Chapter 8

Political

Geography

Key Issue #1

Where are states located?

Defining States & Development of the

State Concept

Problems of defining states

Korea: one state or two?

China & Taiwan: one state or two?

Western Sahara

Varying sizes of states

Development of the state concept

Ancient & medieval states

Colonies

Key Words

State – an area organized into a political unit and ruled by an

established government that has control over its internal and

foreign affairs.

Sovereignty – independence from control of its internal

affairs by other states.

Korea – One State or Two? Korea was a colony of Japan for many years, until the end of

WWII.

The US and Soviet Union divided Korea into two zones after WWII as part of the Cold War.

Both Superpowers established governments and made the divisions permanent.

The countries went to war in the 1950’s with no one winning.

Both governments are committed to reunification.

N. Korea’s leader and the decision to build nuclear weapons has minimized the possibility.

North and South Korea

Nighttime satellite image shows the contrasting amounts of electric

lighting in South Korea compared to North Korea.

China and Taiwan: One state or two?

China claims that Taiwan is not a sovereign state. Taiwan

agreed until the 1990’s.

When the communists took over China, the Nationalists

leaders of China fled to Taiwan. They set up the government

there hoping to return to power in China.

When the US recognized the communists government as the

true rulers of China, Taiwan became the largest state not a

member of the UN.

Western Sahara (Sahrawi Republic)

Most African countries believe the Western Sahara is a

sovereign country, but Morocco lays claim that it is not.

After a UN cease fire agreement, Morocco controls most of

the land, however the Polisario Rebels control many parts of

the desert (about 1/5th of the country).

Two cities in Morocco – Cueta and Melilla are controlled by

Spain.

Varying sizes of states

Russia largest state by size, followed by China, Canada, US

and Brazil.

There are also several microstates. These are countries

with very small areas.

Smallest microstate in the UN is Monaco. The Vatican City is

not in the UN.

United Nations Members

Fig. 8-1: The UN has increased from 51 members in 1945 to 192 in 2007.

Sovereign

States

Antarctica

National

Claims

Fig. 8-2: Antarctica is the only

large land mass that

is not part of a state,

but several countries

claim portions of it.

Tonga

Tonga is a microstate, including 102,000 inhabitants and 169 islands.

Development of the State Concept

The state concept is new phenomena in the course of human

history.

Territories used to be categorized by city-state concept,

empires or tribes.

The development of the state takes place over time.

Ancient States

Civilization began in the area known as the Fertile Crescent,

especially in land between two rivers (Tigris and Euphrates).

This land is known as Mesopotamia.

Here the city-state concept was developed. Walls were built

around each city to protect from invaders. Every city was

ruled independently.

Egypt also evolved near this time as a larger form of empire.

A common religious belief led to this ethnic identity. This

empire lasted from 3000 B.C. (B.C.E.) to 400 B.C.

The Fertile Crescent

Fig. 8-3: The Fertile Crescent was the site of early city-states and a succession of ancient empires.

Early European States

The Roman Empire led to the emergence of the first

European states.

Their large empire led to the formation of the republics

where areas were locally controlled and then overseen by the

Roman emperors.

As the empire fell, the local rulers then joined forces over

time and several wars to create the modern kingdoms of the

medieval period.

Colonies

A colony is a territory that is legally tied to another country.

Some colonies are controlled completely by their colonial

power, in other cases the colonial power only controls the

military and foreign policy.

Colonialism is the process by which one country establishes

political, economic and cultural principals on another

territory.

There three basic reasons for colonialism

Promote Christianity

Obtain Resources

Military and power status.

Colonial Practices

Every country tried a different approach to colonialism.

French tried to assimilate the upper-class.

The British created different governments at different places

depending on the goal for every area.

The fighting over colonies was one of the major reasons for

World War I and eventually World War II. After World War II

most colonies achieved a measure of independence.

