History of Western Europe
While most of western Europe is Catholic today, a few states have a strong Protestant presence. The country of France is predominantly Catholic, while Switzerland and Germany are home to Protestants. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire fragmented over time and was replaced by the Carolingian Empire. With a growing number of Protestants, the church became increasingly divided into Roman Catholic and Protestant sects. The period between the two main religions was known as the Middle Ages.
In the years before the French Revolution, Europe’s society had remained relatively unchanged for many years. The ruling class passed down their power to their families, and the poor were forced to support them. While this system was not ideal, there were a number of factors contributing to unrest. One of these causes was the fact that many people believed the majority of Europe’s citizens had suffered enough. In this context, the enlightenment movement became important in Europe.
The development of compulsory schooling was essential to the development of modern education systems. Throughout the nineteenth century, Germany reached nearly universal literacy through a dualist system. England, on the other hand, did not nationalize its education system until the twentieth century, making it the most decentralized in Europe. Despite its success in the education industry, it was only after World War II that the country finally adopted the common primary school. Eventually, the European Union incorporated most of the former monarchies into the EU.
While the USSR lacked a flexible stance towards human rights, Western European countries continue to be involved in the international arena. This includes participation in major negotiations and the drafting of a peace treaty. By focusing on concrete, balanced results, Western European nations are well positioned to influence future global conflicts. Even if these differences are not always obvious, they are still significant. With the onset of the EU’s free trade agreement in December 2008, the USSR will no longer be able to influence Western Europe’s security.
The development of political cooperation has been a key factor in the European Union. The EC’s political cooperation has grown rapidly, with “The Single European Act” codifying this integration process. It has also enabled the EC to move forward with its diplomatic policies. In 1987, 12 EC nations issued a statement on the Middle East peace issue, with the Belgian Foreign Minister traveling to the region. As a result, the European Union is more powerful than ever.
The French Revolution of 1830 changed the political landscape. The French Revolution ushered in a new era of democracy, bringing about a major change in the political system. After the French Revolution, the social liberal democratic party (CDP) and the Socialist Party (FDP) formed the National Assembly. These two political parties were able to create a government that was both strong and unified. However, the result was that the French revolution was an unpopular one.