social studies 2 Flashcards
where are the himalayas located? what is the name of the highest point?
Asia- Nepal, india china, Pakistan, and Bhutan
Highest point: Everest
where are the andes mountains located? what is the name of the highest point?
South America- Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Columbia, Venezuela
Peak: Aconcagua
where are the alps located? what is the name of the highest point?
Europe- France, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, and Liechtenstein
Peak: Mount Blanc
where are the rocky mountains located? what is the name of the highest point? why are they significant?
left side of the US: 3,000 miles north-to-south from new mexico, across the US into Montana, and well into Canada
Peak: Mount Elbert
Longest mountain range in north America and second longest in the world
Smaller mountain ranges within include:
- Big horn mountains, the front range, the Wasatch mountains, and the bitterroot range
- National parks: yellowstone, rocky mountain, grand teton, and glacier
where are the appalachians located? what is the name of the highest point? why are they significant?
right side of the US- east coast; from northern Alabama to maine
Smaller mountain ranges within include:
-Smoky mountain, blue ridge mountains, green mountains, white mountains, Longfellow mountains, and the Berkshires
where are the sierra nevada mountains located? what is the name of the highest point? why are they significant?
west coast of the US; mostly in cali and some in Nevada
Peak: mount whitney
Home to yosemite national park and lake tahoe
what are the names of the 5 great lakes?
(from left to right)
Superior Michigan Huron Eerie Ontario
what are some of the geographical features that effected Napoleon and Hitler’s attempts to invade Russia?
(Hitler invaded Russia in WWII)
Very poor road network
Inclement weather
Very poor agricultural base
what is the panama canal? why is it important?
o Connects the pacific and atlantic oceans
48 miles long
Important for international maritime trade
Construction of the canal began in 1881 by France
- There were engineering problems and too many people were dying due to disease
- Construction stopped until the US took over in 1904 and it took 10 years to complete
- The canal allowed ships to travel more safely and in half the time
- In 1999 the Panamanian gov took control of the canal
- Is one of the 7 wonders of the modern world
- Many prospectors used this canal during the California gold rush
who is alexander the great? why is he important?
King of Macedonia (southeast Europe) from 336 to 323 BC
He united Greece, reestablished the Corinthian League and conquered the Persian Empire
Became king of Persia, Babylon and Asia, and created Macedonian colonies in the region
what were the Europeans motives for early exploration of North America?
Wealth and Religion
However, motives were different for Spanish, French, and English explorers, but all wanted to find the Northwest Passage
NP: direct and efficient route to the Orient- home of spices, silks, and wealth
-All wanted to lay claim to new land to expand their empires
what were the three groups of Europeans during the early exploration of North America?
spanish
french
english
what were the spanish’s motives during early exploration of North America?
In search of mineral wealth
Looking for El Dorado, city of gold
Aspired to spread Christianity
what were the french’s motives during early exploration of north america?
Also wanted to spread Christianity and find a new route by water to the east through North America
what were the english’s motives during early exploration of north america?
Motivated by a desire to colonize as much of the Americas as possible to add to the ever-increasing British Empire
why is christopher columbus important?
Sailed from Palos, Spain in search of a route to Asia and the Indies, instead- found the New World- the Americas
His journey marked the beginning of centuries of transatlantic colonization
Made 4 trips across the atlantic ocean
what were the three regional identities during the colonial era?
new england
mid-atlantic/middle
southern
all relied on each other for certain items or skills
what were some of the characteristics of the new england people during the colonial era?
Primarily religious reformers and separatists
Seeking a new way of life to glorify God and for the greater good of their spiritual life
Had skilled craftsman in the industry of shipbuilding
First specialized in nautical/boating equipment- region later developed mills and factories
Environment is ideal for water-powered machinery
what were some of the characteristics of the mid-atlantic/middle people during the colonial era?
Welcomed people from various and diverse lifestyles
Presented a diverse workforce of farmers, fisherman, and merchants
Had rich farmland and moderate climate
More suitable place to grow grain and livestock than new England
Environment was ideal for small to large farms
Coastal lowlands and bays provided harbors- were able to provide trading opportunities where the three regions meet in market towns and cities
what are some characteristics of the southern people during the colonial era?
Were established as economic ventures and were seeking natural resources to provide material wealth to the mother country and themselves
Primarily agricultural with few cities and limited schools
Had fertile farmlands which contributed to the rise of cash crops (rice, tobacco, and indigo)
Plantations developed as nearly subsistent communities
Slavery allowed wealthy aristocrats and large landowners to cultivate huge tracts of land
what was the first permanent english colony founded in America?
Jamestown, Virginia
Founded as America’s first permanent English colony in 1607
13 years before Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in Mass.
Founded by the Virginia Company of London, a group of investors who hoped to profit from the venture
John Smith was the colony’s leader
what were the new england colonies?
Connecticut Colony
The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Province of New Hampshire
what is the french and indian war?
North American conflict in a larger imperial war between Great Britain and France known as the Seven Years’ War
Began in 1754 and ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763
-Peace treaty between the US and Britain that ended American Revolutionar War
Provided Great Britain with enormous territorial gains in North America, but fights over subsequent frontier policy and paying the war’s expenses led to colonial discontent, and ultimately to the American Revolution
The war was enormously expensive and british gov attempted to impose taxes on colonists to help cover these expenses and resulted in increasing colonial resentment of british attempts to expand imperial authority in the colonies
The british also attempted to limit western expansion by colonists and inadvertent provocation of a major indian war further angered the British subjects living in the American colonies
—–all led to colonial rebellion and a full-scale war for independence
what was the slave trade?
Africans were the immigrants to the british new world that had no choice in their destinations or destinies
what were some of the reasons for the declaration of independence?
July 4, 1776
Explained to the whole world that the 13 british colonies were seeking to start their own country
-Britain was taxing and mistreating the colonies
Stated that the American colonies would no longer be a part of Great Britain and would form their own country
Listed the colonists’ thoughts about freedom and what government should be like and the reasons why they thought the British were being unfair
