A Beginner’s Guide to Western Europe History
When describing Western Europe history, we must not overlook the Middle Ages. Between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance, Europe has seen a great deal of violence and conflict. Europe was dominated by Catholics for most of the century, while Protestants dominated the south and Dutch and Swiss peoples ruled the north. The Europeans were a pioneer in intellectual, social, and economic endeavor, and were even responsible for exporting nationalism and weaponry throughout the world. Nonetheless, as Europeans developed into nation-states, they almost came very close to destroying themselves in the 20th century. World War I and World War II cost eight million European lives, and many more in other regions.
While Western European nations have distinct identities, many of them are rich in agricultural traditions. The Roman Empire conquered Celtic tribes in France in 50 B.C. and eventually created the Latin language. The Romans never fully conquered Germanic tribes, and their language is still used today in areas east of France. Many cities are centered on industry, while rural areas are dominated by tourism and agriculture. Western Europe’s diverse economies are largely based on agriculture, high-tech, and service industries.
The changing political landscape in Western Europe had an impact on U.S.-Western European relations. During the Cold War, communist parties in Western Europe broke away from Moscow, developed closer ties with national systems, and even entered ruling coalition governments. These changes changed how the United States worked with European policymakers. Since communist parties in Western Europe became more independent from Moscow, the United States and the European Union began working with non-communist politicians and groups instead.
In this Western Europe history essay, you will discuss the causes of societal unrest prior to the French revolution. You’ll also explore the enlightenment era and the rise of the state system in Western Europe. For further information, check out Scales, L.E. (2007). These are just a few examples of how the past has shaped the present. You’ll discover the great influence of Western Europe today, and how it contributed to modern economies.
Since the middle of the 18th century, industrialization in Britain was picking up pace. Steam power applied to mechanical devices was a major boost. Large industrial towns were sprouting in the north, Midlands, and Scotland, producing vast quantities of manufactured goods. Today, industrial towns and cities across Europe are a part of Western Europe history. A rich, modern, and prosperous West developed from this period. Once these new developments occurred, Western Europe history became much more diverse than ever before.
While the economic changes of the seventeenth century were a major cause of societal unrest, there was another reason behind it. Enlightenment thinking made people aware of their rights. Philosophers began to develop theories of ethical values and the role of the individual in politics. These factors all combined to create a great deal of unrest. Meanwhile, the European economy began to suffer in foreign lands and the monarchies began to suffer from financial problems.