1. Political Landscapes: Barriers and Walls in the 20th and 21st Century
AP Human Geography
Political Landscapes: Barriers and Walls in the 20th and 21st Century

2. Directions
Use the graphic organizer provided to document information about important barriers/walls built by countries to establish their borders.
This graphic organizer will help you answer one of the FRQ’s found at the end of the powerpoint

3. The Mexico/US Border

4. The Border
The Mexico–United States border is an international border running from Imperial Beach, California, and Tijuana, Baja California, in the west to Matamoros, Tamaulipas, and Brownsville, Texas, in the east.
1,969 miles long

5. Purpose
to slow/control the flow of undocumented immigrants/goods from Mexico to the US

7. Video
(4 minutes)

8. The Berlin Wall

10. Another Cold War crisis
Background
East – West rivalry
Berlin divided – contrast the two halves.
WEST: Prosperous, helped by US, attracted people from the East. Seen by USSR as ‘infection’ in the heart of Communist East Germany.
EAST: Much less prosperous and under Communist control

11. What they wanted The West
Prevent USSR from gaining control of East Germany
To see a united, democratic Germany
The East
Maintain control over East Germany
Make the West recognise it as an independent state
Stop the flood of refugees especially the skilled and professional ones – much needed in East Germany

12. Purpose of Wall
to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West

13. Video
(10 minutes)

14. North Korea/South Korea Demilitarized Zone

15. PER CAPITA GDP $1,800 Many still suffering from lack of food SOUTH PER
NORTH
PER
CAPITA
GDP
$1,800
Many still
suffering
from lack
of food
SOUTH
PER
CAPITA
GDP
$32,020
ECOMONY
GROWING
RAPIDLY

16. Leadership in N. and S. Korea
Kim Jong-un is the supreme leader of North Korea. He is the son of Kim Jong-il.
Park Geun-hye is the eleventh and current President of South Korea. She is the first woman to be elected as President in South Korea

17. The two countries are separated by the DMZ (demilitarized zone) at the 38th parallel.
38th Parallel - line of latitude (38 degrees North) that separates communist North Korea from democratic South Korea.
DMZ – Demilitarized Zone- a weapons-free zone between North Korea and South Korea; no weapons or troops are permitted in this zone, although each side is heavily guarded to prevent invasion by the other; it has also been made into a wildlife sanctuary in hopes that might deter either side from becoming aggressive

18. Purpose of the DMZ
to act as a buffer zone in order to reduce the likelihood of violence between North and South Korea

19. North Korea
Population:
24.5 million
57% urban
South Korea
Population:
50 million
80% urban
SATELLITE IMAGES AT NIGHT

20. Video: Escape from North Korea
(9 minutes)

21. Social/Political Consequences
Increased tension between neighboring countries or among citizens within a “walled” country (e.g., East Berlin)
Increased isolation (reduction in the diffusion of culture)
Stigmatizing of excluded population (either internally or externally)
Promotes nationalism, reduces foreign influences, increases xenophobia
Illegal crossing of the border becomes more dangerous
Separation of families, friends, relatives, cultural groups
Increased protection/security from either real or perceived threat
Reduced face-to-face interaction between people of neighboring countries
Increased virtual communication between people of neighboring countries
Reduced migration

22. Economic Consequences
Cost of construction, maintenance, staffing
Creates jobs: construction, maintenance, staffing
Reduction in flow of illegal goods
Reduction in flow of illegal labor and potential savings in social costs
Loss of job opportunities for those excluded, less money earned/sent home, reverse remittances
Loss of cheap labor
Increased cost of smuggling (humans, drugs, other goods)
Reduced seasonal migration

23. Now work with a partner to answer this FRQ:
a. Identify 2 examples of walls or other barriers built by countries in the 20th and 21st centuries. (5 pts)
b. Explain the purpose of one of the examples you identified in part a. (10 pts)
c. For each of the categories listed below, discuss one consequence (positive or negative) faced by countries as a result of walls or other barriers established along their borders. (10 pts)
social or political
economic