Political Geography research

Our next discussion of Political Geography will revolve around the origins of the countries we have been studying.  We will be covering terms such as state, nation, colonialism, imperialism, etc.  To prepare for this, we will be spending some class time researching the early origins of these nations. The CIA Factbook and Wikipedia are good resources.  We will approach our research using these questions:

When did (this country) achieve independence?

What was their history before they became independent?

Were they ever the subjects of another country?

Where can this country be found on a world or regional map?

More details in class.  Examples below.  Feel free to use the examples I have provided as a template for doing your research on Afghanistan, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Iran, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela.

United States

Declared independence on July 4, 1776

From the 1500s through the 1700s, they were settled and colonized by the Spanish, British, French, Dutch, Portuguese, and other European nations.  The original thirteen colonies were held by Great Britain until the Revolutionary War, after which they became the first thirteen states.  There are now 50 states in the United States.  The United States is considered the last true superpower, with the world's largest military and the world's largest economy.

Israel

Israel became an independent state on May 14, 1948

Following World War Two, the newly-formed United Nations drafted a treaty dividing up some of Palestine's land.  They established an independent Arab state and an independent Jewish state.  Many Jews emigrated to the new nation of Israel post WWII.  Creation of this new Jewish state was not universally accepted by Arabs, even though Israel was officially admitted to the UN on May 11, 1949.  There is still controversy surrounding Israel's very existence in the Middle East.

China

China's official date of independence is October 1, 1949.

China is one of the world's oldest civilizations.  As long ago as 221 BC, China was unified as a nation during the Qin dynasty.  They formed a republic on January 1, 1912.  The current Communist government, officially called the People's Republic of China, was formed in 1949.