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GA Milestone Economies Review SheetCommand Economy: In a command economy, the central authority (government) is in charge and makes all economic decisions. The most important aspect of this type of economy is that all major decisions related to the production, distribution, commodity, and service prices, are all made by the government or central authority.

Market Economy: In a market economy, consumers are in charge and make economic decisions by spending money on goods and services and needs/wants. In a market economy, national and state governments play a minor role. Consumers and their buying decisions drive the economy. The assumptions of the market play a major role in deciding the right path for a country’s economic development.

Traditional Economy: In a traditional economy, things are done as they have been done in the past (traditionally). The economic system in which resources are allocated by inheritance, and which has a strong social network and is based on primitive methods and tools. It is strongly connected to subsistence farming.Economy Type What to produce? How to produce? For whom to produce?Command Whatever the government says to

produceHowever the government tells you to produce

For whomever the government tells you to produce (ideally the entire society)

Market Whatever consumers say to produce

However the consumer tells you to produce

For whomever the consumer tells you to produce

Traditional Whatever ritual, habit or custom dictates

However ritual, habit or custom dictate

For whomever ritual, habit or custom dictate

No country has a pure command or pure market economic system, most economies combine aspects of both of these pure economic systems. Real economies fall somewhere between the pure command and the pure market.

What is a mixed economy? A mixed economy blends components of two or more of the following economic systems to varying degrees: Traditional, market and command – Most countries have a Mixed Economy. However, a Mixed Economy is not an economic system but rather a blending of two different types of systems.

COUNTRY What to produce? How to produce? For whom to produce?UNITED KINGDOM Private citizens and corporations Private citizens and corporations Private citizens and corporations

GERMANY Private citizens and corporations; there are some regulations by the government in agriculture, energy , and telecommunications

Private citizens and corporations; there are some regulations by the government in agriculture, energy , and telecommunications

Private citizens and corporations; there are some regulations by the government in agriculture, energy , and telecommunications

RUSSIA Private citizens and corporations for the most part; the government has many restrictions on businesses and controls many of the larger ones

Private citizens and corporations for the most part; the government has many restrictions on businesses and controls many of the larger ones

Private citizens and corporations for the most part; the government has many restrictions on businesses and controls many of the larger ones

CANADA Private citizens and corporations Private citizens and corporations Private citizens and corporations

AUSTRALIAPrivate Citizens and corporations. Private Citizens and corporations. Private Citizens and corporations.

MEXICO Private citizens and corporations for the most part; there are some government regulations to protect both businesses and citizens

Private citizens and corporations for the most part; there are some government regulations to protect both businesses and citizens

Private citizens and corporations for the most part; there are some government regulations to protect both businesses and citizens

BRAZIL Private Citizens and corporations for the most part; the government owns some larger industries such as steel

Private Citizens and corporations for the most part; the government owns some larger industries such as steel

Private Citizens and corporations for the most part; the government owns some larger industries such as steel

CUBA Mostly owned by the government; some private ownership of small farms or businesses

Government planners Government planners

Specialization: Specialization occurs when one nation can produce a good or service at a lower opportunity cost than another nation. Specialization encourages trade and can be a positive factor in a country’s economy. For example, if a country specializes in oil, they can trade in a certain food that another country specializes in so both countries benefit. “Do what you do best; trade for the rest.”Tariff: A tariff is a tax placed on goods that one nation imports from another. Many nations use tariffs to protect their industries from foreign production. Tariffs provide protection by acting to raise the price of imported goods.Quota: A quota sets a limit on the amount of certain goods that can be imported into a country.Embargo: An embargo is an order designed to stop the movement of goods. NO TRADING! Government can only make the decision to place an embargo on a country.European Union: Exchange Rates: exchange rates provide a procedure for determining the value of one country’s currency in terms of another country’s currency. Without a system for exchanging currencies, it would be very difficult to conduct international trade.

