Human Geo 8.2 Questions

Question 1

What is the Fertile Crescent in Southwest Asia, which played a large role in the development of ancient states?

Answer 1

It formed an arc between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea. It was center/crossroads for land/sea communications. It’s eastern end, Mesopotamia, was centered in the valley made by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Iraq. The Crescent then curved westward over the desert and turned southward to cover Mediterranean coast through Syria, Lebanon, & Israel. The Nile River Valley can be regarded as an extension of it into Africa. Periodically, one tribe in Mesopotamia would gain military dominance and form an empire. Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, & Persians organized it into empires.

Question 2

What politically unified the ancient world with its establishment?

Answer 2

The Roman Empire, which controlled most of Europe, N Africa, and SW Asia. At it’s largest, it had 38 provinces (each using the same laws in Rome). Massive walls helped the army defend the frontiers, but the Empire collapsed in the 5th century after a series of attacks by people on its frontiers AND internal disputes.

Question 3

What happened after the collapse of the Roman Empire?

Answer 3

The European portion of the Roman Empire was fragmented into many estates owned by competing kings, dukes, barons, and more. A few kings emerged as rulers over many estates beginning in 1100. This consolidation of estates under kings formed the basis for development of modern European states (Spain, France, England, etc.)

Question 4

In modern times, where did the concept of nation-states develop first?

Answer 4

In Europe. After WWI (which engulfed nearly all of Europe), leaders of the victorious countries met at the Versailles Peace Conference to redraw the map of Europe. Isaiah Bowman, chief advisor to Woodrow Wilson, played a major role in the decisions.

Question 5

What was the goal of the Allied leaders who met in Versailles?

Answer 5

To divide Europe into nation-states, using language as the principle criterion for identifying ethnic groups. New states were created, boundaries were adjusted, etc. This whole process created some clear-cut examples of nation-states, but many created 100 years ago in Europe haven’t survived, and the whole attempt wasn’t a recipe for peace.

Question 6

What happened during the 1930s regarding Germany?

Answer 6

In the 1930s, Germany’s Nazis claimed that all German-speaking parts of Europe constituted one nationality and should be unified. After many years of appeasing the Nazi’s expansion, the UK and France declared war when the Nazis invaded Poland (not a German-speaking state).

Question 7

What happened after Germany was defeated in WWII?

Answer 7

Germany was divided into 2 states from 1949-1990. A massive forced migration of Europeans after WWII relocated many ethnic groups into newly demarcated states, and when communism ended, the German Democratic Republic became part of the Federal Republic. Today, Germany bears little resemblance to the territory Germans lived in before the 20th century upheavals.

Question 8

What was Europe’s outlook on ethnicity by the late 20th century? The 21st century?

Answer 8

1. Many Europeans thought ethnicity had been left behind as an insignificant relic. Marx wrote that Nationalism was a way for the dominant social classes to maintain power over workers. He believed that workers would identify with other ppl in their class instead of an ethnicity.
2. In the 21st, ethnic identity has become important in Europe. The multinational states of Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union, & Czechoslovakia have been broken up into states.

Question 9

What is an example of a peaceful breakup of a multinational state in Europe? A not-so-peaceful?

Answer 9

Czechoslovakia had a peaceful breakup in 1993- just into Czechia & Slovakia (with only 1% Czech in Slovakia and 1% Slovaks in Czechia). Yugoslavia is a failed nation-state in Europe, and its breakup included 1 peaceful conversion of Slovenia in 1991 from a republic to a nation state, BUT other parts became nation-states after ethnic cleansing.

Question 10

Why is there no perfect nation-state?

Answer 10

Because the territory occupied by ethnicities never correspond to boundaries. However, some states are great examples of nation-states: ex. Japan is 98.5% Japanese. States with the least diversity would be the best examples of nation-states. Most states with the least diversity are in Europe, & the most diverse are in Africa.

Question 11

What 5 groups can the 15 repubulics of the USSR who became states after its breakup in 1991 be organized into?

