AP Human Geography Unit 4 Review (Everything You Need To Know!)
State: geographic area with permanent population, defined borders, sovereign government, and recognized by other states
Sovereign government has control over domestic and international affairs
Nation: group of people with shared culture, history, homeland, and desire to govern themselves
Self-determination crucial for a nation's identity
Difference: State refers to government and land, while nation refers to people with shared culture and history
Nation-State: self-governing state with uniform population sharing language, culture, and history
Multinational State: multiple nations within borders, each with distinct identities
Dominant cultural group controls political, economic, and social system
Multi-State Nation: nation existing across multiple states
Examples: Kurds, Basques
Stateless Nation: nation with history of self-determination but no recognized state
Autonomous Region: region with independence from state, own government and self-rule
Example: Native American reservations
Semi-Autonomous Region: region controlled by another state with moderate self-governance
Example: Hong Kong under China's authority
Colonialism: acquiring territories to exert control
Imperialism: growing state or empire by force without settlements
Effects: Diffusion of religions, languages, cultures; imposition of colonizer's culture
Political Boundaries: Established by colonial powers, often disregarding local cultures
Decolonization: Colonies gaining independence post-World War II
Devolution: Transfer of political power from central to regional government
Examples: Creation of Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly in the UK
Colonialism and Imperialism: Contributed to political boundaries, conflicts, and dependencies
Decolonization: Colonies breaking away from colonial rulers
Devolution: Transfer of power to regional governments, creating new political boundaries
In conclusion, understanding the distinctions between states and nations, various political entities, and the impacts of historical events like colonialism, imperialism, decolonization, and devolution are crucial for mastering the concepts in AP Human Geography.
Definition: Establishing and defending a specific geographic area.
Expressions: Non-verbal communication, control of boundaries, military interventions, promotion of political or economic systems, regulation of activities.
Neocolonialism: Indirect use of power to influence or control another country.
Examples: Exploitation of weaker countries for resources and wealth.
China's Influence in Africa: Using neocolonial tactics to assert dominance through infrastructure investments and loans.
Definition: Areas subject to external political, cultural, and economic pressures.
Examples: Eastern Europe during the Cold War, Korean Peninsula during the Korean War.
Definition: Geographic areas crucial for reaching a destination.
Importance: Countries exert influence through military presence, infrastructure investments, and treaties.
Examples: Panama Canal, Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal.
Types:
Geometric Boundary: Follows lines of latitude and longitude.
Anachronistic Boundary: Existed before human settlement.
Relic Boundary: No longer recognized but impacts the cultural landscape.
Superimposed Boundary: Created by external powers without local consideration.
Subsequent Boundary: Develops with the cultural landscape.
Consequent Boundary: Separates ethnic, religious, or linguistic groups.
Functions: Impact geographic areas differently based on negotiations, physical features, cultural characteristics, or external impositions.
Buffer State: Geographic area with no direct state control.
International vs. Internal Boundaries:
International: Separate sovereign states.
Internal: Separate regions within a state.
Creation: Based on linguistic, religious, or cultural patterns.
Disputes:
Definitional: Interpretation of boundary documents.
Locational: Disputes over boundary location.
Operational: Disagreements on boundary management.
Allocational: Disputes over resource use on the boundary.
UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)
Conference held in 1982 by the United Nations to address allocational boundary disputes in the sea
Resulted in the adoption of the International Law of the Sea in 1983
Law of the Sea consists of three parts: Territorial Waters, Contiguous Zone, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
States have control over different zones for various purposes like passage regulation, pollution laws, and resource exploration
Disputes can be taken to the International Court of Justice
South China Sea Dispute
Seven countries claim parts of the sea, using the law of the sea to justify claims
China claims historical rights, ignoring the law of the sea
Establishment and Types of Internal Boundaries
Established by the state's government
Examples include congressional districts, county boundaries, city boundaries, school districts, and voting districts
Redistricting occurs after population changes, often done by third-party organizations or state legislators
Gerrymandering
Process of redistricting to favor one political party
Methods include cracking (spreading like-minded voters) and packing (stacking like-minded voters)
Leads to unfair representation and weakens the democratic process
Unitary States
Power centralized at the national level
Laws and policies created for the entire state
May lack efficiency in addressing local needs and issues
Federal States
Power distributed between national and regional governments
Allows for quick response to local issues and minority group needs
May lead to inefficiencies and devolution
Transfer of Political Power
From central government to regional government
Factors leading to devolution include physical geography, cultural divisions, political instability, and economic disparities
Cultural and ethnic divisions can lead to devolution, ethnic separatism, and pressures for autonomy and independence
Catalans, Basques, and Kurds
Catalans in Catalonia seek independence from Spain.
