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

Did All Americans Benefit from the Boom?

Farmers and workers in many other industries, such as coal, leather, and textiles, did not benefit much.

• Coal suffered from competition from oil and electricity companies.
• Leather and textiles faced domestic competition.
• Industries struggled to compete with cheap labor in the South.
• Growth of industries, but no new jobs (machinery doubled production).

42% of Americans lived below the poverty line. Millions of unemployed people didn't share in the boom. It was a consumer-led boom, driven by ordinary families buying things for their homes, so demand began to tail off.

Chicago in the 1920s

Chicago was one of America's biggest cities.

It was a center of the steel, meat, and clothing industries that involved unskilled... Continue reading "American Economic Boom of the 1920s: Benefits and Contrasts" »

Advantages and Disadvantages of Agricultural Enclosures within Vijayanagara City

Enclosing agricultural land within the fortified area of the Vijayanagara empire offered both advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

• Protected agricultural land from enemy attacks and wild animals.
• Allowed for the storage of large quantities of grain in granaries within fortified areas, ensuring food security during sieges.

Disadvantages:

• Increased the cost and complexity of defending the city.
• Made it more difficult for farmers to access their fields during times of peace.

Significance of the Rituals Associated with the Mahanavami Dibba

The Mahanavami dibba, a massive platform located on one of the highest points in Vijayanagara, was the site of important rituals during... Continue reading "Vijayanagara Empire: Agricultural Enclosures, Mahanavami Dibba Rituals, and Ordinary Life" »

European Exploration in the Early Modern Period

During the early modern period, European expeditions explored many new parts of the world. At the beginning of the 15th century, Europeans had limited geographical knowledge. They were very familiar with all of Europe. They also knew about India, China, and Japan because travelers and merchants like Marco Polo brought silk, spices, and other products back from Asia. Silk and spices were highly appreciated in medieval Europe. The merchants carried them along the Silk Road. In 1453, the Turks conquered Constantinople and occupied the Byzantine Empire.

Cartography

Portolan charts were nautical charts showing coasts, sea routes, and possible obstacles.

Navigational Instruments

Compass was probably brought... Continue reading "Exploration and Trade in the Early Modern Period" »

A Mixed Legacy

Not all communities replicated the racial tensions of Levittown. Quaker-built Concord Park in Pennsylvania, for example, was built under the motto "Democracy in Housing" and embraced diverse residents. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy issued an Executive Order prohibiting racial discrimination in federally assisted housing developments. This was a crucial step, but the fight for integration continued house by house, street by street.

The Levittown Image

Following Levittown's success on Long Island, Levitt and Sons built two more, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The uniform houses and immaculate lawns of Levittown created a lasting impression, conjuring images of peaceful, wholesome suburban life.

Challenges and Contradictions

However,... Continue reading "Levittown and the Rise of the American Suburbs" »

Dual-Use Technology

Technology that might be used normally for civilian purposes but can also apply to military applications. An example of dual-use technology is nuclear power. Uranium enrichment process can have two applications: Electricity and Weapons. Thirty countries use nuclear power for electricity, operating 460 commercial nuclear power plants, supplying 14% of the world’s electricity; and 56 countries operate 250 research reactors. The problem is that the material produced by commercial nuclear reactors (Plutonium) can explode; therefore, some countries use it for military purposes, as a threat for other nations such as North Korea. An example would be missiles, which were used for military aggression during the Cold War but also... Continue reading "Dual-Use Tech, Nuclear Treaties, and Global Economic & Political Concepts" »

Erosion, Transport, and Sedimentation

Erosion: The process that wears out rocks on the surface with the help of ice, water, and humans. Plateaus are high plains resulting from the erosion process.

Transport: The movement of eroded materials.

Sedimentation: The deposition of materials in another location.

Landforms

Mountains and Valleys

Mountains: Elevated landforms with significant relief.

Mountain Ridges: Linear chains of connected mountain peaks.

Valleys: Elongated areas of low land between mountains.

Basins and Plains

Basin: Depressed areas where a river and its tributaries flow.

Plains: Areas of flat land with an elevation below 300m, often found near the coast or in river basins.

Plateaus and Depressions

Plateaus: High, raised areas of flat land.

Depressions:

FRANCE (Hegemony)

1. Louis XIV: Personal government
2. Paradigm of absolutist government
3. Deep administration reform
4. Nobility submission
5. Submission justice courts
6. Control governments cities
7. Expansionist foreign policy until 1684 (Regensburg)
8. Since 1684 loses its hegemony

HABSBURG EMPIRE:

1. After Westphalia loss of imperial power (Germany)
2. Preserves heritage states: Bohemia + Moravia + Hungary
3. Geographical name
4. Divisiveness among heirs
5. 350 states
6. Elector of Brandenburg
7. Strengthening and powerful army
8. Absolutist model
9. Origin kingdom of Prussia

NORTHERN EUROPE

1. Rivalry for control of the Baltic
2. Ascent Sweden (short)
3. Confrontation with Russia

RUSSIA

1. Romano vs access to the throne
2. The incorporation of Ukraine
3. Siberia expansion (Pacific (1649), Internal problems: second serfdom, Peter

Cuban Missile Crisis

It was the worst diplomatic crisis during the Cold War (1962), three years after the Cuban Revolution's success of communism in Cuba led by Fidel Castro.

Vietnam War

The worst military conflict during the Cold War, it happened between (1955-1975). Initially, it started between (communist) Northern Vietnam and (capitalist) Southern Vietnam.

Great Leap Forward

It was an economic plan performed by Mao Zedong between (1958-1961). The plan was to convert the Chinese countryside into farms to produce steel. The consequences were that due to the very bad climate, the crops were bad and many people died.

Cultural Revolution

It was the last period of Mao Zedong governing China (1966-1976).

May 1968 Student Protests

Was the beginning of a... Continue reading "Cold War Events and Leaders: Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam War, and More" »

Emerging and In-Transition Countries

Emerging Economies

These countries experience significant economic growth but still face challenges such as social inequality and limited civil rights and democracy.

Examples:

• China and India: Strong economic growth and large populations have positioned them among the most active economies globally.
• Arabian Peninsula: Significant economic growth is coupled with issues like gender discrimination.

Countries in Transition

These countries are moving out of the developing category due to factors like natural resources, industrial relocation from developed countries seeking lower production costs, and pro-business policies.

Examples:

• Southeast Asia: Experiencing significant industrial growth and a rise in tourism.
• North