There are four factors that most influence economic growth in a nation. These are:1. Land – Land provides the basic raw materials—vegetation, animals, minerals, fossil fuels—that are inputs into the production of goods (natural resources).2. Labor – Labor is the resource that does the “hands on” work of transferring raw materials into goods.3. Capital – (2 kinds; human capital and capital goods – defined below)4. Entrepreneurship – defined below

Human Capital – education and training of workers whether formal or on the job Gross Domestic Product – The total value of all goods and services produced within a country in a year. When countries increase their physical/human capital, their GDP will also increase.Capital – Capital is the comprehensive term for the vast array of tools, equipment, buildings, and vehicles used in production.Entrepreneurship – Entrepreneurship is the resource that undertakes the risk of bringing the other resources together and initiating the production process. An entrepreneur is a person who risks their own money to try to start a business. When a country is open to entrepreneurship, that country’s economy will grow faster.Gross Domestic Product “GDP”

GDP is value of all final goods (things made & natural resources) and services (jobs) within a nation in a given year. Developed countries, like the USA & Canada, have a high GDP. For countries that do not have many highly-valued resources, their GDP is probably very low.

So how can they maximize what they DO have???? 1) Educate and train their people = human capital2) Purchase or build items that will allow you to make more money ( a tractor or build an airport) = capital investment

NAFTA: North America Free Trade Agreement: This agree allows Canada, the USA and Mexico to trade freely without any tariffs.

European Union: A group of 28 European countries that participates in the world economy as one economic unit and operates under one official currency, the euro. The EU's goal is to create a barrier-free trade zone and to enhance economic wealth by creating more efficiency within its marketplace.

The higher the literacy rate of a country the higher the citizen’s standard of living will be. If a country improves their literacy rate, they will also improve their standard of living.

Australia has one of the freest economies in the world.

Highly developed economies like the USA, Japan, South Africa, and Israel have smaller growth rates because the sizes of these economies are already so large. Brazil Canada

Cuba Venezuela Russia Germany Mexico USA Australia

RELIGIONSJudaism Christianity Islam

Holy Book: Torah Holy Book: Bible Holy Book: Koran/Qur’anLeader: Rabbi Leader: Pastor/Preacher Leader: Iman/CaliphHoly City: Jerusalem Holy City: Jerusalem, Bethlehem,

Vatican CityHoly City: Mecca/Mekkah

Founder: Abraham Founder: Jesus Christ Founder: Muhammad

***All three religions are based on the teachings of Abraham and are located in the Holy Book the Torah.

Pure Command Pure Market

GA Milestone Government Review

Three Ways Government Systems Distribute PowerUnitary: a form of government in which power is held by one central authority (government: communism, monarchy…)Confederation: voluntary associations of independent states that, to secure some common purpose, agree to certain limitations on their power (organizations: OPEC (Organizations of Petroleum Exporting Countries), UN (United Nations), and EU (European Union)Federal: a form of government in which power is divided between on central and several regional authorities (government: republic, democracy)

UnitaryOne central government controls weaker states. Power is not shared between states, counties, or provinces.

ConfederationA weak or loose organization of states agrees to follow

a powerful central government. Nations can choose to follow or not follow the

lead of the weak central government.

FederalPower is shared by a powerful central government and states or provinces that are given considerable self-rule, usually through their own legislatures.

Citizen ParticipationAutocratic: government in which one person possesses unlimited power and the citizen has little if any role in the government.Oligarchic: government by the few, sometimes a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes, the citizen has a very limited role.Democratic: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.

Autocracy A country or nation that is governed by a single person with unlimited power; citizens have little or no power. EX: Dictatorship, Absolute Monarchy, Theocracy

OligarchyA country or nation controlled by a small group of people that hold the key to power; citizens have a limited role EX: Theocracy (government ruled by religious authority)

Democracya country or nation that receives its powerfrom the people (all the people hold the key to power);

power is given to the citizensEX: Parliamentary Democracy, PresidentialDemocracy

European GovernmentsUnited Kingdom –Parliament is the lawmaking body of the UK. It is made up of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The monarch (Queen) is considered part of parliament too. In the past, a seat in the House of Lords was passed down through aristocratic families. Today, Lords

are elected by the House or appointed to office by the monarch. The House of Lords has little power. Instead, it can make suggestions of ways to improve a bill that is on its way to becoming a law. The citizens of the UK elect the members of the House of Commons in a general election. After the election, the leader of the political party with the most members in the House of Commons is asked by the queen to become prime minister. The prime minister is the head of the government, or chief executive, and runs the governments on a day-to-day basis. The monarch is the official head of the state and sometimes referred to as the crown. The monarch’s duties are strictly ceremonial. The constitution of the UK restricts the power of the monarch.

