Chapter 29

1. Chapter 29 Modern Western Europe

2. Western Europe After World War II • The Marshall Plan helped Europe to recover economically after World War II between 1947-1950. • European government developed social welfare government such as affordable healthcare, housing, and family allowances

3. Western Europe After World War II • Western Europe developed democracies even in post-war Portugal and Spain where there had been dictators.

4. France • Charles DeGaulle dominated French politics as he tried to restore France after the war and he setup a parliamentary system of government, which was weak. • De Gaulle withdrew from politics and the government he faced an independence crisis in Algeria and Indochina.

5. France • De Gaulle stepped in again in 1958 and resumed in control of the government he assumed the role of Prime Minister and dissolved Parliament. • France pulled out of NATO and wanted to become a world power by developed nuclear arms.

6. France • The French economy improved in the 1950’s and 1960’s, but the country went into debt. DeGaulle resigned in 1969. • Students protested and Socialists became dominant party by the early 1980’s and Mitterand was elected President and he tried to help the economy.

7. France • However, the Socialists programs of freezing wages and nationalizing industries failed. • By 1995, the Socialists lost support and a conservative Jacques Chirac was elected president.

8. West Germany to Germany • West Germany developed a stable economy by working with former allies and its became a member of NATO • West Germany tried former Nazis and made payments to Israel and Holocaust survivors.

9. West Germany to Germany • In the 1970’s, East and West Germany began to have contact with each other through cultural exchanges. • In the late 1970’s, the Democrats in Germany reduced welfare spending and helped paved the way to reunite with East Germany in 1980’s.

10. West Germany to Germany • When Germany was reunited, taxes had to be raised to rebuild East Germany. • The collapse of West German economy caused high unemployment and discontent.

11. West Germany to Germany • In the early 1990’s, Germany had to change its immigration laws because there were attacks on foreigners Neo-Nazis.

12. The Decline of Great Britain • England’s economy was left in shambles after World War II and Churchill’s Conservative Party was defeated by the Labour Party. • The Labour Party created a new modern welfare state with the nationalization of coal and steel industries, public transportation, and public utilities.

13. The Decline of Great Britain • The country had to dismantle its empire to pay for its welfare programs at home by reducing its military support to countries like Greece and Turkey. • The British had a hard time competing with the United States and Soviet Union.

14. The Decline of Great Britain • In Northern Ireland, violence continued between Catholics and Protestants. • Margaret Thatcher became the first woman Prime Minister of England in 1979

15. The Decline of Great Britain • She improved the economy by cutting back on government spending, lowering taxes, and cutting education spending. • She lost popularity in 1990 and then succeeded by John Major who failed to do much and was replaced by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

16. Western Europe • NATO helped to foster military unity in Europe in post-war era. • Various organizations were formed for economic purposed.

17. Western Europe • In 1992, the European Economic Community, which was originally founded in 1957 to integrate economies and monetary units of 25 nations. European Union

18. Western Europe • The EEC eventually became the European Union and allows free trade between its members and standardization among its members’ economies. • The monetary unit is the Euro and the Union has put ratifying its Constitution on hold.

19. Canada • Canada and America had a close relationship but Canada supported the actions of the U.N. so they would not get embroiled in United States’ actions • Canada created a welfare state

20. Canada • 25 years after WWII Canada experienced economic prosperity based on new industrial economy • Many businesses were American owned

21. Canada • Debate continues over whether or not Quebec should be independent from Canada , due to language and cultural differences.

22. Latin America • By the 1960’s, Latin America moved from exporting goods and raw materials to the world and start manufacturing goods for themselves • Many countries faced internal strife and military despotism

23. Latin America • By the 1970’s, most Latin American regimes were dependent on the United States and Europe because the borrowed money • When in the 1980’s, many countries could not pay interest on loans, wages fell and unemployment skyrocketed

24. Latin America • There was a move to democracy in the 1990’s but some states continued authoritarian rule • Other trends included growth of urban areas, larger gap between the rich and the poor

25. Latin America • Latin American became heavily involved in the drug trade • The Catholic Church is still an influence on society

26. Cuba • The United States tried to overthrow Castro using Cuban-exiles living in America with the Bay of Pigs Invasion but it failed • Cubans gained in the areas of health care and education

27. Cuba • Women were given equal status by law • Castro tried to establish communist nations in Latin America • Cuba’s economy has declined with the fall of the Soviet Union