Social studies study guide

Unit 1 - Geography 

• What are the 5 themes of geography?  Apply themes to an issue.

Location- absolute( Paris, France is 48 N latitude and 2 E longitude), Relative (Depere is 15 min to the stadium). Place- physical characteristics- landforms, bodies of water, ecosystems. Human characteristics- bridges, roads, buildings, cultures, languages, beliefs.Human-Environment interaction- Depend-people depending on water for transportation, Adapt- we adapt to the environment by wearing clothes suitable for the climate. Modify- people modify their environment by heating and cooling buildings. Movement- movement of people, products, and information. Regions- formal regions- French-speaking Canada, U.S states. Functional Regions- television network, school districts, Perceptual/Vernacular region- ¨the south¨, ¨the Midwest¨

• What generalizations can be drawn about the world’s population?  Is it increasing? Decreasing? Is this a problem? In some areas its decreasing and others its increasing, it all depends on the country if this is a problem.

• What is happening to world population in different areas of the world?

India currently has the larges population with china not far behind. Whereas the Vatican city has the lowest population.

• What are the major regions of the world?  Where are they located?  (Continents, Mediterranean, Sahara, Amazon, Latin America, China, India) (do little quiz)

• What is a choropleth map?  Know other types of maps such as political, physical, etc.

Chloropleth- uses colors and shades to show how much of something a area has. Political- shows where borders are and different regions. Physical-map thast shows natural features.

• What is a population pyramid and what can you tell about a country from its shape? 

A graph that shows the general age and gender of a group of people in an area. Young or old population, rich or poor, and 

• What is migration?  What factors influence the movement of people?- the movement of people from on eplace to another, pull factors- conditions that drive people to an area, and pushfactors- conditions that cause people to leave an area.

Unit 2 - Foundations of Democracy

• Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

• What are the parts of the Declaration of Independence?

the introduction, the preamble, a list of grievances against King George III, and a formal declaration of independence. 

• Definition of the following: independence, grievances, ideals, and unalienable rights?

the fact or state of being independent, a real or imagined wrong or other cause for complaint or protest, especially unfair treatment,a person or thing regarded as perfect, fundamental rights that individuals are born with and cannot be taken away or given up, either voluntarily or involuntarily.

• What do the ideals in the Declaration of Independence mean: equality, unalienable rights, consent of the governed, and the right to alter or abolish government? That all people are born with equal rights that cannot be taken away.

• What is the purpose of government according to the Declaration of Independence?

To protect the natural rights of the citizens especially life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

• What are the major responsibilities of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the federal government? Legislative branch creates laws, Executive enforces thoes laws and the Judicial branch interprets the laws to make sure they align with the constitution.

• What are the rights guaranteed in each amendment in the Bill of Rights (excluding the 3rd and 7th amendments)?

1st Amendment: Guarantees freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. 

2nd Amendment: Protects the right to bear arms, enabling citizens to maintain a well-regulated militia. 

4th Amendment: Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government, requiring warrants based on probable cause. 

5th Amendment: Guarantees rights in criminal cases, including the right to a grand jury indictment (for capital offenses), protection against self-incrimination (right to remain silent), protection against double jeopardy, and the right to due process. 

6th Amendment: Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, the right to confront witnesses, the right to compulsory process for obtaining favorable witnesses, and the right to counsel. 

8th Amendment: Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments. 

9th Amendment: Reinforces the idea that the listing of specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that other rights not specifically mentioned are not also protected. 

10th Amendment: Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government, nor prohibited to the states, to the respective states or to the people

• Understand amendments related to voting rights

15th amendment-prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, or previous condition of servitude(men only), 19th ammendment- the right for women to vote, 26th amendment- lowers voting age to 18.

• What were these cases about:  New Jersey vs. T.L.O.,  Tinker vs. Des Moines?

the Supreme Court addressed the legality of searches conducted by school officials. Students' freedom of speech and symbolic speech rights in schools 

• 15th, 19th, 26th Amendments

15th amendment-prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, or previous condition of servitude(men only), 19th ammendment- the right for women to vote, 26th amendment- lowers voting age to 18.

Unit 3 - State, Local and Tribal Government

• How long is a term for the Wisconsin governor?

4 year term

• How long is a term for the Wisconsin Supreme Court?

10 year term

• What does the term “reserved powers” mean?

Powers reserved for the states

• What are the federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin?

Oneida, menominee, ho-chunck

• Main responsibilities of each of the following levels of government: state, local, tribal

State governments oversee broad areas like education, transportation, and public health.

 Local governments, such as cities and counties, focus on community-specific needs like public safety, water, and waste management

 Tribal governments govern their own lands, handling education, law enforcement, healthcare, and resource management

• Which government official has a term limit?

The president

• How are the number of representatives determined for the House of Representatives?

By the population of each state

• Length of terms for the following elected officials; 

President- 4 years, US Senator- 6 years, House of Representatives- 2 years , Wisconsin Governor- 4 years, State Senator- 4 years , State Assembly person- 2 years , and Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice- life

Unit 4 - Citizenship

• Explain our 2-party system. 

A two-party system is a political party system in which two major political parties consistently dominate the political landscape

• What are the general beliefs of politically conservative individuals?

Believe a large government poses a threat to the people they support a small federal government. Believe in a free market(capitalism), support a strong defense(military), lower spending and taxes, pro-life, and favor prayer and school. Don't believe in big federal government.

• What are the general beliefs of politically liberal individuals?

A Bigger Government can help solve problems, higher taxes (for the top 1%) when benefits minorities, don't think big businesses have the people in mind, equality, money for the military should be cut, money should be spent on social programs, and the environment.

• What is the group that officially elects the president?

The electoral college

• How many people are in the electoral college?  How is the number of votes for each state determined?  What are reasons for and against the electoral college?

The number of representatives is based on population. Senators plus  Representatives.

• What is the difference between a primary election and a general election?

• What are the general beliefs of the Republican party?  The Democratic party?

The Republican Party generally emphasizes individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and a strong national defense

The Democratic Party generally promotes social and economic equality, civil rights, and government intervention to address societal problems and protect vulnerable populations

• What are good fact checking websites?

• What is media bias? And what ways do some common news sources lean?

 Media bias is the tendency of news media to report in a way that reinforces a particular viewpoint, political ideology, or other preference, instead of reporting objectively.