Cultural Diversity in
Europe
6th Grade Social Studies
SS6G11 a, c
Causes of Cultural Diversity
1. Small, independent countries
•
What kinds of problems do you think this
could cause?
All of Europe is not much bigger
than the United States!!!
• Compare sizes
1100 AD
AD 1200
AD 1300
AD 1400
AD 1500
AD 1600
AD 1700
AD 1800
AD 1900
AD 2000
Causes of Cultural Diversity
1. Small,
independent
countries
a) Trade: every
country looks out
for itself
• Tariffs, trade
through different
countries
Causes of Cultural Diversity
1. Small,
independent
countries
b) Currency: many
different types of
money
• Ex: Mark, Ruble,
Franc, Pound
Causes of Cultural Diversity
2. Many distinct, separate
cultures
• This is because of different:
a) Languages
b) Customs
c) Religions
Europe’s Many Languages
There are at least 200 different languages
in Europe!
Imagine Europe’s size—it’s about 4 million
square miles, or about ½ the size of the
United States (9,629,881 sq. miles).
How do you think speaking so many
languages in such a small area affects
Europeans?
In the United States
English is the one
dominant language.
In Europe
there are
over two
hundred
native
languages.
All of Europe is not much bigger
than the United States!!!
• Compare sizes
Imagine driving from Winder to South
Carolina, Florida, Alabama, or
Tennessee, and having to speak a
different language in each of those
states.
Would that be frustrating?
What are possible solutions to this
problem?
English: A
Standard
Language
Common languages and bilingual,
trilingual, etc…
English, along with other common
languages such as French or German, is
used because it is necessary for
communication. However, only the
United Kingdom claims English as their
home language. Other Europeans take
pride in their own languages.
GreenGermanic
languages
BeigeRomance
languages
OrangeSlavic
languages
Germany:Language
The official language of
Germany and Austria
is German.
- Germanic Language
Follow the link to
here a song sung in
German!!
http://genkienglish.
net/learntospeakger
man/hallowiegehts.
htm
Germany: Literacy Rate
• The literacy rate in Germany is 99-100%
•Students in Germany
must attend school
through the 9th grade.
After that students
either go to a trade
school or keep attending
public school until the
13th grade if they want
to go to college. ( roughly
18 years old)
Oktoberfest
•Bavaria – the old name of Germany. The culture of Germany and
the high Alps region is called Bavarian Culture.
•“Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival held each year in Munich, Germany,
(Bavaria), running from late September to early October. It is one of the
most famous events in Germany and the world's largest fair, with some six
million people attending every year. The Oktoberfest is an important part
of Bavarian culture”- Definition from Wikipedia.com
•Children dressed in
tradition Bavarian Dress
•Yodeling is traditional form of
music commonly found at
Oktoberfest.
•Wurstl- tradition
Bavarian Sausage
Country
Literacy Rate
Language
Customs
Germany
99-100%
German
(Germanic
Language)
Oktoberfest
Bavarian Culture in
the Mountains
Russia: Language
Russian is a Slavic Language
Between 145-160 million speak Russian
( based on 2008 estimation)
A Russian Proverb
Руководитель без народа, что цветок без солнца
Translation: A ruler without a nation is like a flower
without the sun
RUSSIA: Literacy Rate
Russia’s Literacy rate is
99-100%
Russia has a free education system
guaranteed to all citizens by the
Constitution and has a literacy rate
of 99.4%.Entry to higher education
is highly competitive. As a result of
great emphasis on science and
technology in education, Russian Follow link to here the Russian alphabet
medical, mathematical, scientific,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_alphabet
and space and aviation research is
generally of a high order- from
Wikipedia.com
RUSSIA: Customs and Traditions
Ballet is a highly prized art form in Russia
Moscow Ballet Theatre
"The Crown Of Russian
Ballet-Swan Lake“
http://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=32HHxwFIp
Hg
RUSSIA: Customs and Traditions
One tradition in Russia is to eat milk pudding
and cheesecake on Christmas.