Germany – The German parliament is made up of two houses: the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. The more powerful of the two houses is the lower house called the Bundestag. The citizens of each German state elect its members. The Bundestag also selects the chancellor. The chancellor is the chief executive of the German government and had of the military. The president is head of state and has only ceremonial duties. The Bundesrat, the upper house of parliament, represents the interests of the state governments. Each state government selects representatives for the Bundesrat. The 16 states each have a differing number of representatives, depending on the population. The Bundesrat is mainly concerned with law that affects the states, such as education and local government issues. The constitution of Germany is called Basic Law. Germany is a representative democracy and operates under the federal system. Power is divided between member states and the central law. Germans have the same basic freedoms as citizens of the UK. They have equality, freedom of press, and protection of family. The Basic Law also states that Germany is a welfare state. This means that the government guarantees people certain benefits when they are unemployed, poor, disabled, old, or sick.

Russia – The Russian Federation is governed under a constitution. The head of state is president, who is elected by the people. The president selects the prime minister. The president can also disband the legislature, or Federal Assembly. The Federal Assembly is divided is divided into two parts: the Federation Council and the State Duma. The Federation Council has two representatives from each state. The states appoint the council’s members; they are not elected directly by the people. So, the Council represents the government of the states. One of the Council’s important duties is to approve the president’s choices of people to fill different government jobs. The State Duma is larger than the Council. It has 450 members who are elected by the people. The group controls the budget and makes laws. They approve the president’s choice for prime minister. The day-to-day running of the government is split between the prime minister and the president of Russia. Russia’s constitution guarantees human and civil rights for citizens. All people are equal in the eyes of the law. Russians have the right to life and dignity, freedom of speech, and the right to privacy.

Canadian Government- Canada has a parliamentary democracy. In a parliamentary democracy, citizens elect members of parliament called MP’s, who in turn elect the prime minister. The prime minister is the chief executive of the country and heads the military, enforces laws, and keeps the country running day to day. The prime minister also leads the parliament. MP’s are elected to serve for a certain amount of time, but the parliament can be dissolved and elections held again if the prime minister feels the government is not working well. If MP’s believe that the prime minister is not making good decisions, they can vote to have new elections. The monarch (Queen) is the head of state with no real power due to Canada having a constitutional monarchy. Canada also has a federal government. Power is divided between the central government and the 10 provinces. Canada’s provinces can write their own laws and elect their own leaders. Parliaments in the provinces are organized in a similar way to the parliament of Canada. Instead of choosing a prime minister, provincial parliaments choose a premier.

Australian Government- Australia’s 6 states represent the Commonwealth of Australia. These 6 states approved a constitution. The constitution gives the federal government the right to pass laws on certain subjects. It also allows the states to convene a state parliament and pass certain laws. Any land within Australia’s national border that is not claimed by one of the states is called a territory. Territories cannot have their own government or pass laws. The Commonwealth makes the laws for the territories. The Queen of England is the head of state for Australia. She lives in England, not Australia. She does not run the country. The Queen signs laws and is the commander-in-chief of the army, navy, and air force. The Queen does not approve elections. The prime minister recommends that someone represent the Queen in Australia, and this person is the governor-general, who serves the Queen, represents her in Australia and fulfills her duties and responsibilities. The head of the government is the prime minister. This person is the leader of the political party with the most members in the Commonwealth Parliament. The person in this position is the most powerful political figure in Australia. The parliament is made up of the House of Representatives (the MP’s) and the Senate. Winning parties leader in the House of Representatives becomes the Prime Minister. The citizens vote for the members of the House of Representatives.