Answer 11

1. 3 Caucasus states: Armenia, Azerbaijan, & Georgia
2. 3 Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia, & Lithuania
3. 3 European states: Belarus, Moldova, & Ukraine
4. 5 Central Asian states: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikstan, Turkmenistan, & Uzbekistan
5. Russia
   Some of these are good examples of nation-states, but not necessarily the most stable & peaceful of new states.

Question 12

Explain about how the transition to state in the Caucasus region went:

Answer 12

-When the Caucasus region was part of USSR, the Soviet gov’t promoted allegiance to communism & quelled disputes among ethnicities (sometimes by force).
-Armenia & Azerbaijan are statistically good nation-states, but have fought. Georgia is a multinational state with many uprisings & independence movements.

Question 13

Why is Armenia the most ethnically homogenous country in the region (98% ethnic Armenians)?

Answer 13

3,000 years ago, Armenians controlled an independent kingdom in the Caucasus. Converted to Christianity in 303 CE, they lived as an isolated Christian enclave under the rule of Turkish Muslims for many centuries. 100 years ago, 1 million Armenians were killed by the Turks (genocide). After WWII, the Allies created Armenia as a state, but it was soon dismantled by neighbors. In 1921, Turkey and the USSR agreed to divide it between them.

Question 14

Azerbaijan’s roots are from Turkish invaders merging with the Persian population. What conflict is in the area?

Answer 14

An 1828 treaty gave northern Azerbaijani to Russia and southern to Persia. It’s western part is separated by a 25 mile corridor belonging to Armenia. After their independence from Soviet Union, the two went to war due to boundaries of Artsakh (4,400 mile enclave in Azerbaijan inhabited by Armenians). A 1994 cease-fire has left it part of Azerbaijan, but it actually acts as an independent republic. Many clashes between countries have occurred.

Question 15

What are Estonia, Latvia, & Lithuania?

Answer 15

They are on the Baltic Sea, & were independent countries between 1918 -1940, when the USSR annexed them under an agreement with the Nazis. They have distinct culture/traditions: Lithuanians are Roman Catholic, speaking a Balto-Slavic language. Latvians are Lutheran, speaking a Baltic language. Estonians are Protestant, speaking a Uralic language (related to Finnish).

Question 16

Belarus has made a peaceful transition to state, but Ukraine & Moldova haven’t. Explain why:

Answer 16

The ethnic distribution among Belarusians, Ukrainians, & Russians is blurred (similar East Slavic languages and trace their heritage to the same roots in medieval Europe).
-Belarusians/Ukrainians became distinct from Russians through isolation after conquest by Mongolians, Poles, and Lithuanians in the 13th. Russians conquered them in late 18th, but after 5 centuries of exposure to non-Slavic influences, they displayed significant cultural differences.

Question 17

Moldova was a part of Romania (the two are ethnically the same) until 1940, and when it became a state in 1992, many Moldovans wanted to reunify with Romania. Why is it not that simple?

Answer 17

When Moldova became a Soviet Republic in 1940, its eastern boundary was the Dniester River. The Soviet gov’t increased the size of Moldova by 10%, taking some land from Ukraine on the east bank of the river. The inhabitants of this area (Transnistria) are Ukrainian & Russian. They oppose reunification, & have proclaimed unrecognized independence.

Question 18

Describe the conflict in Tajikstan:

Answer 18

Turkmen/Uzbekistan are stable nation-states. Tajikistan, however, has suffered from a civil war (1992-1997) between formerly Communist Tajiks and an alliance of Muslim fundamentalists & Western intellectuals. 15% of the pop was made homeless. A UN peacekeeping force has helped to prevent a recurrence.

Question 19

Why were prospects for stability favorable in Ukraine?

Answer 19

Because it had economic assents like coal deposits, a steel industry, and proximity to wealthy Western European countries. However, their minority Russian pop started an uprising in the eastern region. Claiming they were endangered, Russia invaded Ukraine and seized Crimea, a 10,000 square mile peninsula that has long been an area of conflict.

Question 20

What is Crimea and what is its history of control?

Answer 20

It is 60% Russian & 24% Ukrainian. Russia took control of Crimea in 1783, and in 1921 it became a Soviet Republic, and in 1954, a Ukrainian republic. With the breakup of the Soviet Union, Crimea became an autonomous republic in Ukraine. in 2014, Russia invaded Crimea & annexed it (claiming most of its people supported it). Every other country recognizes Ukraine’s sovereignty over Crimea.

