small
countries needed to
expand for resources
Slides 35—39: Geology
advantages during the
Industrial Revolution
Slides 40-53: The ability to
survive as small countries
may be one reason for
long-term competition
and hostility in Europe
Slides 54-55: Europe today
Clickable PDF
Land Color
PENINSULAS
Volcanoes
Metal ores
ROMAN EMPIRE
TERRAIN
Vikings in 750 CE
Vikings in 850 CE
Vikings in 950 CE
Vikings in 1050
TERRAIN
PORT CITIES
Metal ores
Coal deposits
Industrial areas
Major Battles
Battle Names
Poland c1000 CE
Poland c1570 CE
Poland c1938 CE
Poland c1946 CE
Teacher Notes/Questions
Objectives: The student will be able to:
What are some of the different peninsulas making up
the “continent” of Europe?
How does being a peninsula make attack more
difficult?
What is significant about the many miles of coastline
in Europe?
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Volcanoes, a result of crustal collisions, caused the
existence of metal ores.
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How do mountains protect groups of people?
What are some examples from history where
mountains were a barrier?
What geographic characteristic of Scandinavia helped
the Vikings to become raiders in Europe?
What did Europe get from China that made overseas
exploration possible?
Why did so many countries send explorers to claim
lands on other continents?
Review: What geologic force is responsible for the
valuable metal ores in Europe?
What energy resource is found in many areas of
Europe?
NOTE: add country borders to slide 39 to see which
countries might have resource advantages
Rivalries between countries caused many wars and
battles throughout history, which were complicated
by the terrain.
Poland is an example of the vulnerability of land
without mountains to protect it.
What is the challenge for the success of the European
Union?
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List some differences between Europe and
other areas considered “continents”
Name the major peninsulas located on the
“subcontinent” of Europe
Describe some advantages of having so
many miles of coastlines in Europe
Describe where volcanoes are located and
explain an advantage they gave Europe
List some metal ores found in Europe
Name and locate several mountain ranges in
Europe
Explain how mountains can be a protection
Describe areas raided by Vikings
List the major countries in Europe that sent
explorers to claim land on other continents
Explain one reason the Vikings and other
groups of Europeans wanted to raid and
colonize other lands
Describe the geologic force responsible for
the formation of the valuable metal ores in
Europe
List the resources of Europe that helped
Europe lead the Industrial Revolution
Explain why there were so many battles
between countries in Europe throughout
history
Use the example of Poland’s history to
describe one disadvantage of the lack of
mountains.
Describe some difficulties in trying to
combine the many countries of Europe