Political Organization
of Space
Unit 4
Vocabulary Journal
Geopolitics
•
Is the study of human systems, which
are constantly in a state of spatially
organizing the land to fit the needs of
humans.
•
At its core, political geography is about
how humans divide the earth.
•
Questions that are asked are…
 Why are some areas more prone to war than
others?
 Why are some countries larger than others?
 Who determines the boundaries of a State?
 What does ethnicity and race have to do with
any of the above. Ethnicity deals with the
cultural aspects of a group of people. Race
deals with the biological heritage of a group.
State
•
The differences between state, nation and nation-state are profound, yet the media cannot seem to
get these terms straight. Nor can our own state, I mean country, I mean nation….exactly what are
we?
•
An area with boundaries and sovereignty.
•
The earth is divided among just under 200 countries.
•
These countries are more correctly termed states.
•
It is an area with a defined territory that exercises its sovereign control over areas both
inside and outside its borders. So, is Texas a state under this definition?
•
In the United States, we have 50 subdivisions called “states”,
even though they are a part of one State, called the United
States of America. The federal government of the US holds the
power (sovereignty) over these 50 subdivisions.
Nation
•
Is a group of people with common cultural characteristics, they are a homogenous group of people, common
background, usually common religion, language, and national identity. Usually nations are located within the borders
of a country (state), some of these nations are the Koreans, Hmong, Kurds, Basques, Flemish, Walloons, and Zulus just to name a
few.
•
Many people have become more loyal to their nation than to their state. This had led to conflicts all over the world.
•
For example: The US “War On Terror” has us fighting a group of people with radical Islamic views and no borders,
and have left behind their loyalty to their States of which they are citizens, instead pledging their allegiance to
that organization, forming a nation.
•
What problems can this pose for us as a state, trying to wage war on groups that do not have borders and a specific state bac king
them?
Nation-state
•
Occurs when a state’s boundaries coincide with
the cultural boundaries of a particular group.
 Iraq, for example, is a state divided into three
nations.
 The Sunni Muslims (nation)
 The Shiite Muslims (nation)
 The Kurds (stateless nation)
 These 3 nations within Iraq have disputes that are
difficult to resolve within a single political system.
This is one of the reasons why Iraq has had trouble
writing a constitution and developing a strong
central government.
 Two good examples of nation –states are Japan and
Denmark, however a
perfect example of a nation-state. In a perfect
nation-state,
every person in the country would have to be the
same ethnicity,
speak the same language, and practice the same
Commonwealth
•
Is a territory that has established a mutual agreement with another
state for the benefit of both parties.
•
In return for land for use as a military base by the United States, the
citizens of the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico gain full U.S.
citizenship rights except for representation in Congress.
Territorial Dispute
•
Is defined as a conflict that arises when two or more countries vie for control over a
territory.
 Example: 1982, Great Britain took military action against Argentina over a small group of
islands off the Argentinian coast, the Falkland Islands, which have a population of only about
2,500. The people of the islands make their living ranching and fishing. Britain had owned the
islands for over a century, however, Argentina claimed they were the rightful owners and invaded
the islands in 1982. The war lasted about 2 months, and Great Britain was victorious. After the
war the people of the islands voted that they wanted Great Britain to establish sovereign control
over the islands and have since voted for English to be their official language.
 Example: During WWII, Pacific islands such as Guam and American Samoa were strategic
points for both Japanese and American militaries, which fought for control of them. The US won
that war, and both are US territories.
Sovereignty
•
States regulate their own internal and
external affairs. This power is called
sovereignty.
•
Once a country has sovereignty, it can
determine its own tax structure, laws, and
political structure.
•
A country cannot just say they are sovereign, once
other states begin to treat it like a state, then it
becomes a state participating in organizations
like the United Nations which helps in achieving
recognition of statehood and sovereignty.
Palestine is a new state that has stated its
sovereignty, and is now participating in the UN.
Countries such as the US and Israel do not treat
Palestine as a sovereign state. Israel back in
1948 became a sovereign state, but many
countries of the Middle East do not treat Israel as
a sovereign state even though it is a member of
the UN.
•
EXAMPLE: Native American groups here in the
US are considered sovereign nations when they
are on their reservations. They can abide by their
own laws and customs separate and apart from
the laws of the federal US government. That is
how they have gambling casinos ON their
reservations in states where gambling is illegal.
(Oklahoma, Texas, etc.) This quasi-sovereignty
has led to conflicts over the years.
•
Using your personal device, find 3 to 4 examples of the concepts we have
