World Regions Final Exam Study Guide Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for the World Regions Final Exam Study Guide.

Sub-Saharan Africa Size & Location

spans all four hemispheres

Sub-Saharan Africa Resources

Rich in minerals (gold, diamonds, oil), agricultural potential

Sub-Saharan Africa Climate zones

Desert, savanna, tropical rainforest, highland

Major Trading Kingdoms in Sub-Saharan Africa

Ghana, Mali, Songhai, Great Zimbabwe

Trade goods of Major Kingdoms in Sub-Saharan Africa

Gold, salt, ivory, slaves

Outside perceptions of African Civilization

Europeans often underestimated African civilization and used stereotypes to justify exploitation

Population loss due to African Slave Trade

Millions forcibly removed from Africa

Social disruption due to African Slave Trade

Breakdown of family structures and communities

Economic impact of African Slave Trade

Loss of productive population, increased warfare

Cultural diaspora due to African Slave Trade

African cultures spread to Americas

Purpose of the Berlin Conference (1884-1885)

European powers divided Africa without African input

Results of the Berlin Conference

Artificial borders created, ignoring ethnic/cultural boundaries; "Scramble for Africa" formalized

Economic effect of Imperialism in Africa

Resource extraction for European benefit, limited industrial development

Social effect of Imperialism in Africa

Traditional structures disrupted, Western education/religion imposed

Political effect of Imperialism in Africa

Loss of sovereignty, indirect rule systems

When African Nationalism Increased

Increased after WWII (1940s-1960s)

Why African Nationalism Increased

Exposure to democratic ideals, educated African leadership, weakened European powers post-war

When most African nations gained independence

Most nations gained independence 1950s-1970s

Peak period of African Independence

1960 ("Year of Africa" - 1960)

Peaceful resistance tactics for African Independence

Negotiations, civil disobedience

Armed struggle tactics for African Independence

Guerrilla warfare in some regions

Political pressure tactics for African Independence

International support, UN involvement

Political instability challenges in Post-Independence Africa

Coups, civil wars

Infrastructure challenges in Post-Independence Africa

Limited transportation, communication

Religious/ethnic conflicts challenges in Post-Independence Africa

Artificial borders created tensions

Agriculture challenges in Post-Independence Africa

Food security issues

Technology challenges in Post-Independence Africa

Limited access to modern technology

Economic challenges in Post-Independence Africa

Dependency on raw material exports.

Social challenges in Post-Independence Africa

Health, education challenges

Colonial legacy issue in Modern Poverty in Africa

Economic structures favored resource extraction

Limited infrastructure issue in Modern Poverty in Africa

Poor healthcare systems

Political instability issue in Modern Poverty in Africa

Corruption, weak governance

AIDS Epidemic issue in Modern Poverty in Africa

Reduced workforce, increased healthcare costs

Nation that had Apartheid

South Africa

Characteristics of Apartheid

Legal racial segregation, whites-only political power, forced relocations, pass laws, inferior services for non-whites

Significance of Nelson Mandela

Led anti-apartheid movement, first Black president of South Africa, symbol of peaceful transition from apartheid

Nation that had Genocide in the 1990s

Rwanda

Results of 1990s Genocide in Rwanda

~800,000 killed in 100 days, massive refugee crisis, long-term trauma, international intervention failure

Middle East and North Africa - Crossroads of the World

Geographic location connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe

Crossroads of the World - Trade

Major trade routes passed through region

Crossroads of the World - Culture

Cultural and religious exchange hub

Judaism - Monotheistic

Belief in one God

Judaism - Torah

Sacred text

Judaism - Sabbath

Day of rest (Friday evening to Saturday evening)

Judaism - Kosher laws

Dietary restrictions

Christianity - Trinity

Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Christianity - Jesus Christ

Central figure, believed to be savior

Christianity - Bible

Old and New Testament

Christianity - Sunday worship

Primary day of worship

Islam - Five Pillars

Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), Hajj (pilgrimage)

Islam - Quran

Holy book

Islam - Muhammad

Final prophet

Islam - Friday prayers

Community worship

Islamic Sects - Sunni vs. Shia split

Disagreement over succession after Muhammad's death

Islamic Sects - Sunni

Believed caliphs should be chosen by community

Islamic Sects - Shia

Believed Ali (Muhammad's cousin) should have been first caliph

WWI Impact on Middle East - Sykes-Picot Agreement

Britain and France divided Ottoman territories

WWI Impact on Middle East - Balfour Declaration

British support for Jewish homeland in Palestine

WWI Impact on Middle East - Arab promises

Britain promised Arab independence for supporting war effort

WWI Impact on Middle East - Contradictory promises

Led to ongoing conflicts

Shariah Law - Definition

Islamic legal system based on Quran and Hadith

Shariah Law - Followers

Muslims in various countries (degree varies)

Shariah Law - Sources

Quran, Hadith (sayings of Muhammad), scholarly consensus, analogy

Islamists - Goals

Implement Islamic law and values in society and government

Islamists - Beliefs

Islam should guide all aspects of life, including politics

Jihad - Greater jihad

Internal spiritual struggle against sin

Jihad - Lesser jihad

Physical struggle/warfare

Jihad - Justification

Defense of Islam, protection of Muslim community, removing obstacles to spreading Islam

Islamist Extremists - Views

Strict interpretation of Islam, rejection of Western influence, use of violence to achieve goals

Hijab - Reference

Head covering worn by Muslim women

Hijab - Justifications

Religious modesty, protection, cultural identity

1979 Iranian Revolution - Causes

Opposition to Shah's westernization, economic inequality, political repression

1979 Iranian Revolution - Effects

Islamic Republic established, anti-Western policies, regional influence increased

Iran Concerns - Nuclear program

Potential weapons development

Iran Concerns - Regional influence

Support for proxy groups

Iran Concerns - Human rights

Political repression, restrictions on freedoms

Iraq Problems - Post-2003

Sectarian violence, political instability, ISIS presence, weak institutions

Groups involved in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Israelis and Palestinians

Unresolved issues in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Borders, settlements, Jerusalem status, refugee rights

Syria Today - Civil war

Ongoing conflict since 2011

Syria Today - Humanitarian crisis

Millions displaced, infrastructure destroyed

South Asia - Geographic isolation

Himalayas and oceans created distinct development

South Asia - River systems

Indus and Ganges civilizations

Geography's Cultural Impact - Monsoons

Influenced agricultural patterns and religious practices

Geography's Cultural Impact - Mountains

Created regional variations and languages

Geography's Cultural Impact - Rivers

Centers of civilization and religious significance

Hindu Beliefs/Practices - Dharma

Righteous living

Hindu Beliefs/Practices - Karma

Actions have consequences

Hindu Beliefs/Practices - Reincarnation

Cycle of rebirth

Hindu Beliefs/Practices - Multiple deities

Brahman as ultimate reality

Hindu Beliefs/Practices - Caste system

Social hierarchy

Siddhartha Gautama - Identity

Founder of Buddhism, became the Buddha ("Enlightened One")

Siddhartha Gautama - Background

Indian prince who sought spiritual enlightenment

Four Noble Truths - 1

Life involves suffering (dukkha)

Four Noble Truths - 2

Suffering is caused by desire/craving (tanha)

Four Noble Truths - 3

Suffering can end by eliminating desire

Four Noble Truths - 4

Eightfold Path leads to end of suffering

Ancient Caste System (Varnas) - Brahmins

Priests and teachers

Ancient Caste System (Varnas) - Kshatriyas

Warriors and rulers

Ancient Caste System (Varnas) - Vaishyas

Merchants and farmers