The Czech and Slovak Republics, and Hungary

The Czech and Slovak Republics, and Hungary Chapter 19 Section 2

Czech, Slovak, andHungary • After fall of Communism in the late 1980s, they revert back to their historical links to the West. • Each use different approaches to address problems.

Czechoslovakia • Czech + Slovak(ia) Republics

Czech Republic • Landscape dominated by plateaus and mountains, and high ridges define its boundaries. • Economy – industry based • Recognized as independent in 1993

Path to Nationhood • Hitler used the fact that many Germans lived in NW Czechoslovakia as an excuse to invade it in 1930s. • Under communist control from 1948 to 1989. • Velvet Revolution – bloodless revolution after fall of communism

Economic Systems • Privatization – process of selling government-owned industries and businesses to private owners, runs more efficient.

Two Regions • Bohemia – Western region • Moravia – Eastern region • Mines and Industry • Pollution is biggest problem

Slovakia • Mixed economy of industry and farming • Majority of population lives between Carpathian Mountains and Danube River.

Farms • Collective Farms – set up in 1948 by communists, workers were paid by the government and they shared the profits from their products.

Factories • Not important until communist rule after World War II. • Higher wages brought migrants into cities. • Factories were refitted to non-war related goods.

Hungary • 90% of population are descended from Magyars. • Country divided into two parts by Danube River.

Eastern half – broad plain known as the Great Alfold. • “Breadbasket” of Europe – fertile soil. • Western half – hilly region • Large deposits of natural resources.

Free Enterprise • Old, inefficient industries struggle and failed. • High unemployment, government was deep in debt, and people were getting poorer. • Privatization – steady economic growth, lower unemployment, and foreign investment.

The Balkan Peninsula Chapter 19 Section 3

Balkanize – to break up into small, mutually hostile political units. • After fall of Communism, war has been more prominent than peace.

Romania • Broad plains and fertile soils along the Danube River. • Mineral deposits in the north. • Terrible economy predicted for decades to come.

Interesting fact • An American soft drink maker spent $150 million in Romania to build up its operations there. The investment helped about 25,000 small shops start or stay in business, selling soft drinks.

Entrepreneurs – individuals who start and build a business • Multiplier effect – eleven ner jobs have been added to Romania’s economy for each job that the soft drink company added.

Bulgaria • Fertile soils from the Danube and plains south of the Balkan Mountains. • Garden of Eastern Europe – warm summers and winters along the Black Sea are mild.

Bulgarians are Slavic people, like the Russians. Therefore welcoming the Soviets after World War II. • Economy failed after fall of Soviet Union, freedom, but quickly retaliated. • Tourism along Black Sea

Albania • Mountainous region • $100/month wages • Foreign companies built factories to take advantage of low wages.

Other Balkan Nations • Conflicts flared with and between the new nations. • Bosnia and Herzegovina – 1995 NATO enforced treaty divided Bosnia along ethnic lines.

Serbia and Montenegro • Former Yugoslavia until 2003. • Mountains in Montenegro and fertile plains in the Danube valley in Serbia. • Low GDP, high unemployment (30% in 2002)

Crotatia • ¾ are ethnic Croats, descended from the same early Slavs as the Serbs.

Slovenia • Early western ties, allowing industrial development earlier than other nations in Balkan Peninsula. • Industry allows a higher standard of living.

Bosnia and Herzegovina • Former Yugoslav Republic. • Long-standing hostilities between different groups. • 1995 peace treaty divided into two roughly equal parts: one controlled by Bosniaks and Croaks and the other by Bosnian Serbs.

Macedonia • Poorest of the Yugoslav nations.

Baltic States and Border Nations Chapter 19 Section 4

The Czech and Slovak Republics, and Hungary