MEGA/MOCA exam social studies flash cards elementary education multi-content

list and describe the five characteristics of a market economy

-Economic freedom- There is freedom of choice with respect to jobs, salaries, production, and price. -Economic incentives- A positive incentive is to make a profit. However, if the producer tries to make too high a profit, the consequences might be that no one purchases the item at that price. A negative incentive would be a drop in profits, causing the producer to decrease or discontinue production. A boycott, which might cause the producer to change business practices or policies, is also a negative economic incentive. -Competition- There is more than one producer for any given product. Consumers thereby have choices about what to buy, which are usually made based on quality and price. Competition is an incentive for a producer to make the best product at the best price. Otherwise, producers lose business to the competition. -Private ownership- Production and profits belong to an individual or to a private company, not to the government. -Limited government- government plays no role in the economic decisions of its individual citizens.

explain the reasons for the American Revolution

-England was remote yet controlling. By 1775, few Americans had ever been to England. They considered themselves American, not English -During the Seven Years' War (French and Indian War) from 1754-1763, Americans, including George Washington, served in the British army, but were treated as inferior -It was feared that the Anglican Church might try to expand in the colonies and inhibit religious freedom. -Heavy taxation such as the Sugar and Stamp Acts, which were solely for generating revenue for the grown, and business controls such as restricting trade of certain products to England only -The colonies had no official representation in the English Parliament and wanted to govern themselves -There were fears that Britain would block westward expansion and independent enterprise -Local government, established through elections by property holders, was already functioning

list and define the following classic forms of government: feudalism, classical republic, absolute monarchy, authoritarianism, dictatorship, autocracy, oligarchy, liberal democracy, and totalitarianism

-Feudalism- the rule of local lords who are loyal to the kind and control the lives and production of those who work on their land -Classical republic- representative democracy in which small groups of elected leaders represent the interests of the electorate. -Absolute monarchy- king or queen has complete control of the military and government -Authoritarianism- individual or group has unlimited authority and there's no system in place to restrain the power of the government -Dictatorship- those in power are not held responsible to the people -Autocracy- rule by one person (despot) who uses power tyrannically -Oligarchy- small, usually self-appointed elites rule -Liberal democracy- government based on the consent of the people that protects individual rights and freedoms from intolerance by the majority -Totalitarianism- all facets of the citizens' lives are controlled by the government

list the five themes of geography

-Location- This includes relative location (described in terms of surrounding geography such as a river, sea coast, or mountain) and absolute location (the specific point of latitude and longitude). -Place- This includes physical characteristics (deserts, plains, mountains, and waterways) and human characteristics (features created by humans, such as architecture, roads, religion, industries, and food and folk practices). -Human-environmental interaction- This includes human adaptation to the environment (using umbrellas when it rains), human modification of the environment (building terraces to prevent soil erosion), and human dependence on the environment for food, water, and natural resources. -Movement- Interaction through trade, migration, communications, political boundaries, ideas, and fashions. -Regions- This includes formal regions (cities, states, countries, other geographical organizations as defined by political boundaries), functional regions (defined by a common function or connection, such as a school district), and vernacular regions (informal divisions determined by perceptions or one's mental images, such as the "Far East").

define natural resources, renewable resources, nonrenewable resources, and commodities

-Natural resources- things provided by nature that have commercial value to humans, such as minerals, energy, timber, fish, wildlife, and the landscape. -Renewable resources- things that can be replenished, such as wind, solar radiation, tides, and water (with proper conservation and clean-up). Soil is renewable with proper conservation an management techniques, and timber can be replenished with replanting. Living resources such as fish and wildlife can replenish themselves if they are not overharvested. -Nonrenewable resources- those that cannot be replenished, including fossil fuels like oil and coal, and metal ores. These cannot be replaced or reused once they have been burned, although some of their products can be recycled. -Commodities- natural resources that have to be extracted and purified rather than created, such as mineral ores.

briefly define the four hemispheres, the North and South Poles, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles

-Northern Hemisphere- the area above, or north, of the equator -Southern Hemisphere- the area below, or south, of the equator -Western Hemisphere- the area between the North and South poles. It extends west from the Prime Meridian to the International Date Line. -Eastern Hemisphere- the area between the North and South Poles. It extends east from the Prime Meridian to the International Date Line. -North and South Poles- Latitude is measured in terms of the number of degrees north and south from the equator. The North Pole is located at 90°N latitude, while the South Pole is located at 90°S latitude. -Tropic of Cancer- the parallel, or latitude, 23½° north of the equator. Tropic of Capricorn- the parallel, or latitude, 23½° south of the equator. The region between these two parallels is the tropics. The subtropics is the area located between 23½° and 40° north and south of the equator. Arctic Circle- the parallel, or latitude, 66½° north of the equator. Antarctic Circle- the parallel, or latitude, 66½° south of the equator.

describe the six basic principles of the Constitution

-Popular Sovereignty- the people establish government and give power to it; the government can function only with the consent of the people -Limited Government- the Constitution specifies limits on government authority, and no official or entity is above the law -Separation of Powers- power is divided among three government branches: legislative (Congress), executive (President), and judicial (federal courts, including the Supreme Court) -Checks and Balances- enforces the separation of powers and ensures that each branch has the authority and ability to restrain the powers of the other two branches, preventing tyranny -Judicial Review- judges in the federal courts ensure that no act of government is in violation of the Constitution. If an act is unconstitutional, the judicial branch has the power to nullify it -Federalism- division of power between the central government and local governments, which limits the power of the federal government and allows states to deal with local problems

list and briefly describe the important events and groups related to the time leading up to the American Revolution

-Sons of Liberty- the protest group headed by Samuel Adams that incited the Revolution. -Boston Massacre- March 5, 1770, British soldiers fired on a crowd and killed five people. -Committees of Correspondence- set up throughout the colonies to transmit revolutionary ideas and create a unified response. -Boston Tea Party- December 6, 1773, Sons of Liberty dressed as Mohawks dumped tea from a British ship into the Boston harbor to protest the tea tax. The harsh British response further aggravated the situation. -First Continental Congress- held in 1774 to list grievances and develop a response, including boycotts. It was attended by all the colonies except for Georgia. -The Shot Heard Round The World- April, 1775, English soldiers on their way to confiscate arms in Concord passed through Lexington, Massachusetts and met the colonial militia called the Minutemen. A fight ensued. In Concord, a larger group of Minutemen forced the British to retreat.

list the three mechanisms established by the Employment Act of 1946 that gave primary responsibility for the maintenance of full employment to the federal government

-The Council of Economic Advisers (CEA)- Composed of a chair and two other members appointed by the President and approved by the Senate, this council assists the president with the development and implementation of U.S. economic policy. The Council members and their staff, located in the Executive Office, are professionals in economics and statistics who forecast economic trends and provide analysis based on evidence-based research. -The Economic Report of the President- This is presented every January by the President to Congress. Based on the work of the Council, the report recommends a program for maximizing employment, and may also recommend legislation. -Joint Economic Committee (JEC)- This is a committee composed of 10 members of the House and 10 members of the Senate that makes a report early each year on its continuous study of the economy. Study is conducted through hearings and research, and the report is made in response to the president's recommendations.

list the major events of the 1960s

-The Cuban Missile Crisis ('61)- stand off between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over a build up of missiles in Cuba. Eventually the Soviets stopped their shipments and a nuclear war was averted. -Assassinations of JFK ('63), Senator Robert Kennedy ('68), and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ('68) -Civil Rights Movement- protest marches held across the nation to draw attention to the plight of black citizens. From '64-'68, race riots and protests were held in over 100 cities. -Vietnam War ('64-'73)- resulted in a military draft. Heavy involvement of American personnel and money. There were also protests, particularly on college campuses. At Kent State several students were shot and killed by National Guardsmen. -Major legislation- Civil Rights Act, Clean Air Act, and Water Quality Act. -The 60s also saw the creation of the Peace Corps, Medicare, and the War on Poverty, in which billions were appropriated for education, urban redevelopment, and public housing.

identify the major deities of Greek and Roman mythology

-Zeus/Jupiter- head of the pantheon, god of the sky -Hera/Juno- wife of Zeus/Jupiter, goddess of marriage -Poseidon/Neptune- god of the seas -Demeter/Ceres- goddess of grain -Apollo- god of the sun, law, music, archery, healing, and truth -Artemis/Diana- goddess of the moon, wild creatures, and hunting -Athena/Minerva- goddess of civilized life, handicrafts, and agriculture -Hephaestus/Vulcan- god of fire, blacksmith god -Aphrodite/Venus- goddess of love and beauty -Ares/Mars- god of war -Dionysus/Bacchus- god of wine and vegetation -Hades/Pluto- god of the underworld and the dead -Eros/Cupid- minor god of love -Hestia/Vesta- goddess of the hearth or home -Hermes/Mercury- minor god of gracefulness and swiftness

Explain the difference between a globe and map projections

A globe is the only accurate representation of the earth's size, shape, distance, and direction since it, like the earth, is spherical. The flat surface of a map distorts these elements. To counter this problem, mapmakers use a variety of "map projections," a system for representing the earth's curvatures on a flat surface through the use of a grid that corresponds to lines of latitude and longitude. Some distortions are still inevitable, though, so mapmakers make choices based on the map scale, the size of the area to be mapped, and what they want the map to show. Some projections can represent a true shape or area, while others may be based on the equator and therefore become less accurate as they near the poles. In summary, all maps have some distortion in terms of the shape or size of features of the spherical earth.

define humid continental climate, prairie climate, subtropical climate, and marine climate