Colonial Possessions, 1914

Fig. 8-4: By the outbreak of World War I, European states held colonies throughout the world,

especially throughout Africa and in much of Asia.

Image of British Colonialism

An 1840 painting of Queen Victoria receiving an emissary from Africa.

Few Remaining Colonies

Most remaining colonies are small islands in the Pacific

Ocean or the Caribbean Sea.

When the British returned Honk Kong to China in 1997 and

Portugal returned Macao to China in 1999, the largest

colony is Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico has over 4 million inhabitants. They have

rejected previous attempts for statehood.

The smallest colony is Pitcarin Island. They have 54 people

and are controlled by the British. They were formed after a

famous mutiny on the Bounty.

Colonial Possessions, 2006

Fig. 8-5: Most of the remaining colonies are small islands in the Pacific or Caribbean.

Maps of the World

Color code these maps as you would like with Blue for

bodies of water.

With a Star, classify the capital cities in as many countries as

you can. (Some countries to small on the maps)

Name Continents and Oceans.

Title all Maps.

Extra Credit – Name Mountain Ranges and Major Rivers.

Key Issue #2

Why do Boundaries Cause Problems

Boundaries & Boundary Problems

of States

Shapes of states

Five basic shapes

Landlocked states

Types of boundaries

Physical boundaries

Cultural boundaries

Boundaries inside states

Unitary & federal states

Trend toward federal government

Electoral geography

African

States

Fig. 8-6: Southern, central, and

eastern Africa include

states that are compact,

elongated, prorupted,

fragmented, and

perforated.

Shapes of States

Compact States – Efficient

They are small and easy to communicate.

Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda

Prorupted States – Access or Disruption

A compact state with a large projecting extension .

DRC, Namibia

Shapes cont….

Elongated States – Potential Isolation

Long and Narrow

Chile is the best example.

Italy

Fragmented States – Problematic

Any country where the land is not contiguous

Indonesia

USA, Russia

Shapes cont…

Perforated States – South Africa

Where one country completely surrounds another.

African

States

Fig. 8-6: Southern, central, and

eastern Africa include

states that are compact,

elongated, prorupted,

fragmented, and

perforated.

India: The Tin Bigha Corridor

Fig. 8-7: The Tin Bigha corridor fragmented two sections of the country of Bangladesh. When

it was leased to Bangladesh, a section of India was fragmented.

Landlocked States

Lack a direct outlet to the sea

Critical because it provides access for trade.

European powers built railroads to connect the interior of

Africa to the ocean. However as war erupted, many railroads

were destroyed.

Some of Africa’s countries cooperate, but many do not for

tribal and racial reasons.

Types of Boundaries

In ancient times there were no boundaries but frontiers.

Boundaries bring states into direct contact.

There are two major types of boundaries

Physical

Cultural

Frontiers in the Arabian Peninsula

Fig. 8-8: Several states in the Arabian Peninsula are separated by frontiers rather

than precise boundaries.

Physical Boundaries

Mountain Boundaries – useful because they are permanent

and hardly inhabited.

Chile and Argentina almost fought a war

Desert Boundaries – also useful because they are hard to

cross and hardly inhabited. They are common in Africa and

Asia.

Water boundaries – most common used physical boundaries.

Were very good in defending in ancient times from invasion.

Problems exist because water boundaries can change over

time. Also on ocean or sea boundaries, where is the border.

Great Wall of China

The wall was built in the 3rd century B.C. and extended during the following century.

Cultural boundaries

Geometric Boundaries – are boundaries decided by

governments using maps.

Canada and the US.

Libya and Chad

Aozou Strip: a Geometric Boundary

Fig. 8-9: The straight boundary between Libya and Chad was drawn by European powers, and the

strip is the subject of controversy between the two countries.

Cultural boundaries continued.

Religious Boundaries – religions are often divided by

boundaries, but few times has the religion been the reason

for the boundaries. Britain divided Pakistan and India on the

basis of race. Ireland is another example.