discussed today…
•
Be ready to share your examples with the class…
Struggle for Sovereignty
•
The Kurds
 One of the largest nationalities in the world without their own state, mostly located in Turkey, northern Iran, and
northern Iraq with a pockets in Armenia and Azerbaijan.
•
The Basques
 Fiercely independent group living in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain, the majority living Spain
with a small number living in Andorra and SW France. Basque separatists have resorted to terrorism to fight for their
independence.
•
The Flemish
 Live in the north of Belgium, language is Flemish (common Dutch). They are distinct from the Walloons of Belgium (another
group wanting sovereignty in Belgium, speaking French). Most are Catholic which separates them from most of Northern
Europe which are Protestant.
•
The Zulu
 Found in South Africa, historically Zulu was the dominant nation in southern Africa with a very proud legacy of empire and
conquest. Most are Christians as a result of colonial-era missionaries, though many still practice animism. The Zulu
separatists would like their homeland to be named KwaNdeble. During the time of apartheid, when a white minority
ruled South Africa, the Zulus were forced to occupy a low status, suffering discrimination in education,
employment, and all other aspects of life.
•
The Palestinians
 Majority are found in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights sections of Israel. However, in 1948 with the
creation of the state of Israel, many Palestinians fled to neighboring countries of Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Majority practice
Islam and speak Arabic though many learn Hebrew. Likewise, Jewish students who speak Hebrew are required to learn Arabic.
They now have an area of sovereignty but not all states of the world (including the US) do not recognize this sovereignty.
•
The Hmong
 An indigenous group originally hailing from Mongolia. They moved into China, where they were thought to be “barbarians” and
persecuted. Many were killed and much of the population driven into the highlands of Southeast Asia. Most now
live in Laos as well as in refugee camps of Thailand. They allied with the US in the Vietnam War and in 1975 the US left them
to have to deal with vindictive political regimes in Laos and Vietnam. Several Christian groups in the US have decided to adopt
Hmong families and these immigrants are now bringing over their next of kin and now large settlements are found in
California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Carolina as well as Australia and France.
The Kurds
The Flemish
The Basques
The Zulu
The Palestinians
The Hmong
Boundaries
• Three
Primary factors determine boundaries.
Latitude and Longitude features or straight
lines (geometric boundaries).
Natural features such as rivers, and
mountains (physical boundaries)
Cultural factors such as language, religion,
or ethnicity (ethnographic or cultural
boundaries)
Geometric Boundaries
•
Geometric boundaries are created by using lines of latitude and longitude.
•
They are easy to spot on a map because they are usually straight.
•
Many state boundaries in the western US such as Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah are
geometric boundaries. Much of the boundary between the US and Canada is drawn
according to latitude from the state of Washington to Lake Superior along the 49 th parallel.
 Antecedent boundary is one that existed before human settlement of the area;
that is, settlement followed the boundary. The 49th parallel is a good example of this
type of boundary.
 Iraq’s borders with Saudi Arabia were drawn using geometric boundaries. The line is
diagonal, but it is straight with geometric principles being used to draw it.
 Advantages of this type of boundary is that the lines are easy to determine with a GPS.
Physical Boundaries
•
Using physical features is an easy way to
determine where one area stops and another
begins.
•
Example: On one side of the Rio Grande is the
United States, and on the other side is Mexico.
They can include rivers, lakes, mountains, deserts,
peninsulas, and so on.
•
Example: Many of the eastern United States were
drawn using the physical features approach. The
Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers separate dozens of
states along their paths.
•
Example: The Andes Mountains, sometimes called
“the spine of South America,” are used to
determine boundaries between Chile and
Argentina and between Ecuador and Brazil.
•
Example: The Himalayas, the highest mountains
in the world, separated India from the rest of the
world for centuries.
•
Disadvantages: If a river determines a boundary,
then any project involving that river, (dams,
bridges, etc.) involves working with two different
governments. Also, these rivers may change
course, moving the boundary. Mississippi and
Louisiana’s boundary has been altered because the
Mississippi River constantly shifts.
Ethnographic or Cultural Boundaries
•
Using ethnographic or cultural
features, such as language, religion or
ethnicity, to establish boundaries is
probably the best method, but such
boundaries can be the hardest to
enforce or establish. Lines between
cultures can be ambiguous and fluid.
•
Example: In 1884, 14 European countries
that wanted to divide the continent of
Africa into countries attended the
Conference of Berlin. France, Great
Britain, Portugal, and Germany were the
major participants. Instead of drawing
borders according to the different
ethnicities in Africa, they superimposed
boundaries that didn’t fit the cultural
boundaries. Ethnic groups that had been