A humid continental climate is one that has four seasons, including a cold winter and a hot summer, and sufficient rainfall for raising crops. Such climates can be found in the United States, Canada, and Russia. The best farmlands and mining areas are found in these countries. Prairie climates, or steppe regions, are found in the interiors of Asia and North America where there are dry flatlands (prairies that receive 10-20 inches of rain per year). These dry flatlands can be grasslands or deserts. Subtropical climates are very humid areas in the tropical areas of Japan, China, Australia, Africa, South America, and the United States. The moisture, carried by winds traveling over warm ocean currents, produces long summers and mild winters. It is possible to produce a continuous cycle of a variety of crops. A marine climate is one near or surrounded by water. Warm ocean winds bring moisture, mild temperatures year round, and plentiful rain. These climates are found in Western Europe and parts of the United States, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, and Australia.

list some of the keynotes of the Andrew Jackson presidency

A number of important milestones occurred in American history during the presidency of Andrew Jackson, including: -Jackson's election is considered the beginning of the modern political party system and the start of the democratic party -Jeffersonian Democracy, a system governed by middle and upper class educated property holders, was replaced by Jacksonian Democracy, a system that allowed universal white male suffrage. -The Indian Removal Act of 1830 took Natives out of territories that whites wanted to settle, most notably with the Trail of Tears that removed Cherokees from Georgia and relocated them to Oklahoma. -The issue of nullification, the right of states to nullify any federal laws they thought unconstitutional, came to a head over tariffs. However, a strong majority vote in Congress supporting the Tariff Acts cemented the policy that states must comply with federal laws

compare and contrast a physical map, a political map, a topographic map, and a topological map

A physical map is one that shows natural features such as mountains, rivers, lakes, deserts, and plains. Color is used to designate the different features. A topographic map is a type of physical map that shows the relief and configuration of a landscape, such as hills, valleys, fields, forest, roads, and settlements. It includes natural and human-made features. A topological map is one on which lines are stretched or straightened for the sake of clarity, but retain their essential geometric relationship. This type of map is used, for example, to show the routes of a subway system. A political map uses lines for state, county, and country boundaries; points or dots for cities and towns; and various other symbols for features such as airports and roads.

describe the war of 1812

A war between Britain and France caused blockades that hurt American trade and caused the British to attack American ships and impress sailors on them. An embargo against France and Britain was imposed by Jefferson, but rescinded by Madison with a renewed demand for respect for American sovereignty. However, Britain became more aggressive and war resulted. Native Americans under the leadership of Tecumseh sided with the British. The British captured Washington, D.C., and burned the White House, but Dolly Madison had enough forethought to save priceless American treasures such as the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington. Most battles, however, came to a draw. As a result, in 1815, when the British ended the war with France, the negotiated for peace with the United States as well under the Treaty of Ghent. A benefit of the war was that it motivated Americans to become more self-sufficient due to increased manufacturing and fewer imports.

explain why the 1920s were called the Decade of Optimism despite serious problems

After World War I , Warren Harding ran for president on the slogan "return to normalcy" and concentrated on domestic affairs, The public felt optimistic because life improved due to affordable automobiles from Henry Ford's mass production system, better roads, electric lights, airplanes, new communication systems, and voting rights for women (19th amdmt, 1920). Radio and movies helped develop a national culture. For the first time, the majority of Americans lived in cities. Young people shortened dresses and haircuts, and smoked and drank in public despite Prohibition (18th amdmt, 1919). Meantime, the Russian Revolution caused a Red Scare that strengthened the already strong Ku Klux Klan that controlled some states' politics. In 1925, the Scopes trial in Tennessee convicted a high school teacher for presenting Darwinian theories. The Teapot Dome scandal rocked the Harding administration. After Harding died in 19123, Calvin Coolidge became president. He was followed by Herbert Hoover, a strong proponent of capitalism under whom unregulated business led to 1929 stock crash.

list the major programs and events that resulted from the Cold War in the late 1940s and early 1950s

After World War II, the Soviet Union kept control of Eastern Europe, including half of Germany. Communism spread around the world. Resulting fears led to: -The Truman Doctrine (1947)- a policy designed to protect free peoples everywhere against oppression (the United States' justification for going to fight communism in other countries) -The Marshall Plan (1948)- devoted $12 bil to rebuild Western Europe and strengthen its defenses -The Organization of American States (1948)- established to bolster democratic relations in the Americas -Berlin Blockade (1948-49)- Soviets tried to starve out West Berlin, so the U.S. provided massive supply drops by air -The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (1949)- formed to militarily link the U.S. and western Europe so that an attack on one was an attack on both -The Korean War (1950-53)- divided the country into the communist North and the democratic South -The McCarthy era (1950-54)- Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin held hearings on supposed Communist conspiracies that ruined innocent reputations and led to the blacklisting of suspected sympathizers in the government, Hollywood, and the media.

Name some of the most famous speeches in American history that defined government policy, foreign relations, and the American spirit

Among the best-known speeches and famous lines known to modern Americans are the following: 1. The Gettysburg Address- Made by Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, it dedicated the battleground's cemetery. 2. The Fourteen Points- Made by Woodrow Wilson on January 18, 1918, this outlined Wilson's plans for peace and the League of Nations. 3. Address to Congress- Made by Franklin Roosevelt on December 8, 1941, it declared war on Japan and described the attack on Pearl Harbor as "a day which will live in infamy." 4. Inaugural Address- Made by John F. Kennedy on January 20, 1961, it contained the famous line: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." 5. Berlin Address- Made by John F. Kennedy on June 26, 1963, it contained the famous line "Ich bin ein Berliner," which expressed empathy for West Berliners and their conflict with the Soviet Union. 6. "I Have A Dream" and "I See The Promised Land"- made by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on August 28, 1963 and April 3, 1968, respectively, these speeches were hallmarks of the Civil Rights Movement. 7. Brandenburg Gate speech- Made by Ronald Reagan on June 12, 1987, this speech was about the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. It contained the famous line "Tear down this wall."

list the types of knowledge students should acquire from social studies in regards to cultures and community relations

An important part of social studies, whether anthropology, sociology, history, geography, or political science, is the study of local and world cultures, as well as individual community dynamics. Students should be able to: -Identify values held by their own culture and community -Identify values held by other cultures and communities -Recognize the influences of other cultures on their own culture -Identify major social institutions and their roles in the students' communities -Understand how individuals and groups interact to obtain food, clothing, and shelter -Understand the role of language, literature, the arts, and traditions in a culture -Recognize the role of media and technology in cultures, particularly in the students' own cultures -Recognize the influence of various types of government, economics, the environment, and technology, on social systems, and cultures -Evaluate the effectiveness of social institutions in solving problems in a community or culture -Examine changes in population, climate, and production, and evaluate their effects on the community or culture

list specific knowledge gained from the various disciplines of social studies, such as anthropology, sociology, economics, political science, civics, government, and geography

Anthropology and sociology provide an understanding of how the world's many cultures have developed and what these cultures and their values have to contribute to society. Sociology, economics, and political science provide an understanding of the institutions in society and each person's role within social groups. These topics teach the use of charts, graphs, and statistics. Political science, civics, and government teach how to see another person's point of view, accept responsibility, and deal with conflict. They also provide students with an understanding of democratic norms and values, such as justice and equality. Students learn how to apply these norms and values in their community, school, and family. Economics teaches concepts such as work, exchange (buying, selling, and other trade transactions), production of goods and services, the origins of materials and products, and consumption. Geography teaches students how to use maps, globes, and locational and directional terms. It also provides them with an understanding of spatial environments, landforms, climate, world trade and transportation, ecological systems, and world cultures.

Define cartography and describe how maps are made

Cartography is the art and science of mapmaking. Maps of local areas were drawn by the Egyptians as early as 1300 BC, and the Greeks began making maps of the known world in the 6th century BC. Cartography eventually grew into the field of geography. The first step in modern mapmaking is a survey. This involves designating a few key sites of known elevation as benchmarks to allow for measurement of other sites. Aerial photography is then used to chart the area by taking photos in sequence. Overlapping photos show the same area from different positions along the flight line. When paired and examined through a stereoscope, the cartographer gets a three-dimensional view that can be made into a topographical map. In addition, a field survey (on the ground) is made to determine municipal borders and place names. The second step is to compile the information and electronically draft a map based on the collected data. The map is then reproduced or printed.

describe the three main types of map projections

Conical- This type of projection superimposes a cone over the sphere of the earth, with two reference parallels secant to the globe and intersecting it. There is no distortion along the standard parallels, but distortion increases further from the chosen parallels. A Bonne projection is an example of a conical projection, in which the areas are accurately represented but the meridians are not on a true scale. Cylindrical- This is any projection in which meridians are mapped using equally spaced vertical lines and circles of latitude (parallels) are mapped using horizontal lines. A Mercator's projection is a modified cylindrical projection that is helpful to navigators because it allows them to maintain a constant compass direction between two points. However, it exaggerates areas in high latitudes. Azimuthal- This is a stereographic projection onto a plane so centered at any given point that a straight line radiating from the center to any other point represents the shortest distance. This distance can be measured to scale.

explain how coral reefs form and define the three types of reefs

Coral reefs are formed from millions of tiny, tube-shaped polyps, an animal life form encased in tough limestone skeletons. Once anchored to a rocky surface, polyps eat plankton and miniscule shellfish caught with poisonous tentacles near the mouth. Polyps use calcium carbonate absorbed from chemicals given off by algae to harden their body armor and cement themselves together in fantastic shapes of many colors. Polyps reproduce through eggs and larvae, but the reef grows by branching out shoots of polyps. There are three types of coral reef: -fringing reef- reef that surrounds, or "fringes," an island -barrier reef- over centuries, fringe reefs grow so large that islands sink down from their weight. The reef becomes a barrier around the island. Water trapped between the island and the reef is called a lagoon. -atolls- eventually sinking islands go under, leaving the coral reef alone around the lagoon.

