Social Studies GHSGT Study Guide

Social Studies GHSGT Study Guide

World Geography

Basic definitions to know

Geography is the study of the earth’s surface, land, bodies of water, climate, peoples, industries, natural resources, etc.

Physical geography is the study of how physical characteristics (land, climate, bodies of water, animal life, etc.) define a region or place

A Place is an area of land that shares common features or is defined by common characteristics. Ex. The GulfCoast region

Topography is the natural land formations that make up the surface of an area.

Climate is the average weather conditions over time, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, sunshine, cloudiness, winds, etc.

Culture is the system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, etc., that shapes how members of a society live and view their world.

A continent is a large landmass and usually consists of several countries. There are seven continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, N. America, S. American, Australia, Antarctica

Continents and MajorOceans

Africa & Asia (Land) Africa & Asia (Water)

Africa & Asia (Climate) Africa & Asia (Culture)

Asia has three important recognized political divisions: The Middle East, (or West Asia) countries are colored a lighter shade of gray; Southeast Asia (or South Asia) countries are colored a medium shade of gray, and North Asia countries are colored a darker shade of gray. Note that European Russia is also considered a part of the Asian Continent.

Physical Features / Climate / Population, Economic Development, and World Influence
Europe / The continent of Europe is surrounded by several bodies of water including the ArticOcean, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. The Ural Mountains serve as a natural barrier dividing Europe from Asia. The continent features a number of peninsulas including the Iberian Peninsula and Scandinavian Peninsula. Much of Europe is mountainous. Major mountain ranges include the Ural, Alps and Pyrenees. Major rivers in Europe include the Rhine, Danube and Volga. / The Alps and Pyrenees mountains impact Europe’s weather. Winters in higher elevations tend to get very cold due to the winds blowing southward from the ArticOcean. The Mediterranean and Iberian coast tend to enjoy milder, warm temperatures most of the year. Farther north, in places like Scandinavia and Russia, it is not uncommon to experience winter temperatures well below zero. The Siberian tundra region has spaces covered in ice year-round. / Europe’s geography has greatly impacted its ability to develop and influence the rest of the world. Since overland travel was often difficult on the mountainous continent, Europeans depended on its many rivers for travel and trade. Because Europe is bordered on three sides by water, Europeans were masters of the sea. Nations like England, France, Spain and Portugal built some of the world’s most efficient ships for trade and military conquest. Combined with their desire to expand their territories, Europeans’ ability to navigate the oceans eventually led to the colonization of party of Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Latin America / Together, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean compose Latin America. Mountainous regions occupy much of Latin America. Some of its major mountain ranges are the Sierra Madre Occidental, the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Andes. The Andes is the longest series of mountain ranges in the world, stretching more than 4,500 miles. Mountains are found of the CaribbeanIslands. Many of these islands are actually the peaks of ancient volcanoes, the base of which sit below the ocean. Because much of the region is located above tectonic plates (pieces of the earth that move) Latin America is also prone to earthquakes.
A number of major plains also cover Latin America. It is also home to the AmazonBasin and the Amazon River, which is the longest river in the Western Hemisphere. The Amazon River runs through the heart of the Amazon Rainforest which covers portions of nine countries and represents more than ½ of the world’s remaining rainforests. / Because the equator runs through northern South America, much of Latin America has a tropical climate. Large portions of the region are hot most of the year and subject to dry and rainy seasons. As one moves away from the equator, temperatures become cooler and rainfall is less. For example, the Atacama Desert along Chile’s coast is one of the driest places on earth. Due to the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, it is not uncommon for hurricanes to sweep across the CaribbeanIslands during the summer and autumn months. One key aspect of Latin America’s climate that impacts other parts of the world is El Nino. El Nino features warmer than usual ocean currents which form in the Pacific off the coast of northern South America. As a result, El Nino tends to change normal weather patterns, causing different parts of the globe to be dryer or experience more rainfall than normal. El Nino can have drastic effects on other parts of the world. / The cultures of Latin America feature a combination of Native American and European influences. Today, many Latin Americans live in urban areas such as Mexico City. Overcrowding, unemployment, and crime are ongoing challenges. Mexico City’s location also exposes it to earthquakes. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile also other large Latin American cities.
The United States and Canada / Mountain ranges are common to both the U.S. and Canada. The Rocky Mountains (southwest U.S.) and Appalachian Mountains (eastern U.S. and Canada) are the two major mountain ranges. The area between these two mountain ranges is the Great Plains. In addition to the oceans that surround the continent, there are a number of other important bodies of water including the Mississippi River, Missouri River in the U.S. and the Mackenzie River in Canada. Other major bodies of water include the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay and Hudson River. / Since North America is so big, it has a variety of climate regions. To the far north of Canada and Alaska lies the frozen tundra. Along the Pacific coast of Canada and the northern U.S., people experience a mild, wet climate, with chilly winters and comfortable summers. The Great Plains experience hot summer months and cold, snow-filled winters. / Today, most U.S. citizens and Canadians live in urban areas. Many of these cities grew up along major rivers and along ocean coasts because of access to travel and opportunities for trade and commerce. The U.S.’ largesturban area is New York City. The region that stretches from the Carolinas across the nation to southern California is called the Sun Belt. Because of the availability of land, affordable cost of living, economic opportunities and mild climate, this region has experienced a boom in recent years.
Oceania / Oceania includes Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and more than 20,000 islands stretching across the Pacific Ocean. Australia consists mainly of flat lands, unpopulated deserts, and wilderness commonly known as the outback. The Great Dividing Range (a series of mountains and hills) runs along the eastern edge. Along the northeastern coast lies the Great Barrier Reef (the world’s largest coral reef stretching 133,000 square miles). / Although the coast of Australia does receive rainfall, its high mountains prevent much of the moisture from ever reaching the dry interior. However, the many islands have mostly tropical climates while Antarctica is a frozen climate. / The vast majority of Australia’s population and its major cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, are located along the coast.