Language boundaries – most European boundaries were

decided this way. Many of these boundaries were established

y the Treaty of Versailles.

Cyprus had to unite Greeks and Turks on their island after

they got independence from Britain.

Division of Cyprus

Fig. 8-10: Cyprus has been divided into Greek and Turkish portions since 1974.

Nicosia, Cyprus Checkpoint

Checkpoint between Greek and Turkish portions of Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus.

Boundaries Inside States

Two types of governments

Unitary – most power is in the central government

Federal – power divided between the central government and

local governments

Trends Towards a Federal Government

France has traditionally been a strong Unitary government,

but is giving more power to local communes.

Poland – switched from a unitary to a federal system after

the country got control from the communists.

Electoral Geography

US Presidents are elected in an electoral college process.

Gerrymandering, named after a Massachusetts governor,

creates electoral boundaries to benefit one part over another.

Gerrymandering is illegal, but they do not have to redraw

existing districts.

Gerrymandering

Florida & Georgia

Fig. 8-11: State legislature

boundaries were drawn

to maximize the

number of legislators

for Republicans in

Florida and Democrats

in Georgia.

Another example of Gerrymandering

Key Issue #3

Why do states cooperate with each other?

Cooperation among States

Political and military cooperation

The United Nations

Regional military alliances

Economic cooperation

The European Union

Political and Military Cooperation The United Nations was created after World War II to prevent

another World War.

The United Nations was not the first international organization,

the League of Nations was the first worldwide attempt.

The UN has 192 members currently.

The UN is in many police and peace keeping missions throughout

the world. The most powerful aspect of the UN is the security

council. The five permanent members of the Security Council are

France, China, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The UN is scrutinized by countries for their power and ability to

send troops.

Regional Military Alliances

Remnants of the Cold War still exist.

NATO was the alliance of pro democracy countries led by

the US and the UK. Their Soviet Union led counterpart was

known as the Warsaw Pact.

With the fall of the Soviet Union, the end of the Warsaw Pact

did not lead to the end of NATO. In fact NATO accepted

many of the former Warsaw pact countries.

NATO is becoming major political issue.

Pro NATO membership by former Soviet Union Members

has caused regional issues.

European Alliances, 1960 & 2007

Fig. 8-12: NATO and the European Union have expanded and accepted new members as the

Warsaw Pact and COMECON have disintegrated.

European

Alliances,

1960

European

Alliances,

2007

European Boundary Changes

Fig. 8-13: 20th century boundary changes in Europe, 1914 to 2007. Germany’s boundaries

changed after each world war and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

European Boundaries, 1914

European Boundaries, 1924

European Boundaries, 1989

European Boundaries, 2007

Other Regional Organizations

The Organization of American States (OAS) includes all 35

states in the Western Hemisphere. Cuba has been suspended

since 1962. Their headquarters is located in D.C.

The Organization for African Unity (OAU) has promoted the

end of colonialism. Their goal is the minority white run

governments.

The Commonwealth of Nations includes the UK and 53

other states that were once colonies of the UK.

Aerial Photos &

Cuban Missile

Crisis

Aerial photos showed the missile buildup in

Cuba in 1962

Soviet Ships in Cuban Military Port,

1962

Soviet Missile Transporters Cuba, 1962

Economic Cooperation

The Economy is now supplanting military power as an

indicator of strength. This allows Germany and Japan to rise

up in power and Russia to fall.

European Union

NAFTA

European Union

United all the countries economically. Created a single

currency that can be used throughout.

Created Free Trade and more stable currency.

Western Europe is now the world’s wealthiest market.

Former Communist Countries

and the EU.

Many former countries have asked to join the EU to increase

their economies.

Current EU members are worried that too many countries

could weaken the EU. Also many political issues are coming

up with their inclusion.

European

Alliances,

1960

European

Alliances,

2007

North American Free Trade Agreement

The North American Free Trade Agreement or

NAFTA is an agreement signed by the governments of the

United States, Canada, and Mexico creating a trilateral trade

bloc in North America.