list some of the most important documents in United States history and government

Declaration of Independence (1776) Articles of Confederation (1777) Constitution (1787) and Bill of Rights (1791) The Northwest Ordinance (1787) The Federalist Papers (1787-88) George Washington's Inaugural Address (1789) and Farewell Address (1796) The Alien and Sedition Act (1798) The Louisiana Purchase Treaty (1803) The Monroe Doctrine (1823) and Missouri Compromise (1830) The Compromise of 1850 The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) The Homestead Act (1862) The Emancipation Proclamation (1863) The agreement to purchase Alaska (1866) The Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890) Theodore Roosevelt's Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1905) The Social Security Act (1935) and other acts of the New Deal in the 1930s; the Truman Doctrine (1947); The Marshall Plan (1948) The Civil Rights Act (1964)

define delegated, expressed, implied, inherent, reserved, and exclusive powers as they relate to national and state powers

Delegated- powers given to bodies of government by the Constitution, including expressed/enumerated powers, implied powers, and inherent powers. Expressed/enumerated- powers specifically spelled out in the Constitution Implied- powers not expressly stated but reasonably suggested by the expressed powers Inherent- powers not expressed by the Constitution but ones that national governments have historically possessed, such as granting diplomatic recognition Reserved- powers not granted to the national government, but not denied to the states Exclusive- powers reserved to the national government, including concurrent powers

outline the national, concurrent, and state powers of government

National- this level can coin money, regulate interstate and foreign trade, raise and maintain armed forces, declare war, govern United States territories and admit new states, and conduct foreign relations Concurrent- this level can levy and collect taxes, borrow money, establish courts, define crimes and set punishments, and claim private property for public use State- this level can regulate trade and business within the state, establish public schools, pass license requirements for professionals, regulate alcoholic beverages, conduct elections, and establish local governments

define economics and the two kinds of economies

Economics is the study of the buying choices that people make, the production of goods and services, and how our market system works. The two kinds of economies are command and market. In a command economy, the government controls what and how much is produced, the methods used for production, and the distribution of goods and services. In a market economy, producers make decisions about methods and distribution on their own. These choices are based on what sells and brings profit in the marketplace. In a market economy, consumers ultimately affect these decisions by choosing whether or not to buy certain goods and services. The U.S. has a market economy.

identify the characteristics of "essential questions" used in the learning process

Essential questions for learning include those that: -Ask for evaluation, synthesis, and analysis (highest levels of Bloom's taxonomy) -Seek information that is important to know -Are worth the student's awareness -Result in enduring understanding -Tend to focus on the questions "why?" or "how do we know this information?" -Are more open-ended and reflective in nature -Often address interrelationships or lend themselves to multi-disciplinary investigations -Spark curiosity and a sense of wonder, and invite investigation and activity -Can be asked over and over in a variety of instances -Encourage related questions -Have answers that may be extended over time -Seek to identify key understandings -Engage students in real life applied problem solving -May not be answerable without a lifetime of investigation and maybe not even then

describe inquiry-based learning

Facilitated by a teacher who models, guides, and poses a started question, inquiry-based learning is a process in which students are involved in their learning. This process involves formulating questions, investigating widely, and building new understanding and meaning. This combination of steps asks students to think independently, and enables them to answer their questions with new knowledge, develop solutions, or support a position or point of view. In inquiry-based learning activities, teachers engage students, ask for authentic assessments, require research using a variety of resources (books, interviews, internet etc) and involve students in cooperative interaction. all of these require the application of processes and skills. Consequently, new knowledge is usually shared with others, and may result in some type of action. inquiry-based learning focuses on finding a solution to a question or problem, whether it is a matter of curiosity, a puzzle, a challenge, or a disturbing confusion.

describe the skills and materials students must have to be successful in a social studies source

For classes in history, geography, civics/government, anthropology, sociology, and economics, the goal is for students to explore issues and learn key concepts. Social studies help improve communication skills in reading and writing, but students need sufficient literacy skills to be able to understand specialized vocabulary, identify key points in text, differentiate between fact and opinion, relate information across texts, connect prior knowledge and new information, and synthesize information into meaningful knowledge. These literacy skills will be enhanced in the process, and will extend into higher order thinking skills that enable students to compare and contrast, hypothesize, draw inferences, explain, analyze, predict, construct, and interpret. Social studies classes also depend on a number of different types of materials beyond the textbook, such as nonfiction books, biographies, journals, maps, newspapers, photographs, and primary documents

describe some uses of geography

Geography involves learning about the world's primary physical and cultural patterns to help understand how the world functions as an interconnected and dynamic system. Combining information from different sources, geography teaches the basic patterns of climate, geology, vegetation, human settlement, migration, and commerce. Thus, geography is an interdisciplinary study of history, anthropology, and sociology. History incorporates geography in discussion of battle strategies, slavery (trade routes), ecological disasters (the Dust Bowl of the 1930's), and mass migrations. Geographic principles are useful when reading literature to help identify and visualize the setting, and also when studying earth science, mathematics (latitude, longitude, sun angle, population statistics, etc), and fine arts (song, art, and dance often reflect different cultures). Consequently, a good background in geography can help students succeed in other subjects as well.

list some of the areas that are covered by geography

Geography is connected to many issues and provides answers to many everyday questions. -Geography investigates global climates, landforms, economies, political systems, human cultures, and migration patterns. -Geography answers questions not only about where something is located, but also why it is there, how it got there, and how it is related to other things around it. -Geography explains why people move to certain regions (climate, availability of natural resources, arable land, etc). -Geography explains world trade routes and modes of transportation. -Geography identifies where various animals live and where various crops and forests grow. -Geography identifies and locates populations that follow certain religions. -Geography provides statistics on population numbers and growth, which aids in economic and infrastructure planning for cities and countries.

outline the major changes in industry in the latter part of the 1800s

Important events during this time of enormous business growth and large-scale exploitation of natural resources were: -Industrialization- Like the rest of the world, the United States' entry into the Industrial Age was marked by many new inventions and the mechanization of factories. -Railroad expansion- The Transcontinental Railroad was built from 1865 to 1969. Railroad tracks stretched over 35,000 miles in 1865, but that distance reached 240,000 miles by 1910. The raw materials and manufactured goods needed for the railroad kept mines and factories very busy. -Gold and silver mining- Mines brought many prospectors to the West from 1850 to about 1875, but mining corporations soon took over. -Cattle ranching- This was a large-scale enterprise beginning in the late 1860s, but by the 1880s open ranges were being fenced and plowed for farming and pastures. Millions of farmers moved into the high plains, establishing the "Bread Basket," which was the major wheat growing area of the country.

describe the colonization of Virginia, its effects, and the efforts of the Virginia Company

In 1585, Sir Walter Raleigh landed on Roanoke Island and sent Arthur Barlow to the mainland, which they named Virginia. Two attempts to establish settlements failed. The first permanent English colony was founded by Captain John Smith in Jamestown in 1607. The Virginia Company and the Chesapeake Bay Company successfully colonized other Virginia sites. By 1619, Virginia had a House of Burgesses. The crown was indifferent to the colony, so local government grew strong and tobacco created wealth. The First Families of Virginia dominated politics there for two centuries, and four of the first five United States presidents came from these families. The Virginia Company sent 24 Puritan families, known as Pilgrims, to Virginia on the Mayflower. In 1620, it landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts instead. The Plymouth Plantation was established and survived with the help of Natives. This is where the first Thanksgiving is believed to have occurred.

outline colonization efforts in Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania

In 1629, 400 Puritans arrived in Salem, which became an important port and was made famous by the witch trials in 1692. In 1628, the self-governed Massachusetts Bay Company was organized, and the Massachusetts Indians sold most of the land to the English. Boston was established in 1630 and Harvard University was established in 1636. Maryland was established by Lord Baltimore in 1632 in the hopes of providing refuge for English Catholics. The Protestant Majority, however, opposed this religious tolerance. Roger Williams was banished from Massachusetts in 1636 because he caused for separation of church and state. He established the Rhode Island colony in 1647 and had 800 settlers by 1650, including Ann Hutchinson and her "Antinomians," who attacked clerical authority. In 1681, Willian Penn received a royal charter for the establishment of Pennsylvania as a colony for Quakers. However, religious tolerance allowed immigrants from a mixed group of denominations, who prospered from the beginning.

explain the reason why there were two presidents and two vice presidents from 1972 to 1974

In a two-year time span, the United States had two presidents and two vice presidents. This situation resulted first from the resignation of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew in October of 1973 because of alleged kickbacks. President Richard M. Nixon then appointed House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford to be vice president. This was accomplished through Senate ratification, a process that had been devised after Harry Truman succeeded to the presidency upon the death of Franklin Roosevelt and went through nearly four years of his presidency without a vice president. Nixon resigned the presidency in August of 1974 because some Republican party members broke into Democratic headquarters at the Watergate building in Washington, DC, and the president participated in covering up the crime. Ford succeeded Nixon and had to appoint another vice president. He chose Nelson Rockefeller, former governor of New York.

describe the great depression and the dust bowl of the 1930s

In the 1920s, the rich got richer. After World War I, however, farmers were in a depression when foreign markets started growing their own crops again. Increased credit buying, bank war debts, a huge gap between rich and poor, and a belief that the stock market would always go up got the nation into financial trouble. The Stock Market Crash in October, 1929 that destroyed fortunes dramatized the downward spiral of the whole economy. Banks failed, and customers lost all their money. By 1933, 14 million were unemployed, industrial production was down to one-third of its 1929 level, and national income had dropped by half. Adding to the misery of farmers, years of breaking sod on the prairies without adequate conservation techniques caused the topsoil to fly away in great dust storms that blackened skies for years, causing deaths from lung disease and failed crops.