in conflict for centuries were now supposed
to live together under the umbrella of one
state. The result of the conference was a
mishmash of countries that was doomed
from the start.
Boundary Disputes
•
Areas such as Rwanda, Uganda, and Sudan have experienced some of the greatest mass atrocities
and refugee movements the world has ever seen.
•
Millions of people have died as the result of violence arising from the inappropriate boundaries
created at the Conference of Berlin.
 Ethnic conflicts involving the Hutus and Tutsis have created one of the largest refugee movements and example
of genocide in the last 30 years.
Ethnic Conflicts
•
Disagreements that usually result in military action or violence of
one ethnic group against another. Ex. Genocide in Rwanda
between the Hutu and Tutsi.
Religious Conflicts
•
Involve violence between members of different religious groups.
•
Example: This is currently occurring in Iraq between Sunni and Shiite
Muslims.
•
Example: violence has erupted from time to time in India and Pakistan as
Hindus and Muslims have disagreed over where the boundary should
between the two countries, specifically in the Kashmir region.
Annexation
•
The opposite of balkanization is annexation, adding territory to an already existing
state.
•
The US purchased the Alaska territory from Russia in 1867, it annexed the land as territory, ven
though Alaska didn’t officially become a part of the US until 1948.
Definitional Boundary dispute — Saudi Arabia v Yemen
•
Arise from the legal language of the treaty’s definition of boundary. One country
sues another country in the International Court of Justice (the World Court),
which will try to determine what was intended by the boundaries when they
were initially described.
Locational Boundary Disputes
Louisiana v. Mississippi
Arise when the
definition of the
border (e.g., “the
Mississippi River”) is
not questioned but the
interpretation of the
border is. In these
cases, the border has
shifted, and the
original intention of
the boundary is called
into question.
Example: The state of
Mississippi have found
themselves in the state of
Operational Boundary Dispute – Mexico vs. US
• Occur when two countries next to each other disagree on a major issue
involving the border.
• Example: The US and Mexico disagree over the issue of illegal immigration into the US.
Both sides agree where the border is, but cannot agree on how to handle border crossing.
Allocational Boundary Disputes – Bangladesh vs. Myanmar
• Like operational boundary disputes, there is no question of the boundary itself, but
rather the use of it. Allocational boundary disputes usually involve some type of natural resources, often
•
in the open ocean and/or under ground. Who has the right to drill for water if the aquifer extends across a
boundary, who has the right to the water, or drilling for oil at sea.
The UN held a conference in 1958 to try to establish UNCLOS, that stands for the United Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea. When finally adopted as international law in 1983, the International Law of the Sea held 2 important points.
• Foreign countries could not have their military or other ships travel within 12 miles of the coast of another country, and
countries have EEZs (Exclusive Economic Zones) that countries have the right to explore for resources up to 200 miles
off their shores. EXAMPLE: the US can drill for oil and natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico out 200 miles. Some cases
have to use the median-line principle where a line is drawn in the water equidistant from each competing party.
Doesn’t necessarily give all parties equal access to the resources. EXAMPLE: In the Caspian Sea, Iran is contesting
this principle, because other countries like Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan would receive a greater
percentage of the resources in the Caspian Sea than Iran would get.
Global Commons
•
Countries do not have the
right to search for natural
resources.
•
Antarctica is an example of the
largest global commons area in
the world.
 No country may exploit Antarctica
for natural resources, although
several countries have claimed
land on the continent. Australia
claims the largest percentage of
land, followed by Norway, France,
Chile, Argentina, and the UK.
However, it is globally accepted
that the land in Antarctica will be
solely for scientific research.
The Creation of Boundaries
•
Creating boundaries can
resolve tensions – or
incite hostilities.
•
There are four main types
of boundary origins that a
geographer classifies on
the landscape:
 Antecedent boundaries
 Subsequent boundaries
 Superimposed boundaries
 Relic boundaries
⋆
Ecumene is a term used by geographers to mean inhabited land. It generally refers to land where people have made their
permanent home, and to all work areas that are considered occupied and used for agricultural or any other economic purpose.
Antecedent Boundary
• People knew in
advance when
they moved into a
region which side
of the border they
were living on.
Subsequent Boundary
• The borders were drawn
to accommodate
religious, ethnic,
language differences.
The borders of Northern
Ireland and
Pakistan/Bangladesh are
good examples.
A superimposed boundary is a boundary
that ignores existing cultural aspects of a
region. The continent of Africa is a good
example of this boundary.
A relic boundary is a “relic” on the
landscape. It no longer exists, but its
impact is still felt.
The Berlin Wall and the border separating
East and West Germany no longer exists, but
it is still felt economically.
