What You Need to Know About Western Europe History
If you’re interested in western Europe history, you’ve come to the right place. There are many things you need to know, from where countries came from to how they got where they are today. This article outlines some of the important facts and events in European history. If you’re interested in learning more, read on for some tips. Also, remember to look for interesting historical facts! You may be surprised by what you find!
Population growth spurred significant changes in western Europe between the 17th and the early nineteenth century. New food crops and the temporary thawing of epidemic diseases allowed for a rapid population growth. The population boom also forced families of peasants and artisanal workers to adapt to the new lifestyles that were required to feed so many people. Even businessmen had to adjust their lifestyles to care for their large broods of children.
During the nineteenth century, Western Europe was both deeply divided and deeply united. These differences resulted in basic cultural trends that spanned the entire continent. After the 1871 French revolution, European states became increasingly locked in diplomatic interaction. They also imposed more strict border controls and jealously protected their national identities. Western Europe, in general, split into two distinct development zones. Industrialization and political liberalization spread to western Europe first.
Following World War II, European statesmen sought to unite their continent on the basis of equality to prevent further wars. France and Germany fought each other for dominance, but they also sought to protect each other against aggression. The fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 marked a dramatic change in the region’s history. West Germany absorbed East Germany peacefully, while the Warsaw Pact collapsed in 1991. Other nations regained their independence.
Societal unrest was also a direct result of enlightenment thinking. People began to realize their rights and were more aware of their individual rights. Furthermore, economic factors exacerbated the unrest as people became increasingly aware of their rights in politics. The European economy began to suffer both domestically and abroad, and monarchies experienced financial difficulties. This unrest ultimately lead to the French Revolution. It ultimately led to the collapse of many monarchies, as people began to feel they had already suffered enough.
After the Reformation, governments throughout western Europe began to follow British innovations. Coal-rich regions of western Europe became the hub of the industrial revolution. German pig iron production soared from 150,000 tons in 1825 to more than 250,000 tons in the early 1800s. Similarly, French iron and coal output nearly doubled within the same period, changing the material foundations of life. This transformation of western European society influenced almost every aspect of daily life.
The French and English monarchies had different political systems, and absolutism was successful in France while it failed in England. The French parliament enjoyed power for a long time, but it had to be replaced by a parliamentary system in England. By the time the Revolution began, England had adopted a representative parliamentary system. This system paved the way for democracy, but the relationship remained close, and tensions between France and Britain continued to simmer.