European Culture
Overview
Why should we study history?
History is a
subject with
no future.
Right?
“Those who do not remember the past
are condemned to repeat it.”
George Santayana (1863 – 1952)
History Helps Us Understand:
•
People and Societies (i.e. the world we live in)
•
How Today’s Society Evolved from the Past
History:
•
Contributes to Moral Understanding
•
Provides Identity
Studying History is Essential for Good Citizenship
What Skills does a Student of History Develop?
The Ability to:
•
Analyze and Evaluate Evidence
•
Judge Conflicting Interpretations
•
Experience in Assessing Past Examples of Change
Previous two slides are adapted from Why Study History, by Peter M.
Stearns, http://www.historians.org/pubs/free/WhyStudyHistory.htm
Why should we study European history?
I didn’t realize
that it affected
so much of the
world!
Why should we study European history?
• It has significant impacts on political, religious,
economic, and social aspects of the world.
• Consequently, it is crucial to understanding the
contemporary world.
• Since English is part of the Indo-European
Language tree, you may gain some insight into
English words and expressions through studying
European history and culture.
Where is Europe?
•
Europe is one of the seven continents.
•
Europe is part of the same land mass as Asia,
so some people say it’s not really a continent.
•
The Ural mountains in Russia form the main
border between Europe and Asia.
•
In the Mediterranean region, the Turkish city of
Istanbul is considered the border between
Europe and Asia.
The Themes of European History
Usually, we talk about themes in the context of
literature or art.
But history can have themes, too – over-arching
ideas, motifs or threads that weave their way
back and forth through time.
These themes show connections, helping us
understand why things happened in the course
of European history.
Geography
The history of a country is closely connected to its
geography.
• Position relative to neighboring countries
• Topography (physical features of the land)
• Seacoast / Location of Major Rivers
• Natural Resources
• Climate
Geography
What do you know about the geography of Russia?
Because of its extremely bitter winter temperatures,
Russia was able to defeat French invaders in 1812
and German invaders in 1941.
Geography
What do you know about the geography of
Germany?
Germany is in the center of Europe almost
completely surrounded by other nations. This can
make it vulnerable to attack, but also in a strategic
position to attack others.
Geography
What do you know about the geography of England
/ The United Kingdom?
Because it is detached from the continent, it was
never invaded during the early modern period. Not
until fighter planes were developed in the 20th
Century did Britain become vulnerable.
War
The desire for territorial expansion often leads to
war.
Sometimes expansion is for the purpose of
acquiring more natural resources, controlling
trade routes, or securing borders.
“Might Makes Right” – the nations with the strongest
military and best weapons almost always win.
Balance of Power
When one nation becomes too dominant, the others
unite to put down the aggressor.
19th Century France under Napoleon tried to
conquer Europe but failed when other nations
banded together.
20th Century Germany under Adolph Hitler tried to
create an empire but was crushed.
Religion
Religion is a powerful force than can either unite or
divide people.
• The Catholic Church
• The Crusades
• The Reformation
Rank / Class
Throughout most of European history, social class
was an important factor in deciding the quality of
a person’s life.
The rise of literacy and improved educational
systems gave people more opportunities for a
good life.
Themes
Geography
War
Balance of Power
Religion
Rank / Class