Cheesecake
Milk Pudding
Country
Literacy Rate
Language
Customs
Germany
99-100%
German
(Germanic
Language)
Oktoberfest
Russia
99-100%
Russian
(Slavic Language)
Bavarian Culture in the
Mountains
Ballet originated in
Russia
France: Language
-French is the official language of France
-French is one of the Romance Languages
Je t'aime (Lara Fabian) - cover
by Gisella
http://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=yAyQzJFFG90
France: Literacy Rate
The Literacy rate
in France is 99%
Children in France
must go to school
until they are 16
years old.
France: Customs and Traditions
Bastille Day
“Liberté, égalité, fraternité”- Liberty, Equlaity, Fratinity ( motto of the French Revolution &
France)
The Bastille is a medieval fortress and prison in Paris. Many people in France
associated it with the harsh rule of the Bourbon monarchy in the late 1700s. On July
14, 1789, troops stormed the Bastille. This was a pivotal event at the beginning of
the French Revolution. Fête de la Fédération was held on July 14, 1790. This was a
way to celebrate the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in France.
Country
Literacy Rate
Language
Customs
Germany
99-100%
German
(Germanic
Language)
Oktoberfest
Bavarian Culture in
the Mountains
Russia
99-100%
Russian
(Slavic Language)
Ballet originated in
Russia
France
99%
French
Bastille Day- July 14.
Ended the Monarchy
in France.
(Romantic
Language)
Italy: Language
- Italian is the official
language of Italy
- Italian is one of the
Romance languages.
Follow the link to hear some
phrases in Italian
http://www.bbc.co.uk/langu
ages/italian/guide/phrases.s
html
How to say hello in Italian:
Ciao an informal term for
Hello. It can also be used for
Goodbye.
Italy: Literacy Rate
• The literacy rate in Italy is 98%
• Children in Italy go to school from age
6-15.
Italy: Customs &
Traditions
• Christmas & Easter are major holidays.
• Italy is the home to the head of the Roman
Catholic Church. The Pope lives in Vatican
City in Rome.
Italy: Traditions
Opera
A very popular form of performing arts that originated
in Italy.
Follow the link to see an Opera
performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=RxKjDUrmecA&feature=relat
ed
Clip from Phantom of the Opera
copyrighted 2004 by Odyssey
Entertainment.
Country
Literacy Rate
Language
Customs
Italy
98%
Italian
(Romantic
Language)
Opera
United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Language
English is the official Language of the United
Kingdom. It is a Germanic Language. Other
Languages commonly spoke in the UK are
Gaelic (Irish), Celtic (Scottish), and Welsh
(Wales)
United Kingdom: Literacy Rate
The Literacy Rate is 99%.
•The UK is home to some very famous and
old university's such as Oxford (England),
Cambridge (England), & St. Andrews
(Scotland).
United Kingdom: Traditions
The United Kingdom has been steeped in traditions and customs
for centuries. Some of the unique celebrations are the Highland
Games (Scotland), Guy Fawkes Day (England), Boxing Day
(England), and Cheese Rolling (England).
Highland Games
• Highland games are events held
throughout the year in Scotland
and other countries as a way of
celebrating Scottish and Celtic
culture and heritage, especially
that of the Scottish Highlands.
Certain aspects of the games are
so well known as to have become
emblematic of Scotland, such as
the bagpipes, the kilt, and the
heavy events, especially the
caber toss. While centred on
competitions in piping and
drumming, dancing, and Scottish
heavy athletics, the games also
include entertainment and
exhibits related to other aspects
of Scottish and Gaelic culture.
United Kingdom: Customs
In England afternoon tea is a custom that has
carried on for centuries. Traditionally at four
o’clock every afternoon, afternoon tea is served
hot with small pastries or sandwich's.
Country
Literacy Rate
Language
Customs
Italy
98%
Italian
(Romantic Language)
Opera
United
Kingdom
99%
English (Germanic
Language)
Afternoon Tea
Also Welsh, Celtic, &
Gaelic in other parts.