Latin American Governments-

Brazil- Brazil has a federal government system. Power is divided between the Central, State, and Local governments. Brazil has a presidential democracy. The citizens elect the president, and they elect the members of the legislature which is called Congress (lawmaking body). Mexico- The government of Mexico is a federal government. Power is divided between the Central, State, and Local governments. Mexico is a presidential democracy. The citizens elect the president who can serve a 6-year term. They also elect the members of the legislature, which is called Congress (lawmaking body).Cuba- The government of Cuba is a unitary government. It has a strong central government that controls the smaller local governments. Cuba is a communist dictatorship. The people are able to vote but they are only given one individual to vote for in their elections. The Communist Party controls the central government and all the local governments. Cuba is one of the least free countries in the world. The government controls nearly all aspects of life. The country has been controlled by Fidel and Raul Castro since 1959

Country Type of Government

Type of Leadership

Who has actual executive power?

How the actual leader came into power…

Role of the citizen in their Government

Freedom

United Kingdom Parliamentary Democracy

Constitutional Monarchy

Prime Minister Prime Minister Members of parliament in House of Commons votes for the Prime Minister.

The citizens of the UK elect the members of the House of Commons in a general election.

The citizens have many personal freedoms.

Germany Federal Parliamentary Republic

Chancellor Chancellor The members of the Bundestag select the chancellor of Germany.

The citizens of Germany elect the members of the Bundestag.


Russia The Russian Federation

President President Members of State Duma vote for the President.

The citizens of Russia elect the members of the State Duma in a general election.


Canada Parliamentary Federal Democracy

Constitutional Monarchy




Australia Federal Parliamentary Democracy




Brazil Federative Republic of BrazilPresidential Democracy

President President Citizens of proper age directly elect the President of the USA.

To elect officials in office to represent them.


Cuba Republic of Cuba (Communist)

President (Dictator)

President (Dictator)

Men and woman aged 16 years or over may choose to vote, but they have one candidate to vote on.

Very small role-they do what the government tells them to do

Very few personal freedoms.

Mexico United Mexican States

Presidential Democracy

President President The citizens have many personal freedoms.



United States Presidential Democracy

President President Citizens of proper age directly elect the President of the USA.

To elect officials in office to represent them.


GA Milestone Region ReviewEUROPE

Geography:Europe's landforms include high, snowcapped mountains and broad plains. Its major landform, the Northern

European Plain, has rich, fertile soil that supports farms and livestock. Europe produces a large amount of grains, including nearly all the world's rye. It also contains energy and mineral resources such as coal. For these reasons, it is the most densely populated area of Europe. Europe has an abundance of rivers, lakes, and other waterways. It is also surrounded by seas, which has encouraged trade and helped people travel easily. Remember: the Ural, Alps, and Pyrenees mountains block trade.

Southern Europe enjoys a Mediterranean climate, while eastern and some areas of northern Europe have a humid continental climate. Areas of the far north, such as Norway, Sweden, and Finland, are in the subarctic climate zone. Parts of northern Russia are in the tundra climate zone.

The 3 major environmental concerns are Acid Rain in Germany, Smog in the United Kingdom, and Radiation in Ukraine. The Acid Rain in Germany is caused by its own industrial factories and cars, but also because the pollution from the rest of Europe sinks down into the Northern European Plain. It destroys trees, erodes statues/art, and hurts wildlife. In the UK, the people are so densely populated (tightly packed) that the cars and factories created air pollution. The combination of smoke and fog create thick “smog” in London. In 1986, a chain reaction in the reactor went out of control creating explosions and a fireball in Chernobyl, Ukraine. The Chernobyl accident killed more than 30 people immediately, and as a result of the high radiation levels in the surrounding 20-mile radius, 135,000 people had to be evacuated….forever.

Many European languages, such as French, Italian, and Spanish, are based on Latin, the language of Rome. Germanic people from the north invaded the Roman Empire and overthrew the last Roman emperor. This is why Germanic languages, such as German and English are spoken in the North. Finally, the eastern part of the empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, lasted another 1,000 years. This is why the Eastern countries still speak Slavic languages.