list the four types of federal taxes and give a brief description of each

Income taxes on individuals- This is a complex system because of demands for various exemptions and rates. Further, the schedule of rates can be lowered or raised according to economic conditions in order to stimulate or restrain economic activity. For example, a tax cut can provide an economic stimulus, while a tax increase can slow down the rate of inflation. Personal income tax generates about five times as much as corporate taxes. Rates are based on an individual's income, and range from 10-35%. Income taxes on corporations- The same complexity of exemptions and rates exist for corporations and individuals. Taxes can be raised or lowered according to the need to stimulate or restrain the economy. Excise taxes- These are taxes on specific goods such as tobacco, liquor, automobiles, gasoline, air travel, and luxury items, or on activities such as highway usage by trucks. Customs duties- These are taxes imposed on imported goods. They serve to regulate trade between the U.S. and other countries.

explain the importance of cross-cultural comparisons in world history instruction

It is important to make cross-cultural comparisons when studying world history so that the subject is holistic and not oriented to just western civilization. Not only are the contributions of civilizations around the world important, but they are also interesting and more representative or the mix of cultures present in the United States. It is also critical to the understanding of world relations to study the involvement of European countries and the United States in international commerce, colonization, and development. Trade routes from ancient times linked Africa, Asia, and Europe, resulting in exchanges and migrations of people, philosophies, and religions, as well as goods. While many civilizations in the Americas thrived and some became very sophisticated, many eventually became disastrously entangled in European expansion. The historic isolation of China and the modern industrialization of Japan have had huge impacts on relations with the rest of the world. The more students understand this history and its effects on the modern world, the better they will be able to function in their own spheres.

identify the following important 19th century American writers and their major works: James Fenimore Cooper, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Edgar Allen Poe, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman

James Fenimore Cooper- the first to write about Native Americans, the author of the Leatherstocking series which included The Last of the Mohicans and The Deerslayer. Ralph Waldo Emerson- essayist, philosopher, poet, leader of the Transcendentalist movement. Notable works include "Self-Reliance" and "The American Scholar." Nathaniel Hawthorne- novelist and short story writer, wrote The Scarlet Letter, The House of Seven Gables, "Young Goodman Brown," and "The Minister's Black Veil." Herman Melville- novelist, essayist, short story writer, poet who wrote Moby Dick, Billy Budd, and "Bartleby the Scrivener." Edgar Allen Poe- poet, literary critic, and master of the short story, especially horror and detective stories. Notable works include "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Pit and the Pendulum," "Annabel Lee," and "The Raven." Harriet Beecher Stowe- abolitionist and author of Uncle Tom's Cabin Henry David Thoreau- poet, naturalist, Transcendentalist who wrote Walden and Civil Disobedience. Walt Whitman- poet, essayist, journalist who wrote Leaves of Grass and "O Captain! My Captain!"

explain the importance of the following major Supreme Court cases: Marbury v. Madison, Dred Scott v Sandford, Brown v. Board of Education, and Miranda v. Arizona

Marbury v. Madison- 1803, this ruling established judicial review as a power of the Supreme Court. Dred Scott v. Sandford- 1857, this decision upheld property rights over human rights in the case of a slave who had been transported to a free state by his master but was still considered a slave. Brown v. Board of Education- 1954, the Court ruled that segregation was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause and that the "separate but equal" practice in education was unconstitutional. This decision overturned the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that permitted segregation if facilities were equal. Miranda v. Arizona- 1966, this ruling meant that reading of Miranda Rights to those arrested was the law. It ensured that confessions could not be obtained unlawfully and that citizen rights to fair trials and protection under the law would be upheld

compare and contrast marshes and swamps and the two major climates found in the high latitudes: tundra and taiga

Marshes and swamps are both wet lowlands. The water can be fresh, brackish, or saline. Both host important ecological systems with unique wildlife. There are, however, some major differences. Marshes have no trees and are always wet because of frequent floods and poor drainage that leaves shallow water. Plants are mostly grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, and herbs. Both taiga and tundra regions have many plants and animals, but they have few humans or crops because of their harsh climates. Taiga has colder winters and hotter summers than tundra because of its distance from the Arctic Ocean. Tundra is a Russian word describing marshy plain in an area that has a very cold climate but receives little snow. The ground is usually frozen, but is quite spongy when it is not. Taiga is the world's largest forest region, located just south of the tundra line. It contains huge mineral resources and fur-bearing animals.

define mountains, hills, foothills, valleys, plateaus, and mesas

Mountains are elevated landforms that rise fairly steeply from the earth's surface to a summit of at least 1000-2000 feet (definitions vary) above sea level. Hills are elevated landforms that rise 500-2000 feet above sea level. Foothills are a low series of hills found between hills or mountains. Valleys are a long depression located between hills or mountains. They are usually products of river erosion. Valleys can vary in terms of width and depth, ranging from a few feet to thousands of feet. Plateaus are elevated landforms that are fairly flat on top. They may be as high as 10000 feet above sea level and are usually next to mountains. Mesas are flat areas of upland. Their name is derived from the Spanish word for table. They are smaller than plateaus and often found in arid or semi-arid areas.

describe the three ways that mountains form

Mountains are formed by the movement of geologic plates, which are rigid slabs of rocks beneath the earth's crust that float on a layer of partially molten rock in the earth's upper mantle. As the plates collide, they push up the crust to form mountains. This process is called orogeny. There are three basic forms of orogeny: -If the collision of continental plates causes the crust to buckle and fold, a chain of folded mountains, such as the Appalachians, the Alps, or the Himalayas, is formed -If the collision of the plates causes a denser oceanic plate to go under a continental plate, a process called subduction; strong horizontal forces lift and fold the margin of the continent. A mountain range like the Andes is the result. -If an oceanic plate is driven under another oceanic plate, volcanic mountains such as those in Japan and the Philippines are formed

compare and contrast oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and canals

Oceans are the largest bodies of water on earth and cover nearly 71% of the earth's surface. There are five major oceans: Atlantic, Pacific (largest and deepest), Indian, Arctic, and Southern (surrounds Antarctica). Seas are smaller than oceans and are somewhat surrounded by land like a lake, but lakes are fresh water and seas are salt water. Seas include the Mediterranean, Baltic, Caspian, Caribbean, and Coral. Lakes are bodies of water in a depression on the earth's surface. Examples of lakes are the Great Lakes and Lake Victoria. Rivers are channeled flows of water that start out as springs or streams formed by runoff of rain or snow. Rivers flow from higher to lower ground, and usually empty into a sea or ocean. Great rivers of the world include the Amazon, Nile, Rhine, Mississippi, Ganges, Mekong, and Yangtze. Canals are artificial waterways constructed by humans to connect two larger water bodies. Examples of canals are Panama and Suez.

List the physical geographical features of the earth that a student would have to know to perform well in the National Geographic Bee

Organizing place names into categories of physical features helps students learn the type of information they need to know to compete in the National Geographic Bee. The physical features students need to be knowledgeable about are: -Continents (although we teach that there are seven, some geographers combine Europe and Asia into one continent, Eurasia) -The four major oceans -The highest and lowest points on each continent (Mt. Everest is the highest point in the world, the Dead Sea is the lowest) -The 10 largest seas (the Coral Sea is the largest) -The 10 largest lakes (the Caspian Sea is actually the largest lake) -The 10 largest islands (Greenland is the largest island) -The longest rivers (the Nile is the longest river) -Major mountain ranges -Earth's extremes such as the hottest (Ethiopia), the coldest (Antarctica), the wettest (India), and the driest (Atacama Desert) places; the highest waterfall (Angel Falls), the largest desert (Sahara), the largest canyon (Grand Canyon), the longest reef (Great Barrier Reef), and the highest tides.

describe the five stages of extending suffrage in the U.S.

Originally, the Constitution provided the right to vote only to white male property owners. Suffrage was extended through the following five stages: -In the early 1800s, states began to eliminate property ownership and tax payment qualifications -By 1810, there were no more religious tests for voting. In the late 1800s, the 15th Amendment protected citizens from being denied the right to vote because of race or color -In 1920, the 19th Amendment prohibited the denial of the right to vote because of gender, and women were given the right to vote -Passed in 1961 and ratified in 1964, the 23rd Amendment added the voters of the District of Columbia to the presidential electorate and eliminated the poll tax as a condition for voting in federal elections. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited disenfranchisement through literacy tests and various other means of discrimination. -In 1971, the 26th Amendment set the minimum voting age at 18

list the types of physical and cultural features of geographic locations and countries that are frequently studies

Physical features: -Vegetation zones, or biomes- forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra are the four main types of vegetation zones. -Climate zones- tropical, dry, temperate, continental, and polar are the five different types of climate zones. climate is the long-term average weather conditions of a place. Cultural features: -Population density- This is the number of people living in each square mile or kilometer of a place. It is calculated by dividing population by area. -Religion- This is the identification of the dominant religions of a place, whether Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Shinto, Taoism, or Confucianism. All of these originated in Asia. -Languages- This is the identification of the dominant or official language of a place. There are 12 major language families. The Indo-European family (including English, Russian, German, French, and Spanish) is spoken over the widest geographic area, but Mandarin Chinese is spoken by the most people.

compare and contrast physical and cultural geography and physical and political locations