The End
La Fin- French
Ende- German
το τέλος (to télos)- Greek
В конце (V kontse)- Russian
alla fine- Italian
Italy
 Official Language: Italian
Ciao!
Buongiorno!
Grazie!
Arrivederci!
France
 Official Language: French
Oui...Yes
Non…No
Merci…Thank You
Bonjour…Hello
Au revoir…Goodbye
Excusez-moi…Excuse me
Russia
 Official Language: Russian
Dobro požalovat‘…Welcome
Kak dela…How are you?
Dobroe utro…Good Morning
Do svidanija…Goodbye
Major Religions in Europe
• Christianity
• Judaism
• Islam
Judaism (oldest religion)
• 15 million Followers (Jews)
• Basic beliefs: Monotheistic: Obey God's commandments, live
ethically. Focus is more on this life than the next. Synagogue
services on Saturdays. No pork or other non-kosher foods.
Views Jesus as a false messiah.
• Founder: Abraham--patriarch of their faith (about 2000 BC)
• Holy book: Torah and Talmud
• House of Worship: Synagogue
• Holy Days:
– Rosh Hashanah
• Jewish New Year’s Day
– Yom Kippur
• Day of Atonement
Christianity
• 2.1 Billion Followers (Christians)
• Basic beliefs: Monotheistic: Based on the teachings of Jesus,
love of God and neighbor, a regard for justice, and belief that
Jesus is the Son of God, prayer, Bible study, communion,
church attendance
• Founder: Jesus Christ (Abraham patriarch of their faith(about
30 AD)
• Holy book: Bible
• House of Worship: Church
• Holy Days:
– Christmas
• Birth of Christ
– Easter
• Resurrection of Christ
Islam
• 1.3 Billion Followers (Muslims)
• Basic beliefs: Monotheistic: prayer, giving to charity, belief in
and submission to Allah, fasting during Ramadan, a trip to
Mecca once during your lifetime. Views Jesus as a Prophet.
• Founder: Muhammad Abraham--patriarch of their faith(about
1610 AD)
• Holy book: Koran
• House of Worship: Mosque
• Holy Days:
– Eid ul Fitr
• Ends Ramadan (a month of fasting)
– Eid ul Adha
• Marks the end of the holy pilgrimage
The Literacy rate and
standard of living
• The ability to read and write
• Usually found in develop or industrialized
countries
• Standard of living is high
• Increase wealth of countries allows them to
provide better education, healthcare, access to
technology
• DEVELOPING COUNTRIES or Third world
countries:
• Not much industry; depend on farming for most
of wealth
•
•
•
•
Fewer people read and write
Education health care and jobs not easily available
may be restricted to allow boys
Lower paying jobs, countries are poor, people are
uneducated
• Difficult to pay for education when little money for
food
• Russia is different: high literacy rate; low GDP (total
value of goods and services produced in a country
in one year)
• Always required education: poverty declining and
Russia’s economy is growing
Literacy rate and per capita GDP
Country
Literacy Rate
GDP per person
United Kingdom
99%
35,100
France
99%
33,000
Russia
99%
14,700
Germany
99%
33,200
Italy
98%
30,400
Write the letter of the correct answer on your
paper:
1. How are the languages of French
and Italian similar?
A. The two countries are close to each other.
B. Both languages are Romance Languages.
C. They share roots of Germanic languages.
2. Which major European language
origin has the largest number of
speakers?
A. Germanic
B. Romance
C. Slavic
3. What have Europeans done to solve the
problems presented by so many different
languages?
A. They do not trade with people who do
not speak the same language.
B. Made laws that proclaim English is the
only official language of the EU.
C. Require students in school to learn at
least two languages.
4. Which language(s) come from the
ancient Roman Empire?
A. English and Dutch
B. Russian and Polish
C. Latin
D. French, Italian, Spanish
Write the correct answer on your paper.
5. What is the oldest of the three main
European religions?
6. Which religion is growing the fastest?
7. Name a way all three religions are similar.
8. Match the texts and the religions correctly:
Religions= Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Texts= Bible, Koran, Torah & Talmud