World History

The Renaissance: Means “Rebirth” – Came after Dark Ages

Important events/people to know from the Renaissance

Education / Science/
Technology / Politics / Literature / Music / Paintings
Architecture
-Ancient Greek and Romans classics as models for learning and culture. -Considered Dark Ages before to be barbaric
- Focus on individual talents – poetry, math, sword fighting, wrestling, development of body and character
-Rejection of medieval supernatural and spiritual / -Emphasis on observation of nature and reality – scientific inquiry
Key people:
N. Copernicus – Earth and planets revolve around sun
A. Vesalius – anatomy of human body
J. Gutenberg – developed printing press – printed books -Gutenberg Bible / Popes were preoccupied by political conflict
-Opened the door for Italian cities to form governments
N. Machiavelli– claimed governments should use necessary means to preserve themselves – the end justifies the means – ruler’s decision on human nature / Italy:
Dante – epic poem – Divine Comedy
Petrarch – wrote love sonnets in vernacular (native language of area)
16th century – Renaissance spread to rest of Europe
Spain:
M. de Cervantes Saavedra – Don Quixote
England:
W. Shakespeare, E. Spenser, C. Marlowe / Addressed the needs of secular society.
Musical innovations began in France – composers developed songs involving polyphony – many voices and melodies
Music gained popularity outside the church / Painters:
Massacio – painted in 3-D
Leonardo da Vinci -works include - The Last Supper, and Mona Lisa
Michelangelo – Pieta, statue of David, painted Sistine Chapel, architectural design of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome
Raphael – The School of Athens in VaticanPalace, subjects included Plato and Aristotle
“Renaissance man” label for person with cultured and gifted diversity

The Protestant Reformation

16th century (1500’s) movement that called for change in practices of the Roman Catholic Church –

Resulted in the development of separate churches

Revolutions

World Exploration

Explorers

Name / Country / Area Explored / Important because…
Prince Henry the Navigator
(sailed in 1460’s) / Portugal / Africa’s west coast / Maps, innovations for building ships and navigation, developed the compass
Vasco de Gama
(sailed in 1490’s – 1520’s) / Portugal / Around southern tip of Africa / First European to reach India by sea
Christopher Columbus
(sailed in 1490’s - 1506) / Spain / America’s – landed in Bahamas (Europeans called Indies) / First to sail to Central America – thought he had landed in Asia
John Cabot
(sailed 1497-1499) / England / Canada – he thought he was in China
Amerigo Vespucci
(sailed 1499-1512) / Portugal / South America / German map maker honored his stories by naming America for him
Ferdinand Magellan
(sailed 1519-1521) / Portugal / Around Southern tip of South America / Named Pacific Ocean – 1st European to sail around the world – proving world was round and Asia was farther west of Europe than people thought
Hernando Cortez
(sailed 1519-1521) / Spain / Yucatan Pennisula – Mexico / Conquistador - Conquered Aztec empire, destroying city
Francisco Pizarro
(1532-1536) / Spain / Peru / Conquered Incan empire, overtook gold
Ponce de Leon
(1513-1521) / Spain / St. Augustine, Florida / Founded Florida, essential in maintaining Spanish control – first European city in North America

U.S. History

GHSGT Quick Study Guide

Standard I: Fundamental Social Studies Skills

Use and understand maps, charts, graphs, time lines, and flowcharts

Timelines are chronological lists of related events.

Maps are used to represent geographical information. Look at the KEY for clues about what the map is supposed to show.

Pie Charts are used to show the relationship between parts of a whole.

Bar and Line graphs are used to show change over a time or how one time period differed from another.

Graphic Organizers are used to show cause and effect relationships.