European society and culture are more secular, but most European Christians still belong to the Roman Catholic Church (Christian). But there are 3 major religions in Europe: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. All three have a common founder in Abraham and his teachings are located in the Judaic holy book the Torah. Abraham believed a voice from the heavens told him to be monotheistic (which was new, because most people 4,000 years ago worshiped many gods). People that followed him were called Jews. The Jewish holy texts are called the Torah and the Talmud. Their major holidays include Yom Kippur (day of repentance) and Passover (day that the Jews were not hurt by God’s wrath by the Egyptians who enslaved them). About 2,000 years after Abraham, a Jew named Jesus declared himself to be the awaited Jewish Messiah. He was crucified, but his followers believe that he rose from the dead. His followers are called Christians. Their holy book is called the Bible and includes parts of the Jewish texts and stories of Jesus’ ministry. Their major holidays include Christmas (feast of Jesus’ birth) and Easter (feast of Jesus’ resurrection). Around 600 years after Jesus’ ministry, Mohammed believed that an angel told him that he was the last prophet (others included Abraham and Jesus) for Allah. His followers are called Muslims. Their holy book is the Koran, which includes stories of all 5 prophets. Their major holidays include the month of Ramadan (fasting and prayer in the month that Mohammed was revealed the Koran) and ending in Eid al-Fitr (a celebration at the end of the fast). History:

In the fifteenth century, Europeans set out on a series of overseas voyages that would lead to the establishment of European trading posts and colonies in both the Americas and the East. This was due in large part by Prince Henry the Navigator’s school for exploration. Religious zeal, a quest for personal and national glory, and a desire for new wealth were the chief motives behind the European voyages. New technologies and the growing power of the European monarchies made the voyages possible. The Spanish and Portuguese conquests of Central and South America were rapid and devastated the Aztec and Inca civilizations. Wanting to share in the wealth, the Dutch, English, and French moved to set up colonies in North America, South America, Africa, and Asia.

There were 4 M.A.I.N. causes for World War I: Militarism (buildup of military and everyone wanting to use their new guns), Alliances (some countries made secret pacts with others to help out in case of war), Imperialism (Europe rushed to take over the world, which made the European countries resent each other), and Nationalism (the belief that one’s country is so great that it’s okay to dislike everyone else).

After World War I, Europe was in a serious economic depression. Many countries were bombed so badly that they were in ruins and could not make money. The Treaty of Versailles, which ended WWI, hurt Germany the hardest by demanding money they did not have and calling them out as the main “bad guys” of the war. These 2 factors led to the rise of the Nazi party, which promised to make Germany great again. Additionally, by 1900, most countries had begun to limit the power of rulers. However, fewer changes occurred in Russia, where czars remained powerful and focused on modernizing the economy. Following World War I, a communist state was established in Russia (now called the USSR/Soviet Union).

The Nazi party soon took over Germany, which elected the soon-dictator Adolph Hitler. He blamed much of the suffering of Germany on the Jews and the French (who wrote the treaty of Versailles), so he went to war with both groups. This was World War II. Inside Germany and neighboring countries, he killed Jews and other people he did not like in the Holocaust. The United Kingdom, The United States, the Soviet Union, teamed up to beat him.

After the war, the USSR and the United States became known as world super powers and locked in a struggle for world influence. This tense time between the United States and the Soviet Union became known as the Cold War. Much of the Cold War centered on the split Germany (West: democracy; East: communism). Once the Soviet Union fell apart, it led to the collapse of the communist party and rise of democracy in (again called) Russia. It also led to the reunification of Germany under Democracy. Economics:

The United Kingdom, Germany, and Russia all have mixed economies, although Russia’s economy is much closer to “command” than to “market.

The European Union was created after World War II to economically help Europe. It has encouraged trades. Today, many countries use the Euro coins to encourage trade through Europe.Government:

The United Kingdom has a unitary government with a Parliamentary Democracy. Germany has a Federal government with a Parliamentary Democracy (*even though the leader is called a “president” – I know, confusing). Russia has a Federal government with a Parliamentary democracy (Here, the leader is also called a President!). Vladmir Putin, the leader of Russia, is not allowing much in the way of Freedoms. Many people in Russia are unhappy with his leadership style. Leaders of the free world are keeping an eye on Vladmir Putin.