Question 21

Describe Russia’s ethnic makeup and their policies over ethnicities:

Answer 21

It is 81% ethnic Russians, but 185 ethnic groups among remaining 19%. Russia classifies ethnicities by language family. Russia’s constitution grants autonomy over local gov’t affairs to 24 of the largest ethnicities. They are allowed to designate official languages in addition to Russian. However, independence movements are still flourishing.

Question 22

What are the 3 principal locations that non-Russian ethnic groups are clustered in?

Answer 22

1. 3 large groups: Tatar, Bashkir, & Chuvash are in the center, between the Volga River and Ural Mountains. They speak Turkic languages, & some others speak Uralic ones.
2. Far southwest (along the border with Azerbaijan & Georgia). Complex mix of groups classified as Caucasian, Turkic, & Indo-European.
3. Southern border with Kazakhstan & Mongolia: Turkic-speaking Kazakh and Tuvan & Mongolic-speaking Buryat.

Question 23

How has cultural diversity caused unrest among Ossetians and Abkhazians in Georgia?

Answer 23

During the 1990s, the Abkhazians fought for control of Northwest Georgia and declared themselves independent. In 2008, the Ossetians fought a war with Georgians that led to them declaring the South Ossetia part of Georgia independent. Russia has recognized this, and sent troops to both places, but not many other countries recognize it.

Question 24

How do Kazakhstan and Kyrgstan (both multinational states) compare in peacefulness?

Answer 24

-Kazakhstan: peaceful, with 67% Kazakhs & 18% Russians. Kazakhs are Muslims speaking a Turkic language.
-Kyrgyzstan: multinational, suffers from ethnic conflict. 69% Kyrgyz, 15% Uzbek, 9% Russian. Kyrgyz/Uzbek are Muslims speaking Altaic languages, but their conflict led to various presidents being overthrown in the 21st century (also ethnic cleansing in 2019 that victimized Uzbeks).

Question 25

Elaborate on the 17 places in the world that the UN identifies as “Non-self-governing territories:”

Answer 25

Western Sahara is the most extensive and populous. The next 2 are French Polynesia & New Caledonia (France). All but Western Sahara are islands. Pitcairn Island, 14 square miles (owned by UK), is least populous. It was settled in 1790 by British mutineers from the ship Bounty. Its 50 islanders survive by selling fish & postage stamps.
-Baker & Midway islands are controlled by US and uninhabited; and aren’t included in the territories.

Question 26

What are 3 examples of territories that the UN doesn’t classify as colonies?

Answer 26

1. Puerto Rico: Commonwealth of US (US citizens, but aren’t part of elections or have a Congress member).
2. Greenland: Autonomous within Denmark, who controls foreign affairs and defense (but Greenland runs its internal affairs).
3. Hong Kong & Macao: Attached to China as special administrative regions. Hong Kong was a UK colony until it reverted to China in 1997, and a year later Portugal returned its colony of Macao. The two have economic autonomy, but China controls foreign affairs/defense.

Question 27

When did the Colonial Era begin?

Answer 27

In the 1400s, when European explorers sailed for Asia but settled in the Western Hemisphere instead. Eventually, they lost most colonies (Latin American states gained independence in 1800-1824). European states turned their attention to Africa/Asia, & in 1844-85 Berlin Conference, they defined areas of Africa that they’d control.

Question 28

What are the two largest colonial empires (in terms of overseas territory)?

Answer 28

1. The UK (planting colonies on every continent)
2. France (mostly in West Africa & Southeast Asia). France assimilated its colonies into French culture and educated an elite group to provide local leadership. After they became independent, most of these leaders stayed close with France.

Question 29

When did most African & Asian colonies become independent?

Answer 29

After WWII. Only 15 were UN members at its start in 1945, but 106 of them since 2011. The new states’ boundaries frequently coincide with former colonial provinces. Japan was the principal colonial power in Asia in the 1st half of the 21st. Colonial control ended in 1945 with Japan’s defeat in WWII.