I've just had my final exam in political science and I'm going to take it as a minor in college as well. I agree that it sucks that people can't get any money right now, but it was the right thing to do. Because as the article said, a run on the banks could make the whole economy collaps because the banks are dealing and trading with more money than they actually have. Only 1/7th of the world's money actually exists. That is usually no problem, but it becomes one when these things happen. This almost happened in Germany as well, but high politicians prevented it by promising that peoples' earnings are safe with the banks. However; politicians are starting to become less and less trustworthy and so I wouldn't be surprised if the economy really collapsed due to a run on the banks.

The thing is, small independent business will take a HUGE hit from this.

For example, my parents own a small business. We're selling mobile phones and stuff. And due to this, they will take 14,000 euro from the business' account. For a small, independent business that's a HUGE loss.

Rumour has it that Italy has limited the amount of money people can withdraw from the bank from €1000 to €300 and that Cyprus will close its banks until Thursday... I'm waiting to see what happens tomorrow, because people in The Netherlands are predicing that our stock market will crash tomorrow and dozens of people are claiming they are gonna withdraw their money from the bank tomorrow... Is this really the beginning of the end? Is a (civil)war brewing in Europe?

Bailouts are NOT the way to go. You have to increase taxes on banks, increase regulations on them and increase spending on health and education. Some will go bankrupt but it's the only way to really move ahead, otherwise it's like trying to patch up a dam with band aids.