Kurds have historical claim to Kurdistan but lack their own state.
Basques, Catalans, and Kurds are stateless nations with self-determination history.
Nigeria
Ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity leads to conflicts.
Unequal resource distribution increases devolutionary pressures.
Belgium
Split into Flemish (Flanders) and French-speaking (Wallonia) communities.
Identity clash due to language differences.
Factors Leading to Devolution
Political instability, high crime rates, and terrorism.
Economic and social inequalities.
Government corruption and abuse.
Irredentism seeking to unite parts of a nation in different states.
Disintegration of States
Sudan and South Sudan split in 2011.
Soviet Union disintegrated into 15 states after collapse.
Technological Advancements
Social media and internet influence devolution and state challenges.
Access to information reduces autocratic control.
Internet played a role in Arab Spring revolutions.
Globalization
Countries influenced by global market dependencies.
Political decisions impacted by reliance on global resources.
Supranational Organizations
Political, economic, and environmental organizations impact sovereignty.
Countries surrender autonomy for benefits in economic and political power.
Examples include the United Nations, European Union, and Arctic Council.
Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces
Concepts related to devolution and state sovereignty.
Explored in Unit 4, building on concepts from Unit 3.
Centrifugal Forces
Forces that divide people, a state, or a group
Examples:
Uneven economic and social development leading to deprivation in certain regions
Cultural differences like language barriers and conflicting religious beliefs
Negative stereotypes, discrimination, and political corruption
Result: Can lead to a state becoming a failed state
Failed State
Definition: State no longer has a functioning government
Cause: Citizens no longer view the government as legitimate
Ethnic Nationalist Movement
Definition: Cultural group seeking separation or control based on ethnicity
Example: Catalonians wanting their own state
Note: Ethnic nationalism can also act as a centripetal force
Centripetal Forces
Forces that unite people, a state, or a group
Characteristics of states with strong centripetal forces:
Strong sense of patriotism
Variety of economic and social opportunities
Lack of corruption and discrimination
Shared history, language, and religion
Strong national government
Study Tips
Check answers to your study
Take the Unit 4 practice quiz
Utilize exclusive resources and videos for better understanding
Closing Remarks
Aim for an A
State: geographic area with permanent population, defined borders, sovereign government, and recognized by other states
Sovereign government has control over domestic and international affairs
Nation: group of people with shared culture, history, homeland, and desire to govern themselves
Self-determination crucial for a nation's identity
Difference: State refers to government and land, while nation refers to people with shared culture and history
Nation-State: self-governing state with uniform population sharing language, culture, and history
Multinational State: multiple nations within borders, each with distinct identities
Dominant cultural group controls political, economic, and social system
Multi-State Nation: nation existing across multiple states
Examples: Kurds, Basques
Stateless Nation: nation with history of self-determination but no recognized state
Autonomous Region: region with independence from state, own government and self-rule
Example: Native American reservations
Semi-Autonomous Region: region controlled by another state with moderate self-governance
Example: Hong Kong under China's authority
Colonialism: acquiring territories to exert control
Imperialism: growing state or empire by force without settlements
Effects: Diffusion of religions, languages, cultures; imposition of colonizer's culture
Political Boundaries: Established by colonial powers, often disregarding local cultures
Decolonization: Colonies gaining independence post-World War II
Devolution: Transfer of political power from central to regional government
Examples: Creation of Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly in the UK
Colonialism and Imperialism: Contributed to political boundaries, conflicts, and dependencies
Decolonization: Colonies breaking away from colonial rulers
Devolution: Transfer of power to regional governments, creating new political boundaries
In conclusion, understanding the distinctions between states and nations, various political entities, and the impacts of historical events like colonialism, imperialism, decolonization, and devolution are crucial for mastering the concepts in AP Human Geography.
Definition: Establishing and defending a specific geographic area.
Expressions: Non-verbal communication, control of boundaries, military interventions, promotion of political or economic systems, regulation of activities.
Neocolonialism: Indirect use of power to influence or control another country.
Examples: Exploitation of weaker countries for resources and wealth.
China's Influence in Africa: Using neocolonial tactics to assert dominance through infrastructure investments and loans.
Definition: Areas subject to external political, cultural, and economic pressures.
Examples: Eastern Europe during the Cold War, Korean Peninsula during the Korean War.
Definition: Geographic areas crucial for reaching a destination.
Importance: Countries exert influence through military presence, infrastructure investments, and treaties.
