Chapter 12.1 Northern Europe

Countries of Northern Europe

• United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, Norway,

Sweden, Finland, and Denmark

For what reason might a group of people want their own country?

Rise of N. Europe • The Roman Empire controlled much of the

region from about 43 A.D to 400 A.D

Rise of N. Europe • Once the Roman Empire collapsed,

Germanic tribes (the Angles, Saxons, and

Jutes) took over the area

o This is known as the Middle Ages (500-1500 A.D)

This might be the greatest invention ever. What is it?

Rise of N. Europe • From the 1700s to the 1900s, Europe saw

many changes.

o Reformation (1500s)-religious movement that

brought Protestantism to Europe

o Enlightenment (1700s)- age of scientific reason

o Industrial Revolution (1800s)- rise of the machines

Culture Today: Language • Most people in N. Europe speak languages

from the “Indo-European” family

o Example: English and Swedish

Culture Today: Religion • Most countries allow religious freedom for

the people

• The most popular religion is Protestant

Christianity

Culture Today : Education • Northern Europe has one of the most

educated populations in the world.

• The Literacy Rate (ability to read) is nearly

100%

Culture Today : The Arts • Many famous writers come out of N. Europe

o England: William Shakespeare (wrote Macbeth

and Julius Caesar) and Charles Dickens (wrote A

Christmas Carroll)

o Denmark: Hans Christian Anderson (wrote

Thumbelina and the Little Mermaid)