The “Iron Curtain” no longer exists, but there is still
an economic gap between “east” and “west” in
Europe.
Boundary evolution
•
The technical wording of a treaty that legally
defines where a boundary should be located.
•
Once the boundary evolution becomes part of the
official document, cartographers must
accurately represent it.
•
This transition or translation of the
boundary evolution is called delimitation.
•
After the process of delimitation has been
established, the two countries place objects
on the landscape, such as border crossings,
fences, walls, and so on, that show where
the boundary is located.
•
This process of physically representing a
boundary on the landscape is known as
demarcation.
•
The demarcation zone can be a tense area,
where the hostilities of two countries come to a
head.
•
This entire process creates the border
landscape of an area.
•
Using your personal device, find 3 to 4 examples of the concepts we have
discussed today…
•
Be ready to share your examples with the class…
•
Spend time over the next couple of days studying these
specific terms because it is quite likely that you will have a quiz over them
the next class period.
Colonialism
•
The practice of establishing political dominance over a people for economic, political,
and territorial gain.
 Religious Colonialism – A fundamental tenet of the Christian faith is that one should seek to save the
unsaved. All of the European colonizers participated in some form of conversion. The Spanish largely
forced Christianity upon the indigenous peoples of South and Central America; if they did not convert, they
were killed. The Spanish also set up missions in what is now the southwestern US. The French and
English set up missions in the New World, many of which still exist today. EXAMPLE: Montreal was first
established as a mission and trading post on the St. Lawrence Seaway by the French. Religion was also a
push factor for persecuted religious minorities who emigrated to establish colonies. The Pilgrims came to
the New World in hopes of religious freedom.
 Search for Wealth – Spanish explorers were always looking for the instant wealth that gold could bring.
The French sought furs from the beaver and other animals to produce hats and coats admired by the upper
classes in France. The voyageurs were the traders who went deep into the wilderness to trap the animals
and bring back the furs in dugout canoes. The French established a working relationship with the Native
Americans along the borders of present day US and Canada. Colonies were expected to provide resources
that the home country needed to sustain itself. For many years, the Spanish brought back ships filled with
gold and jewels.
 Glory of Colonialism – It was important for the prestige of the kings and queens of Europe to have
colonies around the world. “The sun never set on the British Empire.”
 One of the most widely known stories of British colonialism is the story of the independence of India,
Mahatma Gandhi started his independence movement through nonviolent protests. By controlling the salt
trade and cotton manufacturing rebel forces crippled British control in the region. The British were not able
to control the combined countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India and were forced to leave. A border
clash soon followed between India and Pakistan. Pakistan was separated into East Pakistan, later
Bangladesh, and West Pakistan, which later became Pakistan.
Self-Determination
•
The power of a people to establish their own government the way they see fit.
•
Suffrage – the power to vote on issues regarding their welfare, as when American
colonists spoke out against “taxation without representation.”
•
To this day, in some countries men have the right to vote, but women do not. Even the US,
women’s enfranchisement (the right of women to vote) didn’t come until 1920 with the
passing of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Imperialism
•
Establishing control over an area that is already politically organized.
•
There is a fine line between the two terms and sometimes controversy as to which
definition applies for a given historical situation.
•
It is widely accepted in most circles that European colonized the
Western Hemisphere and imperialized Africa. Why do you think this
distinction is made?
•
Colonialism began with the Ancient Greeks and their exploration of the
Mediterranean Sea.
•
Today, the era of colonialism has ended politically for the most part, but the issue
of economic colonialism is still alive and well.
Organic Theory
•
The political geographer Friedrich Ratzel, who coined the term
geopolitics, based his organic theory on the growth of states.
•
Ratzel argued that the state was like a living entity that
constantly needed to grow to thrive.
•
According to Ratzel’s theory, states constantly need new
territory to meet the demands of their ever-growing populations.
•
Europeans have had the largest impact on the world as
colonizers.
•
Europe colonized for four major reasons that were discussed
earlier:
 Christianity
 To gain natural resources
 Prestige
 Benefits of more land
Democratization
•
The transition of an authoritarian regime (dictatorship) to a representative form of
government.
•
The first wave of democratization took place in the 19 th century in North America and
Western Europe.
•
The second wave occurred immediately after World War II when many former colonies
gained independence.
•
We are still experiencing the third wave of democratization, which started in 1974.
•
Crucial factors for democratization to take place are:








A country’s level of wealth
Educational system
Reliance on one or a few natural resources
Social equality
Ethnic composition
Culture and
Age distribution.
A country with the classic pyramid age distribution will have difficulty transitioning to democracy because of
the overwhelming need to expand the economy and provide education and health care to a fast growing
population.
•
Using your personal device, find 3 to 4 examples of the concepts we have
discussed today…
•
Be ready to share your examples with the class…
•
Spend time over the next couple of days studying these
specific terms because it is quite likely that you will have a quiz over them
the next class period.
The Five Shapes of Countries
•
Countries come in different sizes and shapes.
•
The bigger the country, the more potential resources the
country possesses and the greater its industrial base.
•
The downside for a large country is its difficulty in
defending its borders.
•
Larger countries generally, but not always, need a greater
military.
•
Conversely, small states usually have a relative lack of
resources but also less area to defend.
•
The smallest states are called microstates or
ministates. Microstates are states that are small in
area and population. City-states are microstates.
•
Countries take on five main shapes.
•
A country can exhibit characteristics of one or more of these
shapes.
•
Sometimes these shapes are called territorial
morphology. Refers to the size, shape and relative
location of a state. This affects the possible
communication as well as conflict with neighbors.
Compact Countries
•
These countries borders
are approximately
equidistant from the
center of the country.
The country may be in the
shape of a circle or
square.
•
Communications and
transportation are
relative easy in a compact
country, as is the
mobilization of the
military.
•
Disadvantage for a
compact country is a lack
of resources, because
these countries tend to be
Elongated Countries
•
Elongated countries are
at least twice as long as
they are wide, they are
long and skinny.
•
Transporting raw
materials to industrial
centers can be relatively
easy because it is so
narrow.
•
However, those living in
the ends of the country
can feel isolated, which
can lead to separatist
movements.
Fragmented Countries
•
A fragmented country is in pieces that
are not attached to each other.
•
Fragmented countries are usually
islands.
•
The advantage of being fragmented is
that another country would have a
hard time trying to occupy and control
your country.
•
Example: invading Indonesia would
involve invading thousands of separate
islands.
•
However, communications and
transportation between the separated
areas can be extremely hard, especially
when another country is in the way.
•
When the US added Alaska and Hawaii
in 1959, it became a fragmented
country. Alaska is an example of an
exclave – an area separated from its
state by another State, in this case
Canada. Kalingrad is another example
Perforated Countries
•
A perforated country has an
entire state completely inside
of its borders.
•
There are only two perforated
states in the world. South
Africa and Italy.
•
South Africa contains the
country of Lesotho completely
inside of its borders. The
perforated country is South
Africa, not Lesotho, Lesotho is
an enclave – a country that is
completely surrounded by
another political state.
Enclaves are also landlocked
countries – with no access to
the sea.
•
Landlocked countries are at a
distinct political and economic
disadvantage, their relations
with neighboring countries
must always be on good terms
for fear that access to oceanic
trade would be cut off.
Prorupted Countries
•
A prorupted country has a protrusion extending out from its main base.
•
Proruptions were often drawn by colonizers to ensure their access to raw materials or water
transport.
•
One advantage of having a proruption is that it usually provides the country with access to a useful
raw material. It may also provide trade opportunities. Having control of a river provides the
opportunity to charge a tax or tariff, on all goods passing through.
•
The disadvantage is that the proruptions are usually fiercely fought over. Proruptions are usually
the doings of colonial powers and, therefore, sometimes hard to justify.
Created by the
Germans to control the
Zambezi River.
Embassies and Ambassadors
•
Governments usually create organizations to assist with their interactions with other
countries.
•
In the US, the Department of State runs offices, called embassies around the
world.
 Job is to represent U.S. interests to the leadership of other countries.
•
The lead officials representing the United States in other countries are called
ambassadors.
•
The Department of State also runs consulates, secondary offices that usually
deal with economic issues as well as the granting of visas to enter their home
countries. Consulates are usually located in large regional cities.
Federal Government
•
The Central government of the US. The U.S. federal government is based in the
capital city of Washington, D.C.
•
Individual states in the U.S. also have governments, called state governments.
 They may try to develop more trade opportunities for their particular state but do
not have the authority to authorize treaties with foreign countries.
Organizations set up to take care of
disagreements among countries.
•
International organizations that try to diffuse tensions around the
globe.
 North Atlantic Treaty Organization – NATO
 Southeast Asian Treaty Organization – SEATO
 Central Treaty Organization – CENTO
•
Using your personal device, find 3 to 4 examples of the concepts we have
discussed today…
•
Be ready to share your examples with the class…
•
Spend time over the next couple of days studying these
specific terms because it is quite likely that you will have a quiz over them
the next class period.
Cold War
•
After WWII world politics were dominated by two
superpowers: The United States and the Soviet
Union, this time period was known as the Cold War.
 American foreign policy was dominated by attempts to reduce
the spread of communism and spread democracy.
 The U.S. fought wars in Korea and Vietnam and aided troops in
Central America and Central Asia to oppose communism.
 Large military bases were established around the world,
including in Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Turkey, Germany,
and Iceland.
 The world came close to a nuclear war when the Soviet Union
started building missile bases on Cuba in 1962, sparking the
Cuban missile crisis.
The US helped create the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO)to enlist assistance of other countries opposing the
Warsaw Pact, a bloc of Eastern European countries funded by the
Soviet Union. The countries of the Warsaw Pact were known as
satellite states of the Soviet Union and were under the control of
that superpower created a cultural wall called the Iron Curtain.
The Iron Curtain divided democratic, capitalist Western
Europe from totalitarian, communist Eastern Europe.
Shatterbelt regions
•
For many years, the two superpowers
battled indirectly by using other
countries as pawns.
•
Regions caught up in a conflict
between two superpowers are
called shatterbelt regions.
•
The boundaries are often changed as a
result of the conflict.
•
EXAMPLE: the Korean and Vietnam
Wars.
•
EXAMPLE: The Middle East was a
shatterbelt region as the superpowers
vied for access to petroleum.
•
EXAMPLE: 1980s, the shatterbelt
region was in Central America with
conflicts in Nicaragua and El Salvador,
the US gave resources and military
equipment to the Contras, who were
fighting against communism in the
region.
The Heartland Theory
 In
1904, Sir Halford MacKinder, a British political geographer,
wrote a thesis and presented it before the Royal Geographical
Society in London. In his article titled “The Geographical Pivot of
History,” he outlined his heartland theory.
 The
heartland theory suggests that whoever owns Eastern
Europe and Western Asia has the political power and capital
to rule the world.
 Eastern
Europe contained one of the richest agricultural regions in
the World. The Ukraine region could produce enough wheat and
other agricultural products to sustain a large population—and feed
its armies.
 Also,
abundant raw materials such as coal, essential to develop a
military and industrial base, are available in this region.
Adolf Hitler believed in the
heartland theory, which is why he
invaded Eastern Europe.
Hitler underestimated the Soviet
citizens’ resolve and the severity of
the Russian winter and eventually
had to retreat. The Soviet Union lost
16 million citizens during World War
II
After World War II, the Soviet Union
exerted control over Eastern Europe,
greatly concerning Western Europe,
the United States, and other
noncommunist countries.
Prior to World War II, Eastern
Europe was not as technologically
advanced as Western Europe.
However, after World War II, the
Soviet Union began updating its
technology base, posing a serious
The Rimland Theory
 Nicholas
Spykman, another political geographer, used MacKinder’s ideas
when he wrote his own theory on world domination and politics.
Spykman was originally from the Netherlands and came to the United
States to teach at Yale University.
 He
originated the rimland theory of containment and is known as
the “godfather of containment”.
 The
rimland theory believes that forming alliances is necessary to
keep the Heartland in check.
 Because
the heartland is so powerful, no individual country can contain it
by itself. Hence the establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO), the Southeast Asian Treaty Organization
(SEATO), and the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) in response to
the spread of communism around the world.
Spykman believed that the
heartland may control the
land but the rimland will
control the sea. The
heartland is trapped in a
sense by its own geography.
To the north of the
heartland is an ocean that
is icebound much of the
year. To the east are the
Ural Mountains and vast
tracts of land with sparse
populations. To the south is
the Middle East with its
immense deserts.
The rimland would use the
oceans to contain the
heartland, engaging in a
battle between land and
sea.
The Domino Theory