Examples: Panama Canal, Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal.
Types:
Geometric Boundary: Follows lines of latitude and longitude.
Anachronistic Boundary: Existed before human settlement.
Relic Boundary: No longer recognized but impacts the cultural landscape.
Superimposed Boundary: Created by external powers without local consideration.
Subsequent Boundary: Develops with the cultural landscape.
Consequent Boundary: Separates ethnic, religious, or linguistic groups.
Functions: Impact geographic areas differently based on negotiations, physical features, cultural characteristics, or external impositions.
Buffer State: Geographic area with no direct state control.
International vs. Internal Boundaries:
International: Separate sovereign states.
Internal: Separate regions within a state.
Creation: Based on linguistic, religious, or cultural patterns.
Disputes:
Definitional: Interpretation of boundary documents.
Locational: Disputes over boundary location.
Operational: Disagreements on boundary management.
Allocational: Disputes over resource use on the boundary.
UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)
Conference held in 1982 by the United Nations to address allocational boundary disputes in the sea
Resulted in the adoption of the International Law of the Sea in 1983
Law of the Sea consists of three parts: Territorial Waters, Contiguous Zone, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
States have control over different zones for various purposes like passage regulation, pollution laws, and resource exploration
Disputes can be taken to the International Court of Justice
South China Sea Dispute
Seven countries claim parts of the sea, using the law of the sea to justify claims
China claims historical rights, ignoring the law of the sea
Establishment and Types of Internal Boundaries
Established by the state's government
Examples include congressional districts, county boundaries, city boundaries, school districts, and voting districts
Redistricting occurs after population changes, often done by third-party organizations or state legislators
Gerrymandering
Process of redistricting to favor one political party
Methods include cracking (spreading like-minded voters) and packing (stacking like-minded voters)
Leads to unfair representation and weakens the democratic process
Unitary States
Power centralized at the national level
Laws and policies created for the entire state
May lack efficiency in addressing local needs and issues
Federal States
Power distributed between national and regional governments
Allows for quick response to local issues and minority group needs
May lead to inefficiencies and devolution
Transfer of Political Power
From central government to regional government
Factors leading to devolution include physical geography, cultural divisions, political instability, and economic disparities
Cultural and ethnic divisions can lead to devolution, ethnic separatism, and pressures for autonomy and independence
Catalans, Basques, and Kurds
Catalans in Catalonia seek independence from Spain.
Kurds have historical claim to Kurdistan but lack their own state.
Basques, Catalans, and Kurds are stateless nations with self-determination history.
Nigeria
Ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity leads to conflicts.
Unequal resource distribution increases devolutionary pressures.
Belgium
Split into Flemish (Flanders) and French-speaking (Wallonia) communities.
Identity clash due to language differences.
Factors Leading to Devolution
Political instability, high crime rates, and terrorism.
Economic and social inequalities.
Government corruption and abuse.
Irredentism seeking to unite parts of a nation in different states.
Disintegration of States
Sudan and South Sudan split in 2011.
Soviet Union disintegrated into 15 states after collapse.
Technological Advancements
Social media and internet influence devolution and state challenges.
Access to information reduces autocratic control.
Internet played a role in Arab Spring revolutions.
Globalization
Countries influenced by global market dependencies.
Political decisions impacted by reliance on global resources.
Supranational Organizations
Political, economic, and environmental organizations impact sovereignty.
Countries surrender autonomy for benefits in economic and political power.
Examples include the United Nations, European Union, and Arctic Council.
Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces
Concepts related to devolution and state sovereignty.
Explored in Unit 4, building on concepts from Unit 3.
Centrifugal Forces
Forces that divide people, a state, or a group
Examples:
Uneven economic and social development leading to deprivation in certain regions
Cultural differences like language barriers and conflicting religious beliefs
Negative stereotypes, discrimination, and political corruption
Result: Can lead to a state becoming a failed state
Failed State
Definition: State no longer has a functioning government
Cause: Citizens no longer view the government as legitimate
Ethnic Nationalist Movement
Definition: Cultural group seeking separation or control based on ethnicity
Example: Catalonians wanting their own state
Note: Ethnic nationalism can also act as a centripetal force
Centripetal Forces
Forces that unite people, a state, or a group
Characteristics of states with strong centripetal forces:
Strong sense of patriotism
Variety of economic and social opportunities
Lack of corruption and discrimination
Shared history, language, and religion
Strong national government
Study Tips
Check answers to your study
Take the Unit 4 practice quiz
Utilize exclusive resources and videos for better understanding
Closing Remarks
Aim for an A
