4.2 APHG- Shaping the Map

historical political processes

processes that happened in the past, such as colonialism and imperialism

contemporary political processes

process that are going on right now, such as devolution, independence movements, and immigration

sovereignty

Ability of a state to govern its territory free from control of its internal affairs by other states.

South Sudan

the most recent state to have achieved sovereignty (2011)

nation-state

a sovereign state whose citizens or subjects are relatively similar (homogeneous) in factors such as language or common descent.

"perfect" nation-state

There are actually no perfect nation-states in the world. Most states have people from various ethnicities, languages, and religions. There are varying degrees of diversity (or heterogeneity) in every state.

examples of nation-states

Japan and Iceland are over 95% made up of people with similar nationality

Self-determination

the idea that a nation or ethnic group has the right to govern themselves

Non-Self-Governing Territories

Under Chapter XI of the Charter of the United Nations, defines these as "territories whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government". The UN recognizes only 17 left in the world. (Puerto Rico is not listed as one of them but the Virgin Islands are)

colony

A territory that is legally tied to a sovereign state rather than completely independent.

colonialism

Attempt by one country to establish settlements and to impose its political, economic, and cultural principles in another territory.

Age of Exploration

Time period during the 15th and 16th centuries when Europeans searched for new sources of wealth began colonizing in the Americas

Scramble for Africa

Sudden wave of conquests in Africa by European powers in the 1880s and 1890s. Britain obtained most of eastern Africa, France most of northwestern Africa. Other countries (Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, and Spain) acquired lesser amounts.

Berlin Conference

Meeting at which Europeans agreed on rules for colonizing Africa (1885)

imperialism

A policy of extending a country's power and influence over other territories through military force or political power

commodity dependence

An economy that relies on the export of primary commodities for a large share of its export earnings and hence economic growth. Imperialist countries extracted wealth from the natural resources of their colonies, leading to commodity dependence even after they became independent

Age of Imperialism

A time period lasting from 1850-1914, where colonial powers (Great Britain, France, United States) were able to seize control over many territories, mainly in Africa and Asia.

decolonization

the action of changing from colonial to independent status. Decolonization happened on a world-wide scale after World War 2 (1945-1970)

independence movement

a movement that is trying to gain political independence for some area that it thinks should be its own country

Gandhi

This was a leader of the Indian independence movement in mid-20th century known for his nonviolent protests.

"the Partition"

India was separated into 2 countries Pakistan for Muslims and India for Hindus (1947)

Kashmir

an area in southwestern Asia whose sovereignty is disputed between Pakistan and India

devolution

1) the shifting of power from the central government to regional/local governments within the state OR (sometimes defined as) 2) the breaking up of a country into smaller countries

Balkan Peninsula

A large peninsula in southern Europe bounded by the Black, Aegean, and Adriatic seas. It is a politically tense part of the world. For example, an assassination of an Austrian prince in Bosnia by a Serbian started World War 1.

origin of the term Balkanization

The Balkan nations were united as "Yugoslavia" during the Cold War. When communism collapsed after 1990 the country broke up into multiple new states, with lots of conflict.

Balkanization

The contentious political process by which a state may break up into smaller countries.

Kurds

Ethnic group that lives in parts of Iraq and Turkey. They often suffer persecution in both countries, and are currently under the protection of the United Nations in Iraq.