Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Geography

The Kingdoms and Territories of the Catholic Monarchs

The kingdoms and territories of the Catholic Monarchs were inherited by their grandson Charles, born in the Netherlands.

Charles I (1516-1556)

Inherited territories in central and N.Europe from his grandparents.

Philip II (1556-1598)

Didn't inherit his father's territories, nor was he made Holy Roman Emperor. Both monarchs consolidated the authoritarian monarchy, addressed numerous internal conflicts, and governed an empire. The empire helped them impose hegemony across Europe.

The Organisation of the Monarchy

Their rule was assisted by a well-organized public administration. This included royal secretaries, who studied important matters and gave advice.

The organization of the territory was conceived... Continue reading "The Catholic Monarchs and Their European Empire" »

Age of Industrialisation Proto Industrialisation

The period of industrialization before the first factories came up in Europe is termed as proto-industrialization. This period was marked by merchants from towns getting products made in villages.

Reasons for focus of merchants on villages:

• Powerful trade and craft guilds in urban areas
• Controlled competition and prices
• Prevented entry of new players in the market

Features of proto-industrialization in Britain:

• Merchants supplied money to the peasants in the countryside
• Peasants motivated to produce products for an international market
• Land becoming scarce in villages
• Peasants looking for additional sources of income

The Coming Up Of Factory

The earliest factories in England came up in the 1730s. By late... Continue reading "Proto-Industrialization and the Rise of Factories in Britain and India" »

In the feudal system, the king, the nobles, the clerics, and peasants all had different responsibilities and rights. Basically, the system consists of:

• Somebody gave protection/land to someone else.
• In exchange, the other had to fight or work for their protection.

The King

The king was the ruler of the country and owned all the land. However, he didn't have a big army and was weak. This is why he needed the noblemen and their armies.

The Noblemen

The noblemen were the vassals of the king. They promised obedience and loyalty to the king in the ceremony of homage. They provided knights and in return received a land (fief). In their lands, as lords, they acted as judges and collected taxes for themselves.

Knights

Knights were less important nobles, were... Continue reading "Feudal System: Roles and Responsibilities of King, Nobles, and Peasants" »

When was the UN Charter Adopted?

The charter of the United Nations was signed on June 26th, 1945, and came into force on October 24th, 1945.

Which Organ of the UN is an Impartial Legal Body?

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) serves as an impartial body for settling legal disputes among states in accordance with international law.

Which UN Organ Provides Leadership and Prepares the Budget?

The Secretary-General provides leadership, prepares the budget, submits an annual report to the General Assembly, and presents issues to the Security Council.

Which Two Institutions Were Created at Bretton Woods in 1944?

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were created at Bretton Woods in 1944.

What Does the Acronym GATT Stand For?

GATT... Continue reading "Key Facts on International Organizations and Treaties" »

Agriculture

Economic activity which is concerned with cultivating the land in order to obtain plants for food and raw materials for industry.

Agrarian Landscape

The land where agrarian activities are undertaken (e.g. cultivated land, woodland, meadow...)

Agrarian Policies

Policies implemented by governments that influence agrarian activities (e.g. agrarian reforms)

Indirect Exploitation of the Landscape

When land owners allow a tenant or partner to work the land.

Rural Space

All non-urban areas.

Livestock Farming

Concerned with rearing animals for human use.

Polyculture

When fields are used for various crops.

Dryland

Type of crop that only receives rainwater.

Human Rights

The rights that the United Nations feel every human should have, regardless of their race... Continue reading "Understanding Agriculture and Rural Space" »

Early Middle Ages

The Break-up of the Roman Empire

In AD 324, the emperor Constantine I founded the city of Constantinople on the site of Ancient Byzantium.

All people living beyond Roman borders were considered Barbarians.

• The Huns were nomadic animal herders who traveled across the Asian steppe. They attacked Germanic people.
• The Germanic peoples lived in the north and east of Europe. Many eastern tribes were nomadic. They were organized into tribes, each tribe had an assembly that elected a chieftain.

Romans built fortifications along the Rhine and Danube rivers.

Germanic tribes became a real threat in the 3rd century AD, when the Roman Empire suffered a serious economic and social crisis.

Some Germanic tribes carried out violent attacks on Roman... Continue reading "The Fall of the Roman Empire: Germanic Invasions and the Rise of New Kingdoms" »

Use - re-usable / settle - settlement / commerce - commercial / achieve - achievement / end - endlessly / appropriate - inappropriate / willing - willingness / afford - affordable / science - scientific / impress - impressive

failed - failure / hot - heat / fresh - freshness / various - variety / strong - strength / destroying - destruction / industrial - industry

- huge: variety, budget, market, picture // high: budget, voice // low: budget, voice // deep: message, character, voice // shallow: message, idea, character

- Narrow: picture, view (narrow ideas) // wide: variety, market, picture

In 2001, James O’Neill of Goldman Sachs authored a paper titled “Building Better Global Economic BRICs.” The BRICs acronym in the title referred to:

• Brazil
• Russia
• India
• China

These nations are reshaping the international economy with the potential to transform global trade and capital flows. BRICs are large economies, ranking among the world’s top 10 in population and top 11 in GDP. They have undergone reforms that have transformed them, making them more internationally integrated and central to the future of the world economy.

In 2010, these countries accounted for approximately 41 percent of the world’s population and 25 percent of world GDP when measured in PPP terms.

21st Century Growth

China (Post-1978)

• Prior to 1978, private enterprise

Technological Progress in Pre-Industrial Europe

Ancient Innovations and Stagnation

In comparison to ancient times, the Middle Ages seem to have been more innovative and fruitful for technological development benefiting the population at large. While there were significantly more innovations in China than in Europe during certain periods, why did conditions stagnate in Europe initially?

Pre-Roman and Transitional Innovations

Various mechanical innovations were established in pre-Roman times, such as salt extraction and domestic tools. Innovations dating to the pre-Roman transition include the harvester, barrel, and soap.

Roman Era Developments and Limitations

In ancient times, developments included central heating, cement, and various architectural... Continue reading "Pre-Industrial European Technology: Ancient Roots, Medieval Rise" »

Ideologies

Socialism

• Private property accepted
• Parliamentary system with powerful state
• Economy led by state
• Proletarians control political power (peacefully)

Communism

• No ownership
• Transition based on revolution
• Economy and means of production controlled by the state
• Classless society
• Proletarians control political power (using violence)

Anarchism

• No property
• Disappearance of state and political parties
• Self-management of free associations without obligations
• Rejection of all types of authority

Liberalism/Capitalism

• Individualism based on guaranteed private property
• Economic freedom regulated by market demand
• Class-based society
• Bourgeoisie controls economy and political power

French Revolution

Key Events

• National Assembly in the Jeu de Paume
• Bastille Day, the beginning