CANADAGeography:

Because so much of Canada’s population, cities and industry are located in the southern part of their country, so is most of Canada’s pollution. Gases emitted from factories, cars and even coal burning stoves can mix with water vapor in clouds and cause acid rain. Acid rain can kill plant life, poison waterways and destroy buildings (eats away marble and stone). Over 35 million US and Canadian citizens live along The Great Lakes. The Lakes provide food, employment, transportation and recreation for both countries. Industrial pollution and run-off from cities and large farms risk pushing The Great Lakes to the point where they may not be able to recover. Logging and timber companies are big business in Canada. They provide thousands of jobs for Canadians. However, because past generations of loggers and timber men failed to properly re-plant and manage their forests it has caused Canada woodland’s to not grow as fast as they should.

Most of Canada’s population lives within 200 miles of the United States/Canadian border because the southern part of their country is very cold up North. Climate plays a big role in where Canadians live as they share some of the same latitudes as countries like Norway and Russia. Because of their proximity (closeness) to the United States, the US is Canada’s leading trading partner. Even though Canada has great mineral wealth and many other natural resources, most of those are not located near large cities.

Most people speak French or English in Canada because France & England colonized the land. Most people are Catholic (from the French) or Protestant (from the English) Christians.History:

John Cabot, an explorer who worked for King Henry VII of England, left Europe in 1497 and sailed west. He hoped to find a shortcut to Asia. Instead, he landed on the east coast of what is now Canada. This is important, because in later years, Great Britain will claim much of the territory located on the east coast of North America as theirs…since Cabot was working for them when the east coast was discovered. French explorer Samuel Champlain established France’s first permanent colony in Canada at Quebec in 1608. He made friends with the Huron tribe and helped them fight their traditional enemy the Iroquois Indians. The Iroquois swore to fight the French, from then on. The colony became wealthy by trade in furs, timber and fish.

Canada came under British rule after the British won the French & Indian War in 1763. The British government let the French people continue to follow their own culture in Quebec. In part because the British did not want another American Revolution in Canada, they allowed Canada to start governing itself. Canada gradually became independent from Great Britain, until 1931 when it became “fully” independent and autonomous. Today, it is part of the British Commonwealth but runs itself. Former French strongholds of Quebec and Montreal maintained a mostly pro-France population. British efforts to control the region were always met with defiance. Both language and religious differences kept the Quebec area isolated from the rest of the country. Since 1960, there were UNSUCCESSFUL violent attempts to make Quebec independent. In 1974 French became the official language of the province.Quebec voters narrowly rejected secession from Canada in a 1995 referendum. Economics:

Canada has a mixed economy that is pretty close to pure Market.Government:

Canada is a constitutional monarchy: The British made Canada part of its Empire, and then granted it independence. The Prime Minister, reports to The Queen’s representative in Canada (The Governor General). Canada is a parliamentary democracy: The people elect members of Parliament to represent them. The executive branch of government is nominated to their position by Parliament, and is directly responsible to it; this type of government can be dissolved at will by the Parliament

Canada is a federation: Power is divided and shared between the central government and the provinces so that each region retains some management of its internal affairs. The central government, in Ottawa, creates policies that directly affect upon individuals as well as the provinces and territories

LATIN AMERICAGeography:

Most people in Mexico live in Mexico City. Mexico City has most of its wind currents blocked by surrounding hills and mountains. Therefore, air pollution sometimes can’t be blown out of the area for days…sometimes weeks! In Venezuela, the discovery of oil brought new wealth to the government, and this same government is supposed to regulate oil pollution and clean up. The Brazilian Rainforest is essentially the “lungs” of South America. Cutting down those plants is not such a good idea; not to mention the destruction of wildlife and habitat for native peoples there.

