APHG UNIT FOUR

4.1 How Is Space Politically Organized?

Objective and Essential Learning 4.1

• Learn about different types of political entities that make up the world.

• Independent states are the main parts of the world map.

• Types of political entities include:
    - Nations: Groups of people with a common identity.
    - Nation-States: Countries where the nation and state boundaries match.
    - Stateless Nations: Groups of people without a country (e.g., Kurds).
    - Multinational States: Countries with various ethnic groups (e.g., the U.S.).
    - Autonomous Regions: Areas with local governance (e.g., American Indian reservations).

Types of Political Entities

• Independent States:
    - Main parts of the political map with clear borders, residents, government, sovereignty, and recognition.

Cultural Entities

• Nation:
    - People sharing a common identity (e.g., the Maasai in Africa).

• Nation-State:
    - A state with one dominant nation (e.g., Japan, Denmark).

• Stateless Nations:
    - Nations without a defined state (e.g., Palestinians, Basque).

• Multistate Nation:
    - A nation located in multiple states (e.g., ethnic Russians in several countries).

• Multinational State:
    - Countries with many ethnic groups (e.g., Nigeria, Russia).

• Autonomous Regions:
    - Areas allowed local governance (e.g., Hong Kong).

4.2 Historical Events That Influence Modern Maps

Objective and Essential Learning 4.2

• Understand the events that shaped political geography today, like colonialism and independence movements.

Key Concepts

• Sovereignty: A state's right to govern itself.

• Nation-State: Where the nation’s area matches the state’s borders.

• Self-Determination: The right of people to govern themselves.

• Devolution: When power is transferred from central to regional governments.

Historical Events

• Berlin Conference (1884): European countries carved up Africa without considering local tribes, causing future conflicts.

• Treaty of Versailles (1920): Changed Europe’s borders after WWI, creating nation-states, but also led to problems, especially in the Middle East.

• Establishment of Israel (1948): Created tensions as Palestinians also sought self-determination.

• Decolonization (1945-1990): Many countries gained independence, leading to new states.

• Fall of the Soviet Union (1991): Led to new independent states and shifting geopolitics.

4.3 Political Power and Territoriality

Objective and Essential Learning 4.3

• Discuss how political power is shown through land and resources control.

Political Power & Territoriality

• Territoriality: Control over a specific area, influenced by history, culture, governance, and military needs.

• Political Power: Control over people and resources, not always linked to borders.

How Is Political Power & Territoriality Expressed?

• Neocolonialism: Pressure on countries by others (e.g., African nations relying on foreign investments).

• Shatterbelts: Unstable areas between powerful nations (e.g., the Balkans).

• Choke Points: Important strategic locations for global trade (e.g., Strait of Malacca).

4.4 Defining Political Boundaries

Objective and Essential Learning 4.4

• Learn about different types of political boundaries.

Types of Political Boundaries

• Antecedent: Borders set before major settlement (like U.S.-Canada).

• Subsequent: Drawn after settlement (changes from wars or treaties).

• Consequent: Align with cultural divisions (like Nunavut for indigenous groups).

• Superimposed: Imposed borders ignoring local culture (e.g., Berlin Conference borders).

• Geometric: Drawn based on math, not local features (e.g., U.S.-Mexico).

• Relic: Old borders that are no longer used (e.g., Iron Curtain).

4.5 Causes of Boundary Conflicts

Objective and Essential Learning 4.5

• Explain the different phases of political boundaries.

Identifying Boundaries

• Defined: Legally established borders.

• Delimited: Plotted on maps.

• Demarcated: Physically marked with signs or fences.

Maritime Boundaries

• Important for trade, fishing, oil reserves, and defense.

• Territorial Sea: 12 nautical miles from shore with full government control.

• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): 200 nautical miles for resource rights.

4.6 State Organization in the U.S.

Objective and Essential Learning 4.6

• Understand how voting districts and processes affect elections.

The Census

• Every 10 years to gather demographic data, influencing representation and funding.

Reapportionment and Redistricting

• Maintaining equal districts based on population changes for effective representation.

Electoral Geography

• Reapportionment: Redistribution of House seats.

• Redistricting: Redrawing district lines based on census data.

Gerrymandering

• Manipulating electoral boundaries for political advantage.
    - Packing: Grouping similar voters in one district.
    - Cracking: Spreading them across multiple districts.

Representative Districts

• Ideal districts are equal in size and shape for fair representation.

4.7 Forms of Government

Objective and Essential Learning 4.7

• Learn the differences between unitary and federal states.

Spatial Organization

• Federal States: Shared power among multiple government levels (e.g., U.S.).

• Unitary States: Centralized power (e.g., France).
  

Government Advantages & Disadvantages

• Federal Systems:
    - Pros: Local problem-solving and tailored laws.
    - Cons: Slow changes and confusion.

• Unitary Systems:
    - Pros: Efficiency and unity.
    - Cons: May overlook local needs.

4.8 Defining Devolutionary Factors

Objective and Essential Learning 4.8

• Define reasons for giving power to regional authorities.

Factors Promoting Devolution

• Reasons include:
    - Physical Geography: Geographic barriers encourage autonomy.
    - Ethnic Separatism: Groups prioritizing their culture.
    - Terrorism: Violence against governments.
    - Economic/Social Issues: Economic disparities lead to divides.
    - Irredentism: Claims for land based on cultural connections.