1. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION
OF SPACE

2. POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY
The study of the political organization (borders) of the planet
Political borders constantly change due to the unification or separation of territories or countries
Since the beginning of human history, humans have divided their living space in political units

3. POLITICAL BORDERS 3000 BC
Why do you think borders have changed so many times in the past 5,000 years?
Do you think the borders will continue to change? Why?
Draw Political Borders – National Geographic edia/file/Draw_Political_Borders.pdf

4. NATIONALISM
Independent nations develop due to nationalism – extreme patriotism and love for one’s country

5. BOUNDARIES
A state or territory is separated from its neighbors by boundaries – invisible lines that mark the extent of a state’s territory and the control that its political
leaders have
Geometric Boundaries

6. PHYSICAL BOUNDARIES
Boundaries established by rivers, oceans, deserts, mountains, etc.
These boundaries are easy to see and are usually unchanging
Many territories fight over boundaries near water for easier access to food and trade routes

7. CULTURAL BOUNDARIES
Boundaries set by ethnic differences, especially those based on language and religion

8. TERRITORIAL MORPHOLOGY
Term that describes the shapes, sizes, and relative locations of states
Determines the opportunities available to a country
and the challenges they may face

9. STATE SHAPES: COMPACT
In a compact state, the distance from the center to any boundary is about the same
If the capital city is located in the center, then it is easier for the leader to rule
It also promotes good communications among all regions

10. STATE SHAPES: PRORUPTED
It is a compact state with a large projecting extension
These exist in order to reach natural resources

11. STATE SHAPES: ELONGATED
These states have a long and narrow shape
Usually have communication and transportation problems, especially if the capital is not centralized

12. STATE SHAPES: FRAGMENTED
It has several discontinuous pieces of territory
Any state that is composed of islands is considered fragmented
Either separated by water or by intervening states

13. STATE SHAPES: PERFORATED
A state that completely
surrounds another state
Perforated states land- lock (no access to water) the states they surround
The inside state must rely on the importation and exportation of all resources from the perforated state

14. THE DEVELOPMENT OF NATION-STATES
Sovereignty – the ability of the state to carry out actions or policies within its borders independently
The first nation-states developed in the Fertile Crescent where individual city-states made up one large empire

15. THE DEVELOPMENT OF NATION-STATES
Following the Crusades (Muslims vs. Christians; ), monarchs consolidated their power into the first medieval European nation-states
England
France
Spain

16. COLONIALISM
Many European nations began developing colonies in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries
Colonies were established as political, economic, and cultural principles on a territory that was uninhabited or sparsely inhabited

17. COLONIALISM IN THE AMERICAS
Great Britain colonized the Americas in the 17th century for “God, Gold, and Glory!”
Sent missionaries to spread Christianity
Wanted more natural resources for Britain’s economic gain
More territory = More power!

18. IMPERIALISM
European nations also began taking over other regions of the world, especially Asia and Africa, in order to expand their territory and gain natural resources during the Industrial Revolution
“The sun never sets on the British Empire.”

19. Powerful nations throughout Europe began competing for territory in Africa
THE BERLIN
CONFERENCE
To prevent wars in the African colonies, 14 European nations met at the Berlin Conference in 1884 to divide up the land
No African leaders were invited and the divisions were not made according to linguistic or ethnic differences

20. SUPERIMPOSED BOUNDARIES
Boundaries forced upon an existing cultural landscape by a colonial or political power without regard for cultural barriers

21. THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES
After World War I ended in 1918, the Allied Powers (America, England, France, Italy) wrote the Treaty of Versailles
The treaty broke up the territories of the Austro- Hungarian Empire and dissolved the Ottoman Empire
It also formed Yugoslavia in Eastern Europe

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23. SUPRANATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Global organizations established primarily to prevent world wars and to protect countries from a foreign attack

24. THE UNITED NATIONS (U.N.)
Established in 1945 to prevent a 3rd World War
Protect countries from foreign attack
192 members (nations)
All members can meet and vote on issues without resorting to war

25. UN SECURITY COUNCIL
There are five permanent members of the United Nations that cannot be removed
The Security Council consists of the victorious Allied
Powers in World War II:
U.S.
Great Britain
France
Russia
China

26. EUROPEAN UNION Established in 1958 to
heal the scars from World War II in Western
Europe
Promotes economic development and free trade within Europe
The Euro became the common currency of all countries in the E.U.
Created the world’s wealthiest market

27. POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY Sovereign countries must establish some type of
government to maintain control and keep peace
National governments usually transfer some of their authority to local government units
Unitary State – most of the power stays in the hands of the central government (England)
Federal State – grants strong power to units of local government within the country (the U.S.)

28. Regulate foreign and Interstate commerce
Coln money
Provide an army and navy
Declare war
Establish federal courts below the Supreme Court
Conduct foreign relations
Levy taxes
•Regulate Intrastate commerce
Borrow money
•Establish local government systems
• Spend for general welfare
•Administer elections
Establish courts
•Protect the public's health,welfare,and morals
Enact and enforce laws
Exercise powers Implied from the expressed powers

29. ELECTORAL GEOGRAPHY
Boundaries are drawn in each state to separate legislative (law-making) districts to ensure that each district has an even population
Redrawn every 10 years according to Census
State legislatures redraw lines in most of the US

30. S.C. STATE GOVERNMENT

31. GERRYMANDERING
The process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the political party in power (Republicans vs. Democrats)