Year in photos: European debt crisis

Greek Communist Party members stand behind a banner hung in front of the Parthenon in Athens on May 4, 2010. (Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images) 

In 2010, countries on the edges of the European Union felt the global economic crisis anew as their large public debts forced their governments to seek bailouts from their eurozone partners and the International Monetary Fund.

Greece was the first to fall, as Athens flooded with sometimes violent demonstrators. But European leaders knew other countries were teetering on the edge.

The crisis put pressure on German leaders, whose strong economy would be called on to bankroll much of the European stability fund. The party of German Chancellor Angela Merkel (right) lost political ground at home for supporting the Greece bailout, now the Germans are accused of bullying their neighbors. German Minister of Finance Wolfgang Schauble (left) stirred the pot by slamming the American economy while explaining that Germany's economy remains strong because its manufacturer's remain competitive. (Wolfgang Kumm/AFP/Getty Images)

In November, at Europe's other border, Ireland also requested a bailout. Its property boom led its banks to bust, and the European Union and the International Monetary Fund put together a rescue package. The plan included austerity measures that will radically alter life in Ireland. (Peter Muhly/AFP/Getty Images)

Despite its decision more than a decade ago not to join the eurozone, Britain's reliance on Irish banks and exports to Ireland meant it couldn't escape the crisis. Britain contributed to the Ireland bailout despite implementing its own severe austerity measures. While students rioted in protest of tuition hikes, Prince Charles and Camilla, Dutchess of Cornwall, made the unwise decision to brave the angry mob for a night at the theater. The crowds attacked their car (above). (Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

The eurozone crisis won't end with 2010. The Spanish and Portugese economies are still on edge, and Spain's economy is much larger than that of Ireland and Greece. How will the monetary union cope if the dominoes continue to fall? (A for sale sign on a Madrid apartment, above. Dominique Faget/AFP/Getty Images)