The domino theory was adopted by the United States in the 1960s and 1970s.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) developed this theory, which suggested that when
one country experiences rebellion or political disunity, other countries around it will also
experience turmoil as a result, leading to a domino effect of political instability in the
region.

Dwight D. Eisenhower first used the term dominos in the sense when he made a speech
suggesting that the countries involved in a conflict would fall over like dominos.

The domino theory was established in response to the communist incursions
that had been occurring around the world. It justified U.S. military
involvement in Southeast Asia during the 1960s and 1970s and in Central
America during the 1980s.

Opponents of the domino theory point to the political stability of the United
States despite politically instability in Mexico as an example of its invalidity.

Proponents of the theory suggest that a lack of border security is causing
political instability in the United States.
Irredentism
 Is
the attempt by one country to provoke coups or separatist
movements in another country.
 Example:
Country A tries to spark a separatist movement from a
nationality within country B. This can be done through literature, radio
programs, or television ads.
 The
United States practices irredentism when it sends radio
transmissions into another country to communicate the benefits of
capitalism and democracy and relay truthful news about world events.
 The
US has sent transmissions from Florida to Cuba, into Eastern Europe
during the Iron Curtain era.
 And
still using this in countries of the Middle East.
Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces
•
Centrifugal forces – forces that break up a state.
•
Centripetal forces – forces that tend to unite a state.

