november 8, 2015s. mathews1 human geography by james rubenstein chapter 6 key issue 4 why do...

April 20, 2023 S. Mathews 1

Human Geography

By James Rubenstein

Chapter 6Key Issue 4

Why do territorial conflicts arise among religious

groups?


Fundamentalism

The literal interpretation and a strict and intense

adherence to basic principles of a religion (or a religious branch, denomination, or sect).


Religion vs. Government Policies

In recent years, religious principles have become

increasingly important in the political organization of

countries, especially where a branch of Christianity or Islam

is the prevailing religion.


Religion vs. Social Change

Many religious adherents in LDCs view economic

development as incompatible with

religious values . . . especially where

Christianity is not the predominant religion.


Taliban vs. Western Values

Gained power in Afghanistan in 1996.

The U.S. welcomed them as a strong impediment to future invasion by the Russians.

Imposed strict laws inspired by Islamic values.


Taliban Laws Men were beaten for shaving their beards.

Homosexuals were buried alive.

Prostitutes were hanged in front of large audiences.

Thieves had their hands cut off.

Women wearing nail polish had their fingers cut off.


Banned Western Leisure Activities

such as . . . playing music, flying kites, watching television, and

surfing the internet.


Hinduism vs. Social Equality

Hinduism has been strongly challenged

since the 1800s by the British.

The most vulnerable aspect of Indian culture was the Caste System.


CasteA system in which the

class or distinct hereditary order into

which a Hindu was assigned according to

religious law.Originated with the Aryans

in 1500 B.C.E.


Caste System Brahmans were the priests and top administrators.

Kshatriyas were warriors. Vaisyas were merchants. Shudras were agricultural workers or artisans.

The Outcasts, or Untouchables did the work too dirty for the other classes.


Caste System Today

Although the Caste System was outlawed by

the Indian Government . . .

socially the system is still very much alive.


Communism vs. Religion Karl Marx had called

religion “the opium of the people.”

The Communist government of the Soviet Union pursued antireligious programs.

The role of organized religion in Soviet life could be reduced and was.


Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Islam vs. the Soviet Union

The end of Communist rule brought a religious revival in Eastern Europe.

Central Asian countries are struggling to determine the extent to which laws should conform to Islamic custom.


Buddhism vs. Southeast Asian

Countries The French, the United States and the Communist were not particularly sympathetic to the Buddhists.

Buddhists immolated themselves in protest to policies of South Vietnam.


Buddhist Monk

burning himself in protest of the South Vietnam

Government


Religion vs. Religion

Conflicts are most likely to occur at boundaries between

two religious groups.Two long-standing conflicts

involving religious groups are

1. The Middle East2. Northern Ireland


Religion Wars in the Middle East

Jews, Christians, and Muslims have fought for 2000 years to control the same strip of land.

All three groups trace their origins to Abraham in the Old Testament narrative.


Claims on Palestine Judaism call Palestine the Promised Land.

Christians consider Palestine the Holy Land.

Muslims regard Jerusalem as their third holiest city. It is the place from which Muhammad is thought to have ascended to heaven.


Old City of

Jerusalem


Spread of Islam The Arab army diffused Islam throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

In C.E. 710, Muslim armies conquered Spain and occupied much of France.

In 1453 Muslim armies captured Constantinople and later advanced up to Bosnia and Herzegovina.


European Response to Islam

In C.E. 735, Charles Martel of the Franks halted the Muslim advance into Western Europe and insured that Christianity would be Europe’s dominant religion.

Europe launched a series of Crusades to capture Jerusalem and finally lost in 1244.


Control of Palestine The Ottoman Empire controlled Palestine between 1516 and 1917.

Great Britain took over Palestine from the League of Nations mandate after World War I but withdrew in 1948.

The United Nations voted to partition Palestine into two states in 1947.


Israel’s New Beginning

In 1948, Jews declared an independent state of Israel.

Arab neighbors declared War. A 1949 Armistice divided the control of Jerusalem, but denied Jews access to the Old City.

Israel won 3 more wars with their neighbors in 1956, 1967, and 1973.


Jews Captured Territory from

Neighbors Israel captured the West Bank and the entire city of Jerusalem from Jordan.

Israel acquired the Golan Heights from Syria.

Israel gained the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt.


Partition Plan of 1947


Boundary Changes

After 1948-

1949 War


Boundary Changes

after 1967 (Six Day

War)


Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, and

in return Egypt recognized Israel’s right

to exist.The status of the other territories has not been

settled.


After the 1973 war, Egypt and Jordan recognized the Palestinians as legitimate

rulers of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The Palestinians saw themselves as the rulers

of Israel.


The West Bank A section of the western bank of the Jordan river.

U.N. petitioned for a Palestinian state.

After 1967 war, Israel allowed Jewish settlements in the region.

Palestinians see immigration as a hostile act.


With 100 settlements,

the Jews represent only 7% of

the population of

the West Bank.


Palestinian Question

The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) led fight against Israel.

Israel allowed limited authority over West Bank and Gaza by the Palestinian Authority.