The agreement came into force on January 1, 1994.

NAFTA remains controversial in American politics.

Key Issue #4

Terrorism

Terrorism by individuals and organizations

American terrorists

Attacks of September 11, 2001

Al-Qaeda

State support for terrorism

Afghanistan

Iraq

Iran

What is terrorism?

Terrorism is the systematic use of violence by a group in

order to intimidate a population or coerce a government into

granting its demands.

American Terrorists

Theodore J. Kaczynski, the Unabomber.

Timothy McVeigh and Oklahoma City

Texas Pilot in who crashed plane into IRS.

Americans who side with foreign terrorists.

Klu Klux Klan and other groups in the civil rights battle.

Extreme activist in any area.

Al-Qaeda

A terrorists network led by extreme fundamentalist ideas of

Islam.

Headed by Osama Bin Laden, but not a cohesive group.

Al-Qaeda is from the Arabic word for “the base.”

Operate in smaller cells.

September 11, 2001.

World Trade Center June, 2000

Ikonos satellite image of World Trade Center on June 30, 2000

World Trade Center Site September

15, 2001

World Trade Center, Sept. 11, 2001

World Trade

Center Sept. 11, 2001

United Flight 175 approaches Tower 2.

Tower 1 has already been hit by American

Flight 11.

World Trade

Center Sept. 11, 2001

United Flight 175 crashes into Tower 2.

World Trade Center

Topographic Map: Sept. 19, 2001

Fig. 8-14: Elevations above sea level are depicted in green; those below sea level are in red.

State support of Terrorism What do states do to support terrorism

Provide sanctuary for terrorists wanted by other countries.

Supply weapons, money and intelligence to terrorists.

Plan attacks using terrorists.

The US government and the UN have outlined terrorists groups.

The US considers the following countries to support terrorists.

Libya

Afghanistan

Iraq

Iran

Libya

After deposing the King of Libya in a military coup,

Muammar al-Qaddafi took power.

Qaddafi was known to supply money to terrorists.

These terrorists bombed a nightclub in Berlin.

Also terrorists stationed in Libya bombed Pan Am flight 103

over Lockerbie, Scotland.

Ethnic Groups in Southwest Asia

Fig. 8-15: Ethnic boundaries do not match country boundaries, especially in Iraq, Iran,

Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The mismatch has affected many of the conflicts in the

area.

Afghanistan

Known Al-Qaeda stronghold.

Taliban groups are also strong terrorists groups.

Use to have US support when they were fighting the Soviets

in the 1980’s.

A major UN action in Afghanistan to stop terrorists.

Iraq

Under Saddam Hussein, Iraq used terrorists groups to keep

Hussein in power and continue ethnic cleansing against Kurds

and smaller Islamic groups.

Future of Iraq is up in the air.

Satellite Image of Iraq

Fig. 8-1.1: This satellite image purported to show munitions bunkers in Taji, Iraq.

Satellite Image Close-ups

Fig. 8-1.2: Close-ups of alleged munitions bunkers in Taji, Iraq.

Ethnic Groups in Baghdad

Fig. 8-2.1: Many formerly mixed neighborhoods in Baghdad have been ethnically

cleansed through sectarian violence among Sunnis, Shiites, or others.

Tribes of Iraq

Fig. 8-2.2: Iraq includes about 150 distinct

traditional tribes.

Iran

With the lead of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran is

inching closer to become a nuclear power.

Also heavy fighting and protest have made Iran another

dangerous area of the world.

Other Countries

Yemen – an Al Qaeda base, terrorists plot on USS Cole.

Sudan – shelters Islamic terrorists, including Osama Bin

Laden.

Syria – supported Iraq’s terrorists leaders, as well as groups

from Iran, Libya and Palestine.

North Korea – developing a nuclear weapon.

Terrorist Groups

Write a one page summary of a UN recognized terrorist

group.

Due Monday.