Physical geography is the study of climate, water, and land, and their relationships with each other and humans. Physical geography locates and identifies the earth's surface features and explores how humans thrive in various locations according to crop and goods production. Cultural geography is the study of the influence of the environment on human behaviors as well as the effects of human activities such as farming, building settlements, and grazing livestock on the environment. Cultural geography also identifies and compares the features of different cultures and how they influence interactions with other cultures and the earth Physical location refers to the placement of the hemispheres and the continents. Political location refers to the division within continents that designate various countries. These divisions are made with borders, which are set according to boundary lines arrived at by legal agreements. Both physical and political locations can be precisely determined by geographical surveys and by latitude and longitude.

define plains, deserts, deltas, and basins

Plains are extensive areas of low-lying, flat, or gently undulating land, and are usually lower than the landforms around them. Plains near the seacoast are called lowlands. Deserts are large, dry areas that receive less that 10 inches of rain per year. They are almost barren, containing only a few patches of vegetation. Deltas are accumulations of silt deposited at river mouths into the seabed. They are eventually converted into very fertile, stable ground by vegetation, becoming important crop-growing areas. Examples include the deltas of the Nile, Ganges, and Mississippi River. Basins come in various types. They many be low areas that catch water from rivers; large hollows that dip to a central point and are surrounded by higher ground, as in the Donets and Kuznetsk basins in Russia; or areas of inland drainage in a desert when the water can't reach the sea and flows into lakes or evaporates in salt flats as a result. An example is the Great Salt Lake in Utah.

describe reconstruction and the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution

Reconstruction was the period form 1865 to 1877, during which the South was under strict control of the U.S. government. In March, 1867, all state governments of the former Confederacy were terminated, and military occupation began. Military commanders called for constitutional conventions to reconstruct the state governments, to which delegates were to be elected by universal male suffrage. After a state government was in operation and the state had ratified the 14th Amendment, its representatives were admitted to Congress. Three constitutional amendments from 1865 to 1870, which tried to rectify the problems caused by slavery, became part of the Reconstruction effort. The 13th Amendment declared slavery unlawful. The 14th Amendment made all persons born or naturalized in the country U.S. citizens, and forbade any state to interfere with their fundamental civil rights. The 15th Amendment made it against the law to deny individuals the right to vote because of their race. In his 1876 election campaign, President Rutherford B. Hayes promised to withdraw the troops, and did so in 1877.

list the distinguishing features of the renaissance and identify some of the most famous people of that era

Renaissance is the French word for rebirth, and is used to describe the renewal of interest in ancient Greek and Latin art, literature, and philosophy that occurred in Europe, especially Italy, from the 14th through the 16th centuries. Historically, it was also a time of great scientific inquiry, the rise of individualism, extensive geographical exploration, and the rise of secular values. Notable figures include: -Petrarch- an Italian scholar, writer, and key figure in northern Italy, where the Renaissance started and where chief patrons came from the merchant class. -Leonardo da Vinci- artist and inventor -Michelangelo and Raphael- artists -Desiderius Erasmus- applied historical scholarship to the New Testament and laid the seeds for the Protestant Reformation -Sir Thomas More- a lawyer and author who wrote Utopia -Nicolò Machiavelli- author of Prince and Discourses, which proposed a science of human nature and civil life -Shakespeare- a renowned playwright and poet

describe the research methods commonly associated with the social sciences

Social science research relies heavily on empirical research, which is original data gathering and analysis through direct observation or experiment. It also involves using the library and internet to obtain raw data, locate information, or review expert opinion. Because social science projects are often interdisciplinary, students may need assistance from the librarian to find related search terms. While arguments still exist about the superiority of quantitative versus qualitative research, most social scientists understand that research is an eclectic mix of the two methods. Quantitative research involves using techniques to gather data, which is information dealing with numbers and measurable values. Statistics, tables, and graphs are often the products. Qualitative research involves non-measurable factors, and looks for meaning in the numbers produced by quantitative research. Qualitative research takes data from observations and analyzes it to find underlying meanings and patterns of relationships

explain the benefits of social studies for students

Social studies cover the political, economic, cultural, and environmental aspects of societies not only in the past, as in the study of history, but also in the present and future. Students gain an understanding of current conditions and learn how to prepare for the future and cope with change through studying geography, economics, anthropology, government, and sociology. Social studies classes teach assessment, problem solving, evaluation, and decision making skills in the context of good citizenship. Students learn about scope and sequence, designing investigations, and following up with research to collect, organize, and present information and data. In the process, students learn how to search for patterns and their meanings in society and in their own lives. Social studies build a positive self-concept within the context of understanding the similarities and differences of people. Students begin to understand that they are unique, but also share many feelings and concerns with others. As students learn that each individual can contribute to society, their self-awareness builds self-esteem.

explain the need to verify the credibility of research sources and how to do so

Some sources are not reliable, so the student must have a means to evaluate the credibility of a source when doing research, particularly on the internet. The value of a source depends on its intended use and whether it fits the subject. For example, students researching election campaigns in the 19th century would need to go to historical documents, but students researching current election practices could use candidate brochures, television advertisements, and web sites. A checklist for examining sources might include: -Check the authority and reputation of the author, sponsoring group, and/or publication -Examine the language and illustrations for bias look for a clear, logical arrangement of information -If online, check out the associated links, archives, contact ability, and the date of last update

explain how to apply geography to the interpretation of the past

Space, environment, and chronology are three different points of view that can be used to study history. Events take place within geographic contexts. If the world is flat, then transportation choices are vastly different from those that would be made in a round world, for example. Invasions of Russia from the west have normally failed because of the harsh winter conditions, the vast distances that inhibit steady supply lines, and the number of rivers and marshes to be crossed, among other factors. Any invading or defending force anywhere must make choices based on consideration of space and environmental factors. For instance, lands may be too muddy or passages too narrow for certain equipment. Geography played a role in the building of the Panama Canal because the value of a shorter transportation route had to outweigh the costs of labor, disease, political negotiations, and equipment, not to mention a myriad of other effects from cutting a canal through an isthmus and changing a natural land structure as a result.

describe geography in terms of "spatial organization"

Spatial organization in geography refers to how things or people are grouped in a given space anywhere on earth. Spatial organization applies to the placement of settlements, whether hamlets, towns, or cities. These settlements are located to make the distribution of goods and services convenient. For example, in farm communities, people come to town to get groceries, to attend church and school, and to access medical services. It is more practical to provide these things to groups than to individuals. These settlements, historically, have been built close to water sources and agricultural areas. Lands that are topographically difficult, have few resources, or experience extreme temperatures do not have as many people as temperate zones and flat plains, where it is easier to live. Within settlements, a town or city will be organized into commercial and residential neighborhoods, with hospitals, fire stations, and shopping centers centrally located. All of these organizational considerations are spatial in nature.

explain the economic principles of supply and demand, scarcity and choice, and money and resources

Supply is the amount of a product or service available to consumers. Demand is how much consumers are willing to pay for the product or service. These two facets of the market determine the price of goods and services. The higher the demand, the higher the price the supplier will charge; the lower the demand, the lower the price. Scarcity is a measure of supply in that demand is high when there is a scarcity, or low supply, of an item. Choice is related to scarcity and demand in that when an item in demand is scarce, consumers have to make difficult choices. They can pay more for an item, go without it, or go elsewhere for the item. Money is the cash or currency available for payment. Resources are the items one can barter in exchange for goods. Money is also the cash reserves of a nation, while resources are the minerals, labor force, armaments, and other raw materials or assets a nation has available for trade.

identify the following social and religious leaders from the 19th century: Susan B. Anthony, Dorothea Dix, Frederick Douglass, William Lord Garrison, Horace Mann, Joseph Smith, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Brigham Young.

Susan B. Anthony- a women's rights and abolition activist, she lectured across the nation for suffrage, property and wage rights, and labor organizations for women Dorothea Dix- created the first American asylums for the mentally unwell and served as the Superintendent of Army Nurses during the War Between The States. Frederick Douglass- an escaped man who became an abolitionist leader, government official, and writer. William Lord Garrison- an abolitionist and the editor of the Liberator, the leading anti-slavery newspaper at the time. Joseph Smith- founded the Latter Day Saints in 1827 and wrote the Book of Mormon. Horace Mann- leader of the common school movement that made public education a right for all Americans. Elizabeth Cady Stanton- with Lucretia Mott, held the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, demanding women's suffrage and other reforms. Brigham Young- leader of the Mormons when they fled religious persecution, built Salt Lake City, and settled much of the West. The first Governor of Utah.

explain the difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution

The Articles of Confederation, designed to protect states' rights over those of the national government and sent to the colonies for ratification in 1777, had two major elements that proved unworkable. First, there was no centralized national government. Second, there was no centralized power to tax or regulate trade with other nations or between states. With no national tax, the revolution was financed by printing more and more money, which caused inflation. In 1787, a convention was called to write a new constitution. This constitution created the three branches of government with checks and balances of power: executive legislative, and judicial. It also created a bicameral legislature so that there could be equal representation for the states in the Senate and representation for the population in the House. Those who opposed the new constitution, the Anti-Federalists, wanted a bill of rights included. The Federalist platform was explained in the "Federalist Papers," written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. The Constitution went into effect in 1789, and the Bill of Rights was added in 1791.

outline the historical background to the Bill of Rights and briefly identify the 10 Amendments to the Constitution.