Both Mexico and Venezuela have warm to semi-tropical climates in some parts of their countries. Both are influenced by weather patterns brought into their countries by the oceans. OIL (petroleum) is now the chief natural resource for both countries. Venezuela has done a better job of exploiting that natural resource, but Mexico is working hard to catch up.

Cuba’s climate is generally warm, mild and semi-tropical. It is often affected by ocean storms and hurricanes. Brazil’s climate is tropical and humid in many locations and warm and mild along the coastline. Cuba has limited natural resources. They rely on tourism (not good after the embargo). Brazil has extensive timber resources, as well as, gold and petroleum deposits.

The people speak Spanish and Portuguese because those countries colonized the region. They practice Catholicism for the same reason. Latin America is a true mixed society: the people make up every variation of European, Native America, and African descent. History:

1519-1521: Hernando Cortés captures and destroys Aztec city Tenochtitlan, will be renamed by Spanish as Mexico City. The Aztecs are led by Montezuma II. Part of the reason for their downfall is because they mistook Cortes for their god Quetzalcoatl, who was supposed to return from across the ocean that year. The Aztec practiced human sacrifice & had floating islands. 1532: Pizarro, with 180 men, takes Peru and destroys the Inca Empire. The Inca were centered at Machu Picchu in Peru. Their leader, Atahualpa, did NOT think that the Spanish were gods, but thought he scared them away. The Spanish attacked at the victory celebration. The Spanish were able to defeat these large indigenous tribes with a small army due to their more advanced weapons and the European diseases they brought with them killed large numbers of the indigenous people. Due to the dwindling indigenous population the Europeans had to find slaves to take their place doing hard labor for them, so they went to Africa and traded supplies for people. The Europeans chose Africa because the people were used to working in the hot tropical weather. African slavery led to triangular trade which involved the Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Items and people were traded for economic profit. African slavery is still evident in Latin America today because many Latin American’s have African Slave ancestors.

THE COLUMBIAN EXCHANGE: The Americas received the following items from the Europeans: Gunpowder, Horses & other “farm” animals, Christianity, Slaves, Wheat, Oranges, Bananas, Coffee, Rice, Sugar, AND diseases like Smallpox (that wiped out up to 95% of Natives). The Europeans received the following items from the Americas: Corn, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Peppers, Pumpkins, Squash, Chocolate, Turkey, and Tobacco.

Spanish control didn’t last forever. Haiti led a slave uprising against the French. British and Spanish forces invaded the French colony. Haitian leader Toussaint L’Ouverture defeated the European generals in battle, then ruled Haiti until 1802. Toussaint L’Ouverture’s success inspired others in Latin America to strive for independence from colonial rule. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Mexican priest and supporter of the poor and native Meso-Americans, became a revolutionary hero when he led an unsuccessful rebellion against Spanish rule in 1810. He was illed by Spanish soldiers. It took 3 more revolutions for Mexico to be “free”. Arguably the most important man in South American history, Simón Bolívar helped win independence from Spain for Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Revered throughout South America, Bolívar earned the name The Liberator.

In 1959, Cuban rebels (led by Fidel Castro) overthrew the corrupt government of President Fulgencio Batista. Castro would turn to the communist country the Soviet Union for financial and military aid, when it was discovered that the U.S. was trying to overthrow him at the Bay of Pigs ( the overthrow of Castro took place in large part because of U.S. businesses placing pressure on the U.S. government). Cuba would be the first country in the western hemisphere to become communist. Cuba would actively attempt to spread communism to other nations. Impact: Threat of Communism in the Western Hemisphere forced the U.S. to stay actively involved in Latin American politics. U.S. initiated a trade embargo on Cuba. It proved that the underprivileged of Latin America could be receptive to the idea of communism.

Based in the Mexican state of Chiapas, they are a revolutionary group that has declared war on the Mexican government. Many of the poor in that area have been attracted to the Zapatista’s because they claim that the Mexican government has forgotten them and only care about making money and big businesses. In 1994, they openly took control of several towns in southern Mexico in response to Mexico signing the NAFTA. The Mexican Army was forced to go in and put down the rebellion. The Zapatistas still have a lot of support in the poorer areas of Mexico because they support the indigenous Mexican farmer who have no health care, little education, live in homes that are not safe, etc…Economics:

Brazil has a mixed economy. Cuba has (the closest we’ll ever see to) a command economy. This is because the Communist government system controls the economy so that supplies are equally distributed to everyone (in theory).

