NATIONS: Borders & Power A govt. sets up clear boundaries where it has authority. Political Region – area that a government controls. Borders – boundaries between countries.

NATIONS: Borders & Power Levels of Government – most countries have several levels (cities, counties, states). These create units with authority over an overlapping area; one place might belong to more than one physical, cultural, or political region.

NATIONS: Borders & Power Example: Houston – Citizens of Houston belong to many political units: City Government – Mayor- Council form of govt. serving 2-year terms; County Government – Houstonians also belong to Harris County. State of Texas – Residents are part of Texas. Texas has it’s own state laws, regulates schools, drivers, crimes & punishments, highways, etc.

NATIONS: Borders & Power National (Federal) Government – Houstonians are also part of the United States! This is the supreme government (highest level); if there is a clash between any two, the national govt. is supreme. Our national govt. is sovereign – not subject to any higher govt. authority.

NATIONS: Borders & Power The world is divided into independent states, each with their own sovereign governments. Each independent nation has fixed borders. How are those determined? – 1. Physical Features – Rivers, mountains, lakes, seas, oceans. – 2. Historical Circumstance / Political Agreements What makes up Texas’ boundaries?

NATIONS: Borders & Power Examples of Boundaries: – 1. Expansion of the United States: Eastern border was set by Atlantic; Western border shifted over time: – 1783 – Western Border was Mississippi River; As we expanded west, this changed. – Other borders were set by purchase & conquest (Mexican Cession, Mexican-American War).

Nations: Borders & Power – 2. Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821; Texas broke off in 1836; border dispute led to war; Mexico surrendered half its land to the U.S. including California & New Mexico. Later, U.S. purchased parts of Arizona & New Mexico (Gadsden Purchase).

NATIONS: Borders & Power – 3. Israel and Palestine –1947 the United Nations voted to create a Jewish state; Arab leaders rejected this & declared war on Israel. Today borders shift as Israelis & Palestinians debate; major issue is whether a new Palestinian state should include a part of Jerusalem. – Conclusion– both physical and human factors shape countries’ borders.

NATIONS: Borders & Power Political Maps – designed to show boundaries separating countries, or states / counties, etc. Legend – explains what different lines indicate.

NATIONS: Borders & Power Maps are called the “language of geography.” They can also be used to show distribution of political power or voting patterns:

NATIONS: Borders & Power International Relations & Balance of Power: – No govt. in the world has sovereign power over other nations. So nations compete and have conflicts to protect themselves & seek security. – Balance of Power – idea that if one country grows too strong, others must band together against it. Purpose of Balance – prevent a single nation from getting so powerful it forces its will on other nations.

NATIONS: Borders & Power Physical & Human factors influence power a nation has: – Size of country’s area; – Population; – Education level; – Armed forces & how equipped they are; – Physical features of country; – How productive a country’s economy is.

NATIONS: Borders & Power Major Powers in the World Today: – 1. United States – benefits of a large land area, rich natural resources, high standards of living, high education level, experienced army, superior weapons. After WWII, U.S. became a superpower with world’s 1 st nuclear weapons. After 9/11/2001 attacks, U.S. got involved in costly wars in Iraq, Afghanistan & rising economic competition from overseas.

NATIONS: Borders & Power – 2. China – Mao Zedong established Communist totalitarian dictatorship in China in They have world’s largest population & army, but low standards of living & inferior technology. After Mao’s death, China has better economy – welcomed foreign investors in 1990s; has the world’s fastest growing economy; continues to have large military – 1.6 million troops, nuclear weapons. Experts believe China will soon become world’s greatest power!

NATIONS: Borders & Power – 3. Russia – the leading part of the Soviet Union, one of the two superpowers after WWII; following defeat of Cold War with U.S., it had great economic challenges in transition from Communist to free-style economy. Continues to have a large, advanced military & possess world’s 2 nd largest supply of nuclear weapons.

NATIONS: Borders & Power – 4. Japan – smaller population, but high education standards & inventiveness; renounced use of nuclear weapons after it was attacked in WWII. Still a major superpower based on economic strength.

NATIONS: Borders & Power Associations of countries can also influence international relations: 1. United Nations – all sovereign nations in the world belong; founded after WWII to promote peace, prevent war & help development around world.

NATIONS: Borders & Power – All member states of the United Nations belong to a general assembly; a group of powerful states belong to the UN Security Council – has power to send UN peace-keeping forces to areas of conflict in the world. (members include the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, & France).

NATIONS: Borders & Power 2. European Union – economic & political union of member states; many European states are members; throughout, people & goods pass freely; EU cooperates on many issues; Euro is common currency; citizens elect representatives to a European Parliament in Strasburg, France.

NATIONS: Borders & Power 3. NATO – (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) – political & military alliance formed in 1949 (after WWII) between many European countries & North American countries – member countries defend any actions against each other militarily (creating a balance of power); 28 members exist today.