2.  As Europe moves toward economic and
political unity, it’s facing lingering ethnic
tensions, nationalism, and environmental
crises.

4.  Europe has a long
history of conflict and
crisis
 After World War II
(1939–1945) European
nations hope to:
- rebuild their economies
 - prevent new conflicts
 Unifying Europe is one
way to achieve these
goals

5.  The European Economic
Community is formed in
1957 (later called the
European Community or
EC)
- removes trade barriers,
sets common economic goals
 - people can live and work in
any member countries
 Nations depend on one
another are more likely
to work together than
start conflict.

6.  In 1993, the EC is
replaced with the
European Union.
-Originally 15
member countries
 The European Union
promotes the use of
a common currency
known as the euro.

7.  Some people feel that the
European Union is not such a
good idea.
- Believe that people will
start moving to countries
with higher wages
 - too much economic control,
much like communism
 - use of a common currency
means loss of national
identity for many countries
 Others feel euro increases
business efficiency,
international trade

8.  While starting with just 15
member countries, the
European Union now consists
of 27 member states
 - over 500 million people fall
under the EU alliance
 Currently, many countries
have applied to be added and
plans for expansion will
Member States
continue
 To join the European Union, a Candidates for Membership
state needs to fulfill economic Possible Candidates
and political conditions

10.  Following WWII, differing
political and economic
philosophies led to tension
between Eastern and Western
European countries.
 Communist Russia and it’s
Eastern European allies
separate themselves from
countries influenced by
“Western Ideas” (U.S., France,
Great Britain, etc.)
 The divide between the two is
nicknamed “The Iron Curtain”

12.  Not only is the continent
divided, Germany is split
into two different
countries.
 East Germany is influenced
by the USSR and the
government is communist.
 West Germany is
influenced by the US,
France and the UK and
their government is a
democracy.

13.  The capital of
Berlin is split as
well.
 East Germany
builds a wall to
maintain the
separation
between the two
and keeps West
Berlin citizens
confined within.
 Crossing over is
strictly forbidden.

15.  After much protest in
the 1980’s and urges
from other political
leaders such as
President Reagan in
1987, East Germany
agrees to bring down
the wall.
 On November 9th, “Mr. Gorbechev, tear down this wall!”
1989 demolition of
the wall commenced.

19.  The Balkan conflict stems from many
different groups wanting the same
land.
 Many ethnic groups inhabit the Balkans.
 The Slavs immigrated from Russia and
Poland in the 500’s
 In the 1300’s, the Ottoman Empire
conquers the Balkans.
 Many Slavs are Christian and/or Jewish
and the Ottomans are Muslim.
 Christians, Jews and Muslims now
occupy the same land. This causes
Traditional Slavs
ethnic tension.

20.  Serbia does not like
being under foreign
rule.
 The Serbians want a
free Slavic Kingdom.
 They break away
from the Ottoman
Empire in 1878 and
their actions lead to
the breakout of WWI.

21.  In 1929, the country of
Yugoslavia is formed.
 Yugoslavia literally
translates to “Land of the
Slavs”.
 The country includes
Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Serbia,
Montenegro, Kosovo and
Macedonia.
 Land is united, but still
ethnically mixed.

22.  Yugoslavia is invaded by the
Nazis and Italians during
WWII.
 The Croatians help the Nazis
hunt down and massacre
Jews and Serbians
 Following the war, Josip Broz
Tito rules Yugoslavia
 He encourages all groups to
see themselves as Yugoslavs

23.  Tito dies in 1980 and
Yugoslavia has no single,
central ruler
 Slobodan Milosevic —
Serbian who sought to
control Yugoslavia in 1990s
 Milosevic proposes creation
of Greater Serbia
- wants to expand borders to
include all areas with Serbian
populations; Croatia has large
Serbian minority

24.  Serbia blocks
Croatian from
becoming Yugoslav
president in 1991
 In response, Slovenia
and Croatia declare
independence from
Yugoslavia
 Serbian-led Yugoslav
army invades Slovenia
and Croatia

25.  Serbians want to get rid
of Bosnian Muslims,
Croatians
 Serbs use ethnic
cleansing — violent
elimination of an ethnic
group
 Over 200,000 people
die, over 2 million flee
area
 A treaty was signed in
1995 but the region
remained unstable.

26.  In 1998, a region of Serbia
known as Kosovo became under
fire.
 Kosovo had many Albanians
who speak a different language
than the Serbians and were
also predominately Muslim.
 The Serbians, led by Milosevic,
tried to take control of Kosovo
and wipe out it’s Albanian
culture.
 The Serbians once again, used
ethnic cleansing.

27.  In 1999, NATO
intervenes and
causes Serbia to
withdraw from
Kosovo.
 When the Serbs
leave, international
officials discover
horrifying evidence
of Serbian atrocities.

29.  The movie Behind
Enemy Lines is a
film centered on the
story of an American
naval flight officer
who was shot down
over Bosnia, who
ends up uncovering
a massacre during
the Balkan conflicts.

31.  In 2001, Slobodon
Milosevic was arrested
by Yugoslav
authorities.
 He was charged with
war crimes and crimes
against humanity in
connection with
Bosnia and Kosovo.
 He died of a heart
attack in 2006 in the
midst of his trial.

33.  In 1801, Ireland became an official part
of the United Kingdom.
 However, in 1921 they declared
independence and fought the British in
a small war.
 The British recognized Ireland’s
independence; however, parts of
Northern Ireland remained part of the
UK.
 The Irish Republican Army (IRA) is a
revolutionary, military organization
formed to oppose British occupation in
Ireland.
 Today, Northern Ireland is still a topic
of controversy, especially with the IRA.

35.  The IRA has since split into
several smaller groups but
still operates today.
 Since they are an unofficial
army/militia, many people
consider the IRA a terrorist
group.
 Recent actions taken by the
IRA include;
 - setting off several bombs in 1972
 - the assassination of Queen Elizabeth’s
uncle in 1979
 - a car bomb in 1998 that killed 29
people
 - setting off car bombs outside the BBC

36.  One incident that sparked
controversy was “Bloody
Sunday” in 1972.
 Many people gathered in
protest for an independent
Ireland in the city of Derry,
Northern Ireland.
 The British Army was called
in for crowd control.
 They opened fire, killing 14
people and injuring 26.
 - 7 of the deceased were
teenagers