History 1 TEKS Presentation

1. History 1 TEKS Presentation

2. U.S & Canada • The native people of the United states and Canada came to the land by crossing over the Beringia land bridge that connected Asia and modern-day Alaska. • The Columbian Exchange was a huge event of cultural diffusion that started when the Europeans came to the Americas. New plants and animals were transmitted between the 2 hemispheres. • For more than half of it’s history as a nation, the United States was governed by white males, because they were the only ones who could vote. Black males could vote after the Civil War, and women could vote in 1920. Since then all citizens had equal voting power. • The United States fought wars to gain or defend territory. • The 2 party republic of the United States makes for slow decision making, but it ensures that the people are heard.

3. Latin America • The Andes Mountains are a large mountain range along the western coast of South America and a barrier to movement to the interior. Despite this, the Andes were home to some of the most powerful native civilizations. • Spanish influence is shown through religion and language. Most Latin Americans are Roman Catholic, and speak Spanish. • Most Latin American countries have been oligarchies, governments by a few. They limited free speech and other rights. Argentina was an oligarchy. • Civilizations in the Andes used terrace farming to prevent soil erosion.

4. Europe • Europe’s nations were seafaring and traders because of the large number of peninsulas and rivers in the region. • Europeans altered their environments in many ways, one of them being polders, converting ocean floor to land. • Power in Europe has shifted from aristocrats and kings to the common people over time. • Most European countries were monarchies until a revolution occurred because the common people were discontented. Most revolutions got rid of the royal family all together, or gave more power to the people and less to the king. • Wars were most often waged for African or American colonies. • Resources are the main cause of decisions in Europe. The European union was formed to give member countries access to the markets within the union.

5. Russia and the Republics • Russia’s people are mostly located on the Northern European plain, a fertile land that contains 75% of the region’s people. • The Aral Sea is being drained for Irrigation. It’s size have been reduced by 80%. • Russia and the republics were once one communist country. The people disliked the communist government and tried to become more democratic. • Ethnic groups cause conflict in many of the former republics.

6. Africa • The land along the Nile is densely populated because of the fertile soil. • The Sahel is growing larger because of overgrazing and farming. • The dominant ethnic group is the one in control of the government in an African country. • Religion, ethnic group, or resources cause conflict in Africa. • Ethnic loyalties are the driving force of decisions in many African countries.

7. South-West Asia • South-West Asia has many deserts, these areas are unpopulated. • The Persian Gulf has large reserves of Oil. Oil rigs and refineries are all along the region. • Religion, oil, and ethnic groups cause conflict in the region. When there is conflict in South-West Asia, oil prices rise across the world. • Social policies in South-West Asia are often influenced by religion. The Taliban in Afghanistan enforces a strict Islamic way of life on the nation’s citizens.

8. South Asia • The Himalayas of South Asia contain the largest mountains of the world and because of this it prevents cultural diffusion. • The Ganges river in India provides water for drinking, farming, and transportation. As the region became industrialized, the water became unsafe for humans. • The Himalayan countries are more traditional. In Bhutan, the king has absolute power. In Nepal, there is an elected parliament. • India became a democracy after it’s independence from England. • There has been conflict between India and Pakistan over land and religion. • Bhutan tries to maintain their traditional way of life. They regulate the tourist industry and limit the number of tourists.

9. East Asia • Many of the Chinese live by one of the 3 great rivers, because of the water they provide for drinking and irrigation. • Japanese culture now has many western influences. • The three major rivers of China have become polluted because of the large amount of factories nearby. • South Korean democracy provides the country with freedom of expression and an openness to cultural diffusion. • North Korea focuses on glorifying communism and tradition.

10. South-East Asia and Oceania • Human’s don’t live in Antarctica because of it’s freezing climate and desolate landscape. • English settlers of Austrialia brought rabbits on their voyage. They multiplied and pushed native species. The problem got out of hand, until a virus was used to decimate the rabbit population. • Micronesian islands have been used as the testing sites of nuclear weapons. • In New Zealand, equal rights for both settlers and natives have been a concern.