Ch.

8 Political Geography
Key Issue 1 Where Are States Distributed?
Rubenstein, p.266-269

I. INTRODUCING POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY

1. Define state:

2. How has the number of states changed over time?

3. Identify the six largest states (in order):

4. Identify the two smallest states and their size:

II. CHALLENGES IN DEFINING STATES

5. Define sovereignty:

6. States are examples of ______________ regions.

7. Some states test the definition of sovereignty. Take notes on the conflicts below:

North and South Korea –

China and Taiwan –

Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands –

Sahrawi Republic/Western Sahara –

Ch. 8 Political Geography
Key Issue 2 Why are Nation-States Difficult to Create?
Rubenstein, p.270-279

1. Define nation-state:

2. The concept of dividing the world into independent nation-states is _________________________.

I. DEVELOPMENT OF STATES

3. The first states emerged in __________________________, but more recently the early modern

states developed in ____________________________.

4. Define city-state:

5. Take notes on the history of the development of states:

Ancient States –

Medieval States –

20th Century States –

II. NATION-STATES AND MULTINATIONAL STATES

6. Define self-determination:

7. Do you believe all ethnicities have a right to self-determination? What are positive & negative
implications of self-determination?

8. a. Why is Japan an example of a nation-state?

b. What are some other examples of nation-states? (Find examples throughout the section.)
9. a. ________________________ measured the degree of ethnic diversity in states.

b. Many of the states with the least diversity are in _________________________.

c. Many of the states with the greatest diversity are in ___________________________.

d. Where does the U.S. fall? Are you surprised?

10. a. Define multiethnic state:

b. Define multinational state:

c. Is the U.S. a multiethnic or multinational state? Justify your answer.

11. In what ways do the Nazis’ actions in World War II reflect self-determination?

12. Post-World War II, what are some examples of successful nation-states? Failed nation-states?

13. Some micro-states (and slightly larger states, such as the Maldives southwest of India in the Indian
Ocean) are particularly concerned about global warming—why?

III. RUSSIA: THE LARGEST MULTINATIONL STATE

14. U.S.S.R. stands for ______________________________________ , existed between ____________,

and included _______ republics based on the largest _______________. The largest ethnicity was

___________________ and the largest republic was _________________. However, there were

over ___________recognized ethnicities in the U.S.S.R.

15. The dissolution of the U.S.S.R. in 1991 resulted in 15 independent states grouped into 5 regions.
Identify each region and corresponding states.

16. Describe the composition and distribution of ethnicities in Russia.

17. What autonomy do the larger ethnic groups have under the Russian government?
18. In 2014, Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine—what was the Russian justification for this action? Do
you think Russia’s actions were justified?

IV. NATION-STATES IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION

19. Moldova used to be part of Romania until the Soviet Union seized it in 1940. When it reverted back
to an independent state in 1992, many Moldovans wanted to reunify with Romania. Rubenstein
says, “it was not to be that simple.” Why not?

20. a. Where is the Caucasus region?

b. How did the Soviets unify the many ethnicities in the Caucasus region?

c. The break-up of the Soviet Union resulted in 3 countries in this region. Identify the countries and
ethnic/political conflicts in each.

V. COLONIES

21. Define colony:

22. Most non-self-governing territories are ________________________, with the exception of the

largest non-self-governing territory: ___________________________.

23. The following territories are not considered colonies because_______________________________.

(Take notes on each territory.)

Puerto Rico –

Greenland –

Hong Kong & Macao –

24. a. Define colonialism:

b. What are the three basic reasons countries established colonies?

25. Create a timeline outlining the history of colonization from the start of the colonial era through the
20th century.

Ch. 8 Political Geography

Key Issue 3 Why Do Boundaries Cause Problems?
Rubenstein, p.280-293

1. Define boundary:

2. Define frontier:

TYPES OF BOUNDARIES

Boundaries Definition Examples & Notes

Cultural

Geometric
Physical

V. GOVERNING STATES

1. What are the two levels of government?

2. Identify and define the three types of governments:

a.

*Also called:

b.

*Also called:

c.

3. Democracies and autocracies differ in what three elements?

4. The world has become (more or less?) democratic due to what three reasons?

5. The most fragile states in the world are in ________________________________________________.

6. Identify and describe the two ways states are organized:

a.

Examples:
 b.

Examples:

*federal – also a synonym for national government

VI. ELECTORAL GEOGRAPHY

7. a. Define gerrymandering:

b. Where does the name come from?

c. In most states, who draws district voting boundaries? Why is this problematic?

d. What is significant about Iowa?

e. How does Kentucky rank/compare to other states?

IV. SHAPES OF STATES

Type Description Pros (as applicable) Cons (as applicable) ExampleS

Compact
State

Elongated
State

Prorupted
States

Perforated
State

Fragmente
d State

Landlocked
State
Ch. 8 Political Geography
Key Issue 4 Where Do States Face Threats?
Rubenstein, p.294-303

I. GLOBAL COOPERATION AND COMPETITION

** During the 20th century, many supranational organizations were formed. A supranational
organization is one in which countries give up some control of their affairs as they work together to
achieve shared goals.

15. The world’s first supranational organization, _____________________________, was established

after World War I. It was initiated by U.S. president Woodrow Wilson, but because the U.S. did not
actually sign it, the organization was not very effective.

16. The United Nations was formed in ___________ by _______________________________________.

17. Does the UN have a military force? Explain.

18. a. Identify the five permanent members of the UN Security Council:

b. Any one of these members can _________ an undesired UN action.

19. Besides focusing on international peacekeeping, the UN addresses/promotes issues in what three
areas?

20. During the Cold War era, the U.S. & U.S.S.R. were considered to be the world’s 2

“______________________________” whereas before World War I, there had been a

__________________________________ between eight states. This new situation has impacted

smaller states in that ______________________________________________________________.

**What is the difference between a cold war and a hot war?

21. What are some ways the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. established power during the Cold War?

**containment –

**domino theory –
II. COMPETITION AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE

22. Take notes on the two post-World War II military alliances:

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) –

Warsaw Pact –

23. Take notes on the two post-World War II economic alliances:

European Union (EU) –

Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON) –

24. Today, the main goal of the EU is to promote development through _____________________ and

______________________ cooperation through:

- Open borders between member countries
- Elimination of tariffs
- Elimination of guest worker programs (one can work in any member country)

What are positive and negative consequences of the above actions?

25. Additionally, the EU created the ________________________________ which created a single

currency called the ______________. Not all EU countries use this currency; those that do make up

the _______________________.

*What are two reasons EU countries might not use the Euro?

26. Briefly identify the following alliances:

Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) –

Organization of American States (OAS) –

African Union (AU) –

Commonwealth –
III. TERRORIST ATTACKS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES

27. a. Define terrorism:

b. Terrorism differs from assassinations and other political violence in that…

c. About two-thirds of terrorist attacks and deaths from terror attacks have occurred in what
countries? (Does this surprise you?)

28. The September 11, 2001 terror attacks were perpetrated by what terror organization?

IV. TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS

29. Define jihad:

30. Take notes on each of the following terrorist organizations:

Al-Qaeda –

Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) –

Boko Haram –
31. The use of religion by terrorist groups poses what challenges for Muslims? For non-Muslims?

V. STATE SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM

Identify the three ways states support terrorism and take notes on each:

a.

b.

c.