Two major trade policies are in place: (1) NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement. This says that there are NO trade barriers (tariffs, quotas, embargos) between the countries of Canada, USA, and Mexico. There is also a major embargo between the USA and Cuba because the governments disagree and due to the Cuban Missile crisis when Fidel Castro allowed the Soviet Union to place missiles on Cuban land aimed at the United States..Government:

Brazil has a federal democracy. Cuba has a unitary autocracy. *Officially, Cuba has a president, led since the revolution by the Castro family. But the voters may only vote for the Communist party – not very “democratic”.

AUSTRALIAGeography:

Australia is an island, a continent, and a single country. Its land is mostly flat with a few low mountains. The interior of Australia is desert or steppe and has a dry climate. Coastal areas have more moderate temperatures and receive more rainfall than inland areas. Most Australians live near the southeastern coast, where summers are warm and winters are cool and rainy. Australia is rich in natural resources. Its mines yield minerals, such as bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, and uranium. Australia also is a source of gems, such as diamonds, sapphires, and opals. The country has some oil and large deposits of coal, which supplies its energy. Wind and solar energy are not widely developed. Due to Australia being separated from other continents for millions of years, unique plants and animals have developed there.

Australia speaks English because the English colonized them. They are mostly Christian for the same reason.History:

During the late 1700s, Captain James Cook claimed Australia for Great Britain. The British government sent prisoners to found settlements in the island continent. By the mid-1800s, this prison system had ended, and free British settlers arrived to farm the land and raise sheep for wool. As settlers took more land, the Aborigines were forced to defend their traditional grounds. By the late 1800s, war and disease had greatly reduced the Aborigine population.

In the 1800s, Great Britain divided Australia into five separate colonies that made their own laws. Every adult male was allowed to vote, paving the way for democracy for the colonists. In 1901 the Australian colonies united to form an independent country known as the Commonwealth of Australia. Women soon won the right to vote, but Aborigines did not have the rights of citizens. In the 1900s, Australia fought in two world wars as an ally of Great Britain. The Aborigines finally got the right to vote in 1960.Economics:

Australia has a mixed economy that focuses on manufacturing & tourism.Government:

Today, Australia is a parliamentary democracy with a federal form of government. The head of Australia's national government is the prime minister, chosen from the majority party in Parliament. It is part of the British Commonwealth.

1: Russia2: Ukraine3: Poland4: Germany5: France6: Spain7: United Kingdom8: Belgium9: Italy10: Canada11: Mexico12: Cuba13: Haiti14: Panama15: Columbia16: Venezuela17: Brazil

Physical Features:Europe:the Danube River, Rhine River, English Channel, Mediterranean Sea, European Plain, the Alps, Pyrenees, Ural Mountains, Iberian Peninsula, and Scandinavian Peninsula. Canada:St. Lawrence River, Hudson Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, the Great Lakes, Canadian Shield, and Rocky Mountains. Latin America:Amazon River, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean, Panama Canal, Andes Mountains, Sierra Madre Mountains, and Atacama Desert.

1: Russia2: Ukraine3: Poland4: Germany5: France6: Spain7: United Kingdom8: Belgium9: Italy10: Canada11: Mexico12: Cuba13: Haiti14: Panama15: Columbia16: Venezuela17: Brazil

Physical Features:Europe:the Danube River, Rhine River, English Channel, Mediterranean Sea, European Plain, the Alps, Pyrenees, Ural Mountains, Iberian Peninsula, and Scandinavian Peninsula. Canada:St. Lawrence River, Hudson Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, the Great Lakes, Canadian Shield, and Rocky Mountains. Latin America:Amazon River, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean, Panama Canal, Andes Mountains, Sierra Madre Mountains, and Atacama Desert.

History29%

Geo-graphy31%

Gov't15%

Econ25%

6th grade Milestone

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