The Bill of Rights was based on principles established by the Magna Carta in 1215, the English Bill of Rights in 1688, and the Virginia Bill of Rights in 1776. In 1791, the federal government added 10 amendments to the Constitution that provided the following protections: 1. Freedom of speech, religion, peaceful assembly, petition of the government, and petition of the press 2. The right to keep and bear arms 3. No quartering of soldiers on private property without the consent of the owner 4. Regulations on government search and seizure 5. Provisions concerning prosecution 6. The right to a speedy, public trial and the calling of witnesses 7. The right to trial by jury 8. Freedom from excessive bail or cruel punishment 9. These rights are not necessarily the only rights 10. Powers not prohibited by the Constitution are reserved to the states

briefly describe the following historical events: Compromise of 1850, Fugitive Slave Law, Kansas-Nebraska Act, Bleeding Kansas, and the Dred Scott Case.

The Compromise of 1850, calling upon the principle of popular sovereignty, allowed those who lived in the Mexican cession to decide for themselves whether to be a free or slave territory. The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 allowed slave owners to go into free states to retrieve escaped slaves. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 to allow the lands from the Louisiana Purchase to settle the slavery issue by popular sovereignty. Outraged Northerners responded by defecting from the Whig party and starting the Republican party. Bleeding Kansas was the name applied to the state when a civil war broke out between pro- and anti- slavery advocates while Kansas was trying to formalize its statutes before being admitted as a state. The Dred Scott v. Sandford case was decided by the Supreme Court in 1857. It was ruled that Congress had no authority to exclude slavery from the territories, which in effect meant that the Missouri Compromise had been unconstitutional.

explain the United States currency system

The Constitution of 1787 gave the United States Congress the central authority to print or coin money and to regulate its value. Before this time, states were permitted to maintain separate currencies. The currency system is based on a modified gold standard. There is an enormous store of gold to back up United States currency housed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Paper money is actually Federal Reserve notes and coins. It is the job of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in the Treasury Department to design plates, special types of paper, and other security measures for bills and bonds. This money is put into general circulation by the Treasury and Federal Reserve Banks, and is taken out of circulation when worn out. Coins are made at the Bureau of the Mint in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.

describe the contributions of the early French explorers in the United States

The French never succeeded in attracting settlers to their territories. Those that came were more interested in the fur and fish trades than in forming colonies. Eventually, the French ceded their southern possessions and New Orleans, founded in 1718, to Spain. However, the French made major contributions to the exploration of the new continent, including: -Giovanni da Verrazano and Jaques Cartier explored the North American coast and the St. Lawrence Seaway for France. -Samuel de Champlain, who founded Quebec and set up a fur empire on the St. Lawrence Seaway, also explored the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island between 1604 and 1607. -Father Jacques Marquette, a Jesuit missionary, and Louis Joliet were the first Europeans to travel down the Mississippi in 1673. -Rene-Robert de la Salle explored the Great Lakes and the IL and MS Rivers from 1679-1682, claiming all the land from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Appalachians to the Rockies for France

explain the term "gilded age" and list the most infamous Robber Barons of the time

The Gilded Age, from the 1870s to 1890, was so named because of the enormous wealth and grossly opulent lifestyle enjoyed by a handful of powerful families. This was the time when huge mansions were built as summer "cottages" in Newport, Rhode Island, and great lodges were built in mountain areas for the pleasure of families such as the Vanderbilts, Ascots, and Rockefellers. Control of the major industries was held largely by the following men, who were Known as Robber Barons for their ruthless business practices and exploitation of workers: Jay Gould, railroads; Ander Carnegie, steel; John D. Rockefeller, Sr., oil; Philip Danforth Armour, meatpacking; J. P. Morgan, banking; John Jacob Astor, fur pelts; and Cornelius Vanderbilt, steamboat shipping. Of course, all of these heads of industry diversified and became involved in multiple business ventures. To curb cutthroat competition, particularly among the railroads, and to prohibit restrained trade, Congress created the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Neither of these, however, was enforced.

briefly describe the Industrial Revolution and its consequences

The Industrial Revolution started in England with the construction of the first cotton mill in 1733. Other inventions and factories followed in rapid succession. The steel industry grew exponentially when it was realized that cheap, abundant English coal could be used instead of wood for melting metals. The steam engine, which revolutionized transportation and work power, came next. Around 1830, a factory-based, technological era was ushered into the rest of Europe. Society changed from agrarian to urban. A need for cheap, unskilled labor resulted in the extensive employment and abuse of women and children, who worked up to 14 hours a day, 6 days a week in deplorable conditions. Expanding populations brought crowded, unsanitary conditions to the cities, and the factories created air and water pollution. Societies had to deal with these new situations by enacting child labor laws and creating labor unions to protect the safety of workers.

explain the importance of the louisiana purchase

The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 for $15 million may be considered Thomas Jefferson's greatest achievement as president. The reasons for the purchase were to gain the vital port of New Orleans, remove the threat of French interference with trade along the Mississippi River, and double the territory of the United States. The purchase both answered and raised new questions about the use of federal power, including the constitutionality of the president making such a purchase, Jefferson asking Congress for permission, and Jefferson taking the biggest Federalist action up to that time even though he was an Anti-Federalist. Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to map the new territory and find a means of passage all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Although there was no river that flowed all the way west, their expedition and the richness of the land and game started the great western migration of settlers.

describe the middle ages in european history, listing key events of the time

The Middle Ages, or Medieval times, was a period that ran from approximately 500-1500 AD. During this time, the centers of European civilization moved from the Mediterranean countries to France, Germany, and England, where strong national governments were developing. Key facts about this period include: -Roman Catholicism was the cultural and religious center of medieval life, extending into politics and economics -Knights, with their systems of honor, combat, and chivalry, were loyal to their king. Peasants, or serfs, served a particular lord and his lands. -Many universities were established that continue to function in modern times. -The Crusades, the recurring wars between European Christians and Middle Eastern Muslims, raged over the Holy Lands. -One of the legendary leaders was Charles the Great, or Charlemange, who created an empire across France and Germany around 800 AD -The Black Death swept across Europe between 1347 and 1350, leaving between one third and one half of the population dead.

explain the effects of the Progressive Movement on foreign affairs

The Progressive Era, which was the time period from the 1890s to the 1920s, got its name from progressive, reform-minded political leaders who wanted to export a just and rational social order to the rest of the world while increasing trade with foreign markets. Consequently, the U.S. interfered in a dispute between Venezuela and Britain. America invoked the Monroe Doctrine and sided with Cuba in its independence struggle against Spain. The latter resulted in the Spanish-American wars in 1898 that ended with Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam becoming American protectorates at the same time that the U.S. was annexing Hawaii. In 1900, America declared an Open Door policy with China to support its independence and open markets. In 1903, Theodore Roosevelt helped Panama become independent from Colombia, and then secured the right to build the Panama Canal. Roosevelt also negotiated the peace treaty to end the Russo-Japanese war, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. He then sent the American fleet on a world cruise to display his country's power.

list the earliest Spanish explorers in the United States and their accomplishments

The Spanish claimed and explored huge portions of the United States after the voyages of Christopher Columbus. Among them were: -Jan Ponce de Leon- in 1513, he became the first European in Florida; established the oldest European settlement in Puerto Rico; discovered the Gulf Stream; and searched for the fountain of youth -Alonso Alvarez de Pineda- He charted the Gulf Coast from Florida to Mexico in 1519. Probably the first European in Texas, he claimed it for Spain. -Panfilo de Narvaez- He docked in Tampa Bay with Cabeza de Vaca in 1528, claimed Florida for Spain, and then sailed the Gulf Coast. -Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca- he got lost on foot in Texas and New Mexico. Estevanico, or Esteban, a Moorish slave, was a companion that guided them to Mexico. -Francisco Vásquez de Coronado- while searching for gold in 1540, he became the first European to explore Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. -Hernando De Soto- he was the first European to explore the southeastern United States from Tallahassee to Natchez

provide a brief history of the whig party

The Whig Party existed from 1833 to 1856. It started in opposition to Jackson's authoritarian policies, and was particularly concerned with defending the supremacy of congress over the executive branch, states' rights, economic protectionism, and modernization. Notable members included: Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, Winfield Scott, and a young Abraham Lincoln. The Whigs had four presidents: William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, John Tyler (expelled from the party), and Millard Fillmore. However, the Whigs won only two presidential elections. Harrison and Taylor were elected in 1840 and 1848, respectively. However, both died in office, so Tyler and Fillmore assumed the presidency. In 1852, the anti-slavery faction of the party kept Fillmore from getting the nomination. Instead, it went to Scott, who was soundly defeated. In 1856, the Whigs supported Fillmore and the National American Party, but lost badly. Thereafter, the split over slavery caused the party to dissolve.

list some common traits of the early empires of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and then cite some cultural identifiers for each of these empires.