Centrifugal forces include anything that causes tension with the
borders of a country.
 This could be religious, linguistic, or ethnic diversity.
 Nationalism – focuses on a people’s religion, language, or
ethnicity rather than the state, potentially leading to the
break up of the state. This is a problem that is seen in countries
like Afghanistan where a stable central government has problems
taking shape because the people are more loyal to their tribal groups
than they are to the state.
 The former country of Yugoslavia, ethnic and religious
differences were so strong that the federal government of
Yugoslavia could no longer control the different factions.
 The dissolution of Yugoslavia was inevitable after the
federal government lost its authority.
 The Soviet Union experienced strong centrifugal forces as well.
Trying to rule a country as large and diverse as the former Soviet
Union was a difficult task. As a result, Soviet leader Mikhail
Govbachev started perestroika, the restructuring of the economy.
Devolutuion

Devolution is the giving up of power by the central or federal government to the different
regions of the country.

Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus, and Ukraine in the west formed their own countries
based on their different ethnicities and languages.

In the Central Asian region, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and
Tajikistan seceded. Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan also broke off. The leadership of
Vladimir Putin and Dmitri Medvedev, has squelched further secession attempts, like
those made by the Chechnya region of Russia.

In the 1990s, the economy of Russia was in peril from the black market and the Russian
federal government had little control over the pricing structures. Putin’s leadership
stabilized the economy but at the expense of personal and political freedom, causing
problems among NATO countries, which fear another Cold War.
Regionalism
•
The breaking up of an area into autonomous regions, has caused
problems for some former Soviet states.
Balkanization
•
The breakup of an area into smaller
independent units and usually involves
some degree of hostility.
•
After World War II, Yugoslavia was
controlled by a dictator named Josip Broz
Tito. When Tito died in the 1980s, the
country began to unravel, and a civil war
ended with the break up of Yugoslavia into 6
different countries: Bosnia/Herzegovina,
Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia,
and Slovenia. A UN peacekeeping force led
by the US entered the area in the 1990s to
end atrocities perpetrated by Serbian forces
under the leader Slobodan Milosevic. Troops
are still in the area—all because of poorly
drawn boundaries over 50 years ago. Kosovo
is the newest country that has come about
because of this Balkanization
Yugoslavia
Centripetal Forces
 Might
be symbolized
through art, such as a
flag or painting.
 These
symbols of
nationalism are
sometimes called
national
iconography.
 During
the Olympics,
national
iconographies are
very evident.
Centrifugal AND Centripetal factors
A
religious or linguistic factor may be both centrifugal and centripetal
factor at the same time.
 In
countries that are theocracies, where one particular religion is
intertwined with the political structure, religion is a unifying
force. Many of the laws of the country are based on the principles
of the official religion.
 Theocracies
are common in the Muslim world. Countries like
Saudi Arabia, iran, and Afghanistan have many social laws that
are based on Islam.
 The
Vatican City is a Christian theocracy.
Supranationalism
A
method of extending state
borders through the
assistance and/or
establishment of other
organizations to further
economic and/or political
cooperation.
 Greatest
example of
supranational organization
is the European Union.
•
Using your personal device, find 3 to 4 examples of the concepts we have
discussed today…
•
Be ready to share your examples with the class…
•
Spend time over the next couple of days studying these
specific terms because it is quite likely that you will have a quiz over them
the next class period.
European Union

1957 – In its beginnings it was known as the European Economic Community (EEC).

The EU today is 27 European states united into one organized unit for the purpose of
increasing individual strength through collective effort.

Headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium.

Most countries have converted their currency to the Euro, and today it has surpassed the
value of the US dollar.

Traveling to Europe meant exchanging currencies when you crossed every border, now
you only need to do this once. (Great Britain still uses the pound, and Denmark still uses
the krone).

Passport control is also no longer regulated at each border point.

Trade is much easier among the countries as well.
North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA)
 Another
example of supranationalism is NAFTA. (United
States, Canada and Mexico)
 NAFTA
keeps prices low by facilitating the importation of goods
from Mexico, where they can be made at a relatively low cost.
 It
also opens markets to companies in all three countries.
 Some
(organized labor unions) contested that the agreement
would cost U.S. workers their jobs.
Other Supranational organizations
 NATO
– North Atlantic Treaty Organization, combining the
military might, the countries of NATO can effectively oppose
their common enemy, when it was first organized that was the
Soviet Union.
 OPEC
– Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
 APEC
– Asia-pacific Economic Cooperation
 ECOWAS
 And
– Economic Community of West African States
of course the UN – United Nations
Historical Geography of the US

