Question #1
Physical geographic features (rivers, mountains, etc.) can shape and contribute to human development of a region or realm. Explain why and how rivers shaped the political landscape of Western Europe.
Question #2
Northern Europe is more affluent than Southern Europe. What geographic factors contributed to the success of the north? What geographic factors limited development in the south?
Question #1 (491 words)
In the early middle ages prior to 1000 CE, Western Europe was a very different place than it is today. The political boundaries were not at all how they are currently; instead they determined themselves by the terrain and hydrology of the area. Rivers were an important fixture in this landscape, carving through mountainsides to create valleys that would become towns, roads, and the borders of countries. These rivers were often used for trade routes, as they were relatively flat and easy to travel upon. The political boundaries set by these rivers are still with us today; in some cases the border of a country even follows where a river once flowed.
Physical and geographic features of this region played a major part of political landscape in Western Europe not only because many towns were situated near them, but also because they affected what kind of laws would be passed and where cities could grow. They were used as trade routes, modes of transportation, and even food sources at this time, providing aspects that were both useful and necessary for survival. The people living in these towns by the rivers relied on them for many aspects of life. Fish was an important, consistent food source for communities living near these waterways. They also provided a route by which to travel between towns, spreading ideas and goods throughout Europe. Rivers were so integral to people during this time period that it is even easier to see just how much they shaped the political landscape, as many of the political boundaries were directly created by the rivers.
All of these activities had a strong effect on the political nature of Western Europe during this time period, as many political boundaries were directly shaped by the placement of rivers. This was an important factor in how Europe grew into what it is today; with the rivers acting not only as a trade route for merchants, but also affecting the kinds of laws put in place and even where cities could grow.
Without these rivers there would be no means by which people could transport goods, no food source from fish in the water or crops from their rich banks, and travel between towns would have been much more difficult. This all had a strong effect on the political landscape of Western Europe at this time, creating boundaries that essentially followed where rivers used to flow. These rivers were so important that they not only created the political boundaries, but also where cities would be built and what kind of laws were made.
All in all, rivers have provided people with many aspects that have been essential not only to their survival, but also what kind of laws and regulations would be put in place because they affected trade and transportation. They shaped the political landscape in many ways, creating boundaries from where rivers once flowed and even influencing where cities could grow.
Question #2 (394 words)
In many ways, the geographic location of a nation can dictate its economic performance. Throughout history, certain patterns have arisen that explain why some nations are prosperous and others are not.
The geographic factors that contributed to the affluence of northern Europe were temperate climates, navigable rivers for trading and farming, and ample natural resources. The climate provided for agriculture, making it easy to farm throughout the year. From about 400-1700 AD, much of this land was divided between Germanic tribes and the Roman Empire. The rivers made it easy to travel by boat and allowed trade amongst the people of this region. Finally, there is a rich supply of natural resources such as coal, iron ore, and tin that supported the growth of manufacturing and trading in northern Europe.
Southern Europe was geographically disadvantaged with scant internal trade routes or navigable rivers for transportation, whereas countries in the north had more easily navigable waterways.
Southern Europe has poorer soil than the north which made it impossible to grow cereal crops for food. It was forced to import cereal goods from the north in order to feed its population. Proximity to Asia through the Middle East enabled southern European countries like Spain and Portugal to import spices and other luxury items from Asia.
Since southern Europe did not have good soil for producing good crops, the only thing they could trade were commodities like gold and silver. Southern European countries had a tendency to spend their money on luxuries that northern Europeans would barter for food. By doing this, the south became impoverished while the north became wealthy.
The method of travel for people and goods was also very different in the south compared to the north. Internal trade routes were rare in southern Europe because there were no navigable rivers. The only way commercial goods could be transported internally was by pack animals or by mule trains which increased costs tremendously since mules required food on the journey.
Northern Europe, on the other hand, was abundant with navigable rivers like the Thames and the Rhine Rivers. These waterways were used for international trade by northern Europeans who benefited greatly from it; northern nations became prosperous because of this economic opportunity while southern nations became impoverished. The difference in geographic factors between southern and northern Europe were the predominant explanation for why some nations were prosperous and others were not.