The common traits of these empires were: a strong military; a centralized government; control and standardization of commerce, money, and taxes; a weight system; and an official language. Mesopotamia had a series of short-term empires that failed because of their oppression of subject peoples. Egypt also had a series of governments after extending its territory beyond the Nile area. Compared to Mesopotamia, these were more stable and long-loved because they blended different peoples to create a single national identity. Greece started as a group of city-states that were united by Alexander the Great and joined to create an empire that stretched from the Indus River to Egypt and Mediterranean coast. Greece blended Greek values with those of the local cultures, which collectively became known as Hellenistic society. Rome was an Italian city-state that grew into an empire extending from the British Isles across Europe to the Middle East. It lasted for 1,000 years and became the foundation of the Western world's culture, language, and laws.

explain the constructivist learning theory and the information-seeking behavior theory

The constructivist learning theory supports a view of inquiry-based learning as an opportunity for students to experience learning through inquiry and problem solving. This process is characterized by exploration and risk taking, curiosity and motivation, engagement in critical and creative thinking, and connections with real-life situations and real audiences. The information seeking behavior theory purports that students progress through levels of question specificity, from vague notions of the information needed to clearly defined needs or questions. According to this theory, students are more successful in the search process if they have a realistic understanding of the information system and and problem. They should understand that the inquiry process is not linear or confined to certain steps, but is a flexible, individual process that leads back to the original question.

provide some examples of how geography applies to the interpretation of the present and plans for the future

The decisions that individual people as well as nations make that may affect the environment have to be made with an understanding of spatial patterns and concepts, cultural and transportation connections, physical processes and patters, ecosystems, and the impact, or "footprint," of people on the physical environment. Sample issues that fit into these considerations are recycling programs, loss of agricultural land to further urban expansion, air and water pollution, deforestation, and ease of transportation and communication. In each of these areas, present and future uses have to be balanced against possible harmful effects. For example, wind is a clean and readily available resource for electric power, but the access roads to and noise of wind turbines can make some areas unsuitable for livestock pasture. Voting citizens need to have an understanding of geographical and environmental connections to make responsible decisions.

explain the differences between closed and open primaries in the direct primary system

The direct primary system is a means for members of a political party to participate in the selection of a candidate form their party to compete against the other party's candidate in a general election. A closed primary is a party nominating election in which only declared party members can vote. Party membership is usually established by registration. Currently, 26 states and the District of Colombia use this system. An open primary is a party nominating election in which any qualified voter can take part. The voter makes a public choice at the polling place about which primary to participate in, and the choice does not depend on any registration or previous choices. A blanket primary, which allowed voters to vote in the primaries of both parties, was used at various times by three states. The Supreme Court ruled against this practice in 2000.

describe the protestant reformation and outline its causes and results

The dominance of the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages in Europe gave it immense power, which encouraged corrupt practices such as the selling of indulgences and clerical positions. The Protestant Reformation began as an attempt to reform the Catholic Church, but eventually led to the separation from it. In 1517, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of a church in Saxony, which criticized unethical practices, various doctrines, and the authority of the pope. Other reformers such as John Calvin and John Wesley soon followed, but disagreed among themselves and divided along doctrinal lines. Consequently, the Lutheran, Reformed, Calvinist, and Presbyterian churches were founded, among others. In England, King Henry VIII was denied a divorce by the pope, so he broke away and established the Anglican Church. The Protestant reformation caused the Catholic Church to finally reform itself, but the Protestant movement continued, resulting in a proliferation of new denominations.

explain why and how people have adapted to environmental conditions

The environment influences the way people live. People adapt to environmental conditions in ways as simple as putting on warm clothing in a cold environment; finding means to cool their surroundings in an environment with high temperatures; building shelters from wind, rain, and temperature variations; and digging water wells if surface water is unavailable. More complex adaptations result from the physical diversity of the earth in terms of soil, climate, vegetation, and topography. Humans take advantage of opportunities and avoid or minimize limitations. Examples of environmental limitations are that rocky soils offer few opportunities for agriculture and rough terrain limits accessibility. Sometimes, technology allows humans to live in areas that were once uninhabitable or undesirable. For example, air conditioning allows people to live comfortably in hot climates; modern heating systems permit habitation in areas with extremely low temperatures, as is the case with research facilities in Antarctica; and airplanes have brought people to previously inaccessible places to establish settlements or industries.

list and describe the factors of production

The factors of production are: -Land- includes actual land, forests, minerals, water, etc. -Labor- the work force required to produce goods and services, including factors such as talent, skills and physical labor. -Capital- the cash and material equipment needed to produce goods and services, including buildings, property, tools, office equipment, roads, etc. -Entrepreneurship- persons with initiative can capitalize on the free market system by producing goods and services

define the following important terms as they relate to maps: latitude, longitude, coordinates, absolute location, equator, parallels, and meridians

The most important terms used when describing items on a map or globe are: -Latitude and longitude- the imaginary lines (horizontal and vertical, respectively) that divide the globe into a grid. Both are measured using the 360 degrees of a circle. -Coordinates- the latitude and longitude measures for a place. -Absolute location- the exact spot where coordinates meet. The grid system allows the location of every place on the planet to be identified -Equator- the line at 0° latitude that divides the earth into two equal halves called hemispheres. Parallels- another name for lines of latitude, because they circle the earth in parallel lines that never meet. Meridians- another name for lines of longitude. The Prime Meridian is located at 0° longitude, and is the starting point for measuring distance (both east and west) around the globe. Meridians circle the earth and connect at the poles.

list the original 13 colonies and the major turning points of the revolution

The original 13 colonies were: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. Delaware was the first state to ratify the constitution. Major turning points of the revolution: -The actions of the Second Continental Congress- established the Continental Army and chose George Washington as its commanding general. They allowed printing of money and created government offices. -"Common Sense"- published in 1776 by Thomas Paine, pamphlet calling for independence that was widely distributed. -Declaration of Independence- Thomas Jefferson, signed on July 4th, 1776 by the Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia. -Alliance with France- Benjamin Franklin negotiated an agreement with France to fight with the Americans in 1778. -Treaty of Paris- In 1782, it signaled the official end of the war, granted independence to the colonies, and gave them generous territorial rights.

describe the immigration trends in the late 1800s and their effects

The population of the United States doubled between 1860 and 1890, the period that saw 10 mil immigrants arrive. Most lived in the north. Cities and their slums grew tremendously because of immigration and industrialization. While previous immigrants had come from Germany, Scandinavia, and Ireland, the 1880s saw a new wave of immigrants from Italy, Poland, Hungary, Bohemia, and Greece, as well as Jewish groups from central and eastern Europe, especially Russia. The Roman Catholic population grew from 1.6 mil in 1850 to 12 mil in 1900, a growth that ignited an anti-Catholic backlash from the anti-Catholic Know-Nothing party of the 1880s and the Ku Klux Klan. Exploited immigrant workers started labor protests in the 1870s, and the Knights of Labor was formed in 1878, calling for sweeping social and economic reform. Its membership reached 700,000 by 1886. Eventually, this organization was replaced by the American Federation of Labor, headed by Samuel Gompers.

explain how the positive economic effects of abundant natural resources can result in negative effects

The positive economic aspects of abundant natural resources are an increase in revenue and new jobs where those resources have not been previously accessed. For example, the growing demand for oil, gas, and minerals has led companies to venture into new regions. The negative economic aspects of abundant natural resources are: -Environmental degradation, if sufficient regulations are not in place to counter strip mining, deforestation, and contamination. -Corruption, if sufficient regulations are not in place to counter bribery, political favoritism, and exploitation of workers as greedy companies try to maximize their profits -Social tension, if the resources are privately owned such that the rich become richer and the poor do not reap the benefits of their national resources. Class divisions become wider, resulting in social unrest. -Dependence, if the income from the natural resources is not used to develop other industries as well. In this situation, the economy becomes dependent on one source, and faces potential crises if natural disasters or depletion take away that income source.

list the states that formed the confederacy and identify the following leaders of the War Between The States: Jefferson Davis, Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, and Ulysses S. Grant

The states that seceded from the Union to form the Confederacy were: South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Tennessee. The slave-holding states that were kept in the union were Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri. Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, a former U.S. senator and cabinet member, was the president of the confederacy. Abraham Lincoln of IL was the President of the United States. His election triggered the secession of the south. He was assassinated shortly after winning a second term. Robert E. Lee of Virginia was offered the position of commanding general of the Union Army, but declined out of loyalty to his home state. He led the army of northern Virginia and the central confederate force. He was considered by some to be a military mastermind. Ulysses S. Grant of Ohio wasn't appointed to command the Union Army until 1864, after a series of other commanders were unsuccessful. He received Lee's surrender at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia in April, 1865, and went on to become President from 1869 to 1877.

describe geomorphology and the various types of landforms

The study of landforms is called geomorphology or physiography, a science that considers the relationships between geological structures and surface landscape features. It is also concerned with the processes that change these features, such as erosion, deposition, and plate tectonics. Biological factors can also affect landforms. Examples are when corals build a coral reef or when plants contribute to the development of a salt marsh or a sand dune. Rivers, coastlines, rock types, slope formation, ice, erosion, and weathering are all parts of geomorphology. A landform is a landscape feature or geomorphological unit. these include hills, plateaus, mountains, deserts, deltas, canyons, mesas, marshes, swamps, and valleys. These units are categorized according to elevation, slope, orientation, stratification, rock exposure, and soil type. Landform elements include pits, peaks, channels, ridges, passes, pools, and plains. The highest order landforms are continents and oceans. Elementary landforms such as segments, facets, and relief units are the smallest homogenous divisions of a land surface at a given scale or resolution.

list the three most important grains in the world and identify where they grow

The three most important grains in the world are wheat, rice, and corn. They supply about half of the world's nutritional needs. Wheat is grown more widely than the other grains. It is grown on every continent except Antarctica and can be grown in spring, summer, and winter. As much as 650 mil metric tons of wheat are grown every year. Rice is a staple food for about half of the world's population. More than 95% is grown in Asia, which has the humidity and coastal lowlands necessary for ideal production. However, rice is also grown on every other continent except Antarctica. Rice requires only half as many acres as wheat for an equivalent yield of grain. Over 400 mil metric tons are grown every year. Corn production is the highest in the United States, where 80% is consumed by livestock or used to make oil rather than to feed humans. Nearly 600 mil metric tons of corn are grown every year.

