Europe: Conflicts

• Introduction
• Bosnia
• Basques
• Kosovo
• Northern Ireland

Introduction

The end of the Cold War in Europe has led to a revival of nationalism and old hostilities especially in Eastern Europe.  Devolution [eudevol] is the process by which regions within a political state demand and gain political strength and even autonomy at the expense of the state.  It typically occurs in countries who have historically had problems from the beginning to forge a nation-state.  It is in countries patched together by external powers (Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia).

Devolution in Europe is highlighted by Civil War in North Ireland, Scottish Nationalism, Basque & Catalonian separatism in Spain, Corsica from France, and Division from French and Flemish in Belgium.

[The text of the above was written by Scott Girhard, San Antonio College from his online course GEOG 1301 World Geography. Used with permission.]

Look at the map of potential and actual trouble spots in Europe [eudevol] and compare it with the map of languages [eulang] and religions [eurelig]. Look at them closely. Go back and forth many times. As you do so keep in mind the definition of "irredentism" [cltconaa.htm].

We do not have time to study all of these potential or actual conflicts, but I would like you to be familiar with the following four [euconfl]. Know the following:

1. where is it occurring
2. who is fighting whom, and
3. why are they fighting (what is the fundamental cause of the conflict
   For this pay close attention to cultural differences: [eulang] [eurelig])

Conflicts:

• Bosnia
• Kosovo
• Basques (Spain)
• Northern Ireland

Use your textbook, this website: http://www.jmk.su.se/global99/conflicts/index.htm, and other sources to study these conflicts.