Immigrant state – compromised primarily of immigrants and their
descendants.
 Settlement began in the early 1600s and continues today, with people coming from
around the world.
 Colony of Great Britain until the Revolutionary War in the late 1700s.
 Gaining independence the first U.S. government was a confederation – or loose
grouping of states for a common purpose. The Articles of Confederation did not
work with the states having too much power, and the federal government didn’t
have enough, tax collection and national defense were just not good enough and the
federal government could not financially support itself.
 Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia resulting in a Constitution
that granted more power to the federal government.
 We are considered a Federal System where the ultimate power rests in the
hands of the national government with power going to the states to
establish laws but cannot supersede the authority of the national
government. The power is shared. A unitary style of government, where
all decisions are made by the national government.
U.S. Government
•
Representative form of government where leaders are elected
from the individual states to be representatives and senators in
two houses of Congress. 100 Senators and 435 Representatives.
•
A senator serves their entire state whereas the representatives serve
their districts.
•
These districts are reapportioned every 10 years based on the results of
the census. Therefore urban areas with a higher population density have
smaller districts, while rural districts are larger.
•
Gerrymandering – is the redrawing of political boundaries for
political gain by one of the major political powers. This is illegal,
but even as late as the 1990s, two congressional districts in the US, one
North Carolina and one in California were questioned on the basis of
gerrymandering.
• Frontier
– an area that is not yet under the control of a
state but where people from the state are migrating.
• Manifest
Destiny – the belief that the U.S. government
was meant to rule the land between the Atlantic Ocean
and the Pacific Ocean. It was used to justify the
acquisition of new lands by any means from the Native
Americans.
•
Using your personal device, find 3 to 4 examples of the concepts we have
discussed today…
•
Be ready to share your examples with the class…
•
Spend time over the next couple of days studying these
specific terms because it is quite likely that you will have a quiz over them
the next class period.
Issues of Geopolitics
 Boundary
disputes
Kashmir region of India, Pakistan, and China has been
contested because of ethnic and religious differences since
India’s independence in 1947 4 wars have been fought over
the territory, 3 with Pakistan and 1 with China. It is the
source of many rivers that flow into both India and Pakistan,
so it is over control of transportation and water resources.
If you look at a map of the Middle East today, you will see a
small region near the border of Iraq and Kuwait that some
suggest is still in dispute today. It was settled by the UN in
1994 and current maps today show this decision.
Ethnicity and Culture – Concepts and Issues
Ethnicity – tied to cultural traditions of a
group of people.
Race – biological characteristic of a group.
Ethnicity tends to promote nationalism
more than race and it tends to correspond
with nationhood.
Both race, culture, religion and language
are used to assist in defining ethnic groups.
Globalization

Globalization – the movement toward one common culture across the world.

Interconnections of ideas, goods and information around the Earth.

Popular culture is spread quickly in today’s world. EX: The McDonaldnization of the
world.

Because of globalization, English has become the world’s lingua franca where most world
business is done in English. All airline pilots communicate in English.
Cultural Shatterbelt
•
An area where people are caught between the globalization or modernization
of their culture and their traditional cultural identity.




Vietnam
Lebanon
Israel
Cultural battles between traditional fundamental groups and modern more
moderate groups has driven away much-needed tourism income and dividing a
countries that are in need of centripetal forces.
Cultural Vocabulary
•
Cultural Adaptation such as English being used worldwide means that local traditions are dying
out and new ones are emerging. Ex: Cellphones and text messaging has created a new form of
cultural communication among today’s youth.
•
Acculturation – involves the adaptation to a new culture from the old culture of the original
location (ethnic homeland). Usually takes about 3 generations.
•
Assimilation – process gives immigrants a sense of belonging to their new country and usually
occurs within one individuals lifespan whereas acculturation is spread over several generations.
•
Chain Migration – Immigrants already here save money and send it to family members so they
can come too.
•
Voluntary segregation – owing to language barriers where newly arrived immigrants who do not
speak English often choose to live in an area where they can communicate and feel comfortable
culturally.
•
Ethnic neighborhoods – share the same language and sometimes dominant religion.
•
Ethnic landscape – the evidence of an ethnicity on the features of the landscape. Murals on
public buildings.
•
Plural society – characterized by 2 or more ethnicities living in the same area but keeping their
own identity and characteristics.
•
Using your personal device, find 3 to 4 examples of the concepts we have
discussed today…
•
Be ready to share your examples with the class…
•
Spend time over the next couple of days studying these
specific terms because it is quite likely that you will have a quiz over them
the next class period.
NOW IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO
STUDY!
 It
is not something you can do the night before.
 Set
aside a time each evening over the next days before the
test….starting tonight.
 Find
a quiet place, separate your notes and vocabulary to
coincide with each other, and only study a section each night,
adding another section the following night.
The more organized and more legible your notes the less work
your brain has to do to learn the concepts. Lack of
organization and illegible handwriting makes your brain have
to work harder and take more steps to learn. You get tired
quicker while studying.