describe the two types of markets that create economic flow

The two types of markets are factor and product markets. The factor market consists of the people who exchange their services for wages. The people are sellers and the companies are buyers. The product market is the selling of products to the people who want to buy them. The people are the buyers and the companies are the sellers. This exchange creates a circular economic flow in which money goes form the producers to workers as wages, and then flows back to producers in the form of payment for products

describe the basic types of maps and the meaning of scale

There are three basic types of maps: -base maps- created from aerial and field surveys, base maps serve as the starting point for topographic and thematic maps. -topographic maps- these show the natural and human-made surface features of the earth, including mountain elevations, river courses, roads, names of lakes and towns, and county and state lines. -thematic maps- these use a base or topographic map for showing data based on a theme, such as population density, wildlife distribution, hill-slope stability, economic trends, etc Scale is the size of a map expressed as a ratio of the actual size of the land (for example, 1 inch on a map represents 1 mile on land). In other words, it is the proportion between a distance on the map and its corresponding distance on earth. The scale determines the level of detail on a map. Small-scale maps depict larger areas, but include fewer details. Large-scale maps depict smaller areas, but include more details.

explain the process of making a formal amendment to the Constitution

There are two methods of proposal and two methods for ratification of an amendment to the Constitution: -An amendment is proposed by a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress and ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures -An amendment is proposed by a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress and ratified by three-fourths of the states in special conventions called for that purpose -An amendment is proposed by a national convention that is called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures and ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures -An amendment is proposed by a national convention that is called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures and ratified by three-fourths of the states in special conventions called for that purpose

list some important contributions of the ancient civilizations of Sumer, Egypt, and the Indus Valley

These three ancient civilizations are distinguished by their unique contributions to the development of world civilization. Sumer used the first know writing system, which enabled the Sumerians to leave a sizeable written record of their myths and religion; advanced the development of the wheel and irrigation; and urbanized their culture with a cluster of cities. Egypt was united by the Nile River. Egyptians originally settled on its banks; had a national religion that held their pharaohs as gods; had a central government that controlled civil and artistic affairs; and had writing and libraries. The Indus Valley was also called Harappan after the city of Harappa. This civilization started in the 3rd and 4th centuries BC and was widely dispersed over 400,000 square miles. It had a unified culture of luxury and refinement, no known national government, an advanced civic system, and prosperous trade routes.

describe the Monroe Doctrine, Manifest Destiny, and the Missouri Compromise

Three important political actions in the 19th century were: -The Monroe Doctrine- conceived by President James Monroe in 1823, this foreign policy warned European powers to cease colonization of Central and South America or face military intervention by the United States. In return, the United States would not meddle in the political affairs or standing colonies of Europe. -The Missouri Compromise- in 1820, there were 11 free states and 11 slave states. The fear of a power imbalance between slave and free states when Missouri petitioned to become a slave state brought about this agreement. Maine was brought in as a free state; the southern border of Missouri was set as the northernmost line of any slave territory; and the western states would come in as free states, while Arkansas and Florida could be slave states. -Manifest Destiny- the popular belief during the 1840s that it was the right and duty of the United States to expand westward to the Pacific. The idea became a slogan for the flood of settlers and expansionist power grabs.

explain how time zones were devised

Time is linked to longitude in that a complete rotation of the Earth, or 360° of longitude, occurs every 24 hours. Each hour of time is therefore equivalent to 15° of longitude, or 4 minutes for each 1° turn. By the agreement of 27 nations at the 1884 International Meridian Conference, the time zone system consists of 24 time zones corresponding to the 24 hours in a day. Although high noon technically occurs when the sun is directly above a meridian, calculating time tat way would result in 360 different meridians. Using the 24 hour system, the time is the same for all locations in a 15° zone. The 1884 conference established the meridian passing through Greenwich, England, as the zero point, or prime meridian. The halfway point is found at the 180th meridian, a day and a half from Greenwich. It is called the International Date Line and serves as the place where each day begins and ends on Earth.

list some of the domestic accomplishments of the Progressive Era, also known as the Age of Reform

To the Progressives, promoting law and order meant cleaning up city governments to make them honest and efficient, bringing more democracy and humanity to state governments, and establishing a core of social workers to improve slum housing, health, and education. Also during the Progressive Era, the national government strengthened or created the following regulatory agencies, services, and acts to oversee business enterprise: -Passed in 1906, the Hepburn Act reinforced the Interstate Commerce Commission. In 1902, Roosevelt used the Justice Department and lawsuits to try to break monopolies and enforce the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. The Clayton Anti-Trust Act was added in 1914. -From 1898 to 1910, the Forest Service guided lumber companies in the conservation and more efficient use of woodland resources under the direction of Gifford Pinchot. -In 1906, the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed to protect consumers from fraudulent labeling and adulteration of products. -In 1913, the Federal Reserve System was established to supervise banking and commerce. In 1914, the Fair Trade Commission was established to ensure fair competition.

describe the involvement of the United States in World War I.

When World War I broke out in 1914, America declared neutrality. The huge demand for war goods by the Allies broke a seven-year industrial stagnation and gave American factories full-time work. The country's sympathies lay mostly with the Allies, and before long American business and banking were heavily invested in an Allied victory. In 1916, Woodrow Wilson campaigned on the slogan "He kept us out of war." However, when the British ship Lusitania was torpedoed in 1915 by a German submarine and many Americans were killed, Wilson had already warned the Germans that the United States would enter the war if Germany interfered with neutral ships at sea. Eventually, when it was proven that Germany was trying to incite Mexico and Japan into attacking the United States, Wilson declared war in 1917, even though America was unprepared. Nonetheless, America quickly armed and transferred sufficient troops to Europe, bringing the Allies to victory in 1918.

list some of the effects of an economic downturn or recession

When a recession happens, people at all levels of society feel the economic effects. For example: -High unemployment results because businesses have to cut back to keep costs low, and may no longer have the work for the labor force they once did. -Mortgage rates go up on variable-rate loans as banks try to increase their revenues, but the higher rates cause some people who cannot afford increased housing costs to sell or suffer foreclosure. -Credit becomes less available as banks try to lessen their risk. This decreased lending affects business operations, home and auto loans, etc. -Stock market prices drop, and the lower dividends paid to stockholders reduce their income. This is especially hard on retired people who rely on stock dividends. -Psychological depression and trauma may occur in those who suffer bankruptcy, unemployment, or foreclosure during a depression.

list some harmful or potentially harmful ways in which humans interact with their environment

Wherever humans have gone on the earth, they have made changes to their surroundings. Many are harmful or potentially harmful, depending on the extent of the alterations. Some of the changes and activities that can harm the environment include: -Cutting into mountains by machine or blasting to build roads or construction sites -Cutting down trees and clearing natural growth -Building houses and cities -Using grassland to graze herds -Polluting water sources -Polluting the ground with chemical and oil waste -Wearing out fertile land and losing topsoil -Placing communication lines cross country using poles and wires or underground cable -Placing railway lines or paced roads cross country -Draining wetlands -Damming up or re-routing waterways -Spraying fertilizers, pesticides, and defoliants -Hunting animals to extinction or near extinction

describe the unique characteristics of the Chinese and Indian empires

While the Chinese had the world's longest lasting and continuous empires, the Indians had more of a cohesive culture than an empire system. China- Since the end of the Warring States period in 221 BC, China has functioned as an empire. Although the dynasties changed several times, the basic governmental structure remained the same into the 20th century. The Chinese also have an extensive written record of their culture which heavily emphasizes history, philosophy, and a common religion. India- The subcontinent was seldom unified in terms of government until the British empire forcefully colonized the area in the 19th and 20th centuries. In terms of culture, India has had persistent institutions and religions that have loosely united the people, such as the caste system and guilds. These have regulated daily life more than any government.

compare the participants of World War I and World War II

World War I, which began in 1914, was fought by the Allies Britain, France, Russia, Greece, Italy, Romania, and Serbia. They fought against the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey. In 1917, the United States joined the Allies, and Russia withdrew to pursue its own revolution. World War I ended in 1918. World War II was truly a world war, with fighting occurring on nearly every continent. Germany occupied most of Europe and Northern Africa. It was opposed by the countries of the British Empire, free France and its colonies, Russia, and various national resistance forces. Japan, an Axis ally of Germany, had been forcefully expanding its territories in Korea, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the South Pacific for many years. When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, the United States joined the Allied effort. Italy changed from the Axis to the Allied side mid-war after deposing its own dictator. The war ended in Europe in April, 1945, and in Japan in August, 1945.

explain the role of the United States in World War II

World War II began in 1939. As with World War I, the United States tried to stay out of World War II, even though the Lend-Lease program transferred munitions to Great Britain. However, on December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Since Japan was an ally of Germany, the United States declared war on all the Axis powers. Although there was fighting in both Europe and the Pacific, the decision was made to concentrate on defeating Hitler first. Since it did not have combat within its borders, the United States became the great manufacturer of goods and munitions for the war effort. Women went to work in the factories while men entered the military. All facets of American life were centered on the war effort, including rationing, metal collections, and buying war bonds. The benefit of this production was an end to the economic depression. The influx of American personnel and supplies eventually brought victory in Europe in April of 1945, and in Asia the following August.

explain the economic impact of technology

at the start of the 21st century, the role of information and communications technologies (ICT) grew rapidly as the economy shifted to a knowledge-based one. Output is increasing in areas where ICT is used intensively, which are service areas and knowledge-intensive industries such as finance; insurance; real estate; business services, health care, and environmental goods and services; and community, social, and personal service. Meanwhile, the economic share for manufacturers is declining in medium- and low-technology industries such as chemicals, food products, textiles, gas, water, electricity, construction, and transport and communication services. Industries that have traditionally been high-tech, such as aerospace, computers, electronics, and pharmaceuticals are remaining steady in terms of their economic share. Technology has become the strongest factor in determining per capita income for many countries. The ease of technology investments as compared to industries that involve factories and large labor forces has resulted in more foreign investments in countries that do not have natural resources to call upon.