Use and understand quotations and historical documents

Some Important Speeches and Documents from U.S. History

• The Mayflower Compact – became a landmark of American democratic government
• The Declaration of Independence – declared the colonies independent from Britain, written by Thomas Jefferson
• The U.S. Constitution – established a bi-cameral (2 house) legislature, one based on population (House of Representatives) and one equal (Senate)
• The Bill of Rights – first 10 amendments to the Constitution, a formal lists of citizens’ rights
• The Gettysburg Address – a famous speech by Lincoln in 1863 at the dedication of a national cemetery in Gettysburg
• Wilson’s Fourteen Points – the principles making up Wilson’s plan for world peace after WWI

Analyze important social, political, and economic issues

These are some important fundamental issues that have shaped and continue to shape U.S. History.

• Do citizens have the right to disobey laws they believe to be immoral?
• Should the government have the power to tell people what to do with their property?
• Does the right to a fair trial limit the freedom of the press?

Standard II: Colonization to the Constitution (beginnings to 1789)

Describe the culture of Native Americans and Identify the Reasons for European Colonization of North America.

Explain and Analyze the Social, Political, Religious, and Economic Development of the American Colonies.

Explain the Causes of the American Revolution.

Describe and Analyze the Purposes of the Declaration of Independence and the Important Ideas It Contains.

Purpose #1: explain colonial beliefs about the relationship b/w people & their government.

Purpose #2: justify the American Revolution and to win the support of people in the colonies and leaders of foreign countries. To win support of these people, the writers listed examples of how the British government violated their rights.

Summarize the Major Debates and Compromises of the Constitutional Convention, Discuss the Struggle for Ratification, and Identify the Significance of the Bill of Rights.

Compromises/Proposals / It Said……………..
Virginia Plan / Unicameral legislature based on population
New Jersey Plan / Unicameral legislature & all were equal
Great Compromise / Bicameral congress where House is based on population and Senate is equal
3/5s Compromise / States could count 3/5s of the slaves for representation purposes

Standard III: A New Nation (1790-1860)

Explain the Importance of the Presidencies of G. Washington and J. Adams.

Describe the Growth of the U.S. and Examine the Impact of Manifest Destiny on the Growth of the Nation.

There were 3 primary motivations for U.S. territorial expansion:

1. The desire of most Americans to own their own land.
2. The discovery of gold and other valuable resources.
3. The belief that the U.S. was destined to stretch across North America.

Identify the Intellectual, Cultural, and Social Reform Movements in the U.S. between 1830 and 1860.

Movement / Issue & Important Individuals / Impact
The Transcendentalists / Education, self-improvement, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau / Established the first independent American school of thought
2nd Great Awakening / Promoted temperance & religious conversion, had impact of politics / Increased the size of Protestant religious organizations
Abolitionist Movement / Attempts to end slavery and stop its expansion, Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman / Attracted support and interest of reform leaders from other movements
Women’s Movement / Women’s suffrage, abolition, temperance, Seneca Falls, Elizabeth Cady Stanton / Established the foundation for the 20th century women’s movement

Standard IV: Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Industrial Age.

Describe the values and beliefs of Important Individuals from the Civil War.

1. Lincoln -- wanted to preserve the U.S., did not believe that sates could secede and

thought that the South was merely rebelling against the government.

Analyze the reasons why the Confederacy lost the Civil War.

Analyze the Social, Political, and Economic Results of Reconstruction.

The purpose of Reconstruction was to bring the Southern states back into the Union. Southern states were required to ratify the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments before they could be rejoin the union.

13th Amendment – abolished slavery

14th Amendment – defined citizenship to include African Americans and guaranteed that no citizen could be deprived of their rights without due process.

15th Amendment – removed racial restriction on voting. All male citizens over the age of 21 had the right to vote.

Trace the progress of the Industrial Revolution.

The Industrial Revolution rolled into the U.S. on railroad cars. Railroad expansion during the late 19th C. allowed resources and people to be moved quickly. It made cities the center of economic activity. It increased the demand for coal, steel, wood and other products. Many wealthy individuals made their fortune in the RR business.

Standard V: World Power and Domestic Reform (1896-1940).

Trace and Explain the Development of the U.S. into a World Power.

Time Line of U.S. Acquisitions

1867 – Alaska, MidwayIsland

1898 – Hawaiian Islands, the Philippines, Guam

1899 – Wake Island, American Somoa

Identify the Progressive Era Reforms of the Roosevelt and Wilson Administrations.

Evaluate the Foreign Policy of Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson.

Standard VI: The Modern Era 1940 to the Present

Analyze the Causes and Effects of U.S. Participation in WWII.

Country / Leader / Government / Goals / Acts of Aggression
Germany / Hitler / Fascist Dictatorship / Restore Germany to past glory, acquire new territory, unite all Germans under ONE rule / Invaded the Rhineland, unified with Austria, conquered Czechoslovakia, provoked war with France
Italy / Mussolini / Fascist Dictatorship / Make Italy a world power and acquire new territory / Invaded Ethiopia, Libya, and Albania
Japan / Hirohito & Tojo / Constitutional Monarchy / Establish Japanese Empire in Asia and the Pacific / Invaded Manchuria, attacked China, and the European colonies of Burma, Indonesia and Indochina, attacked Pearl Harbor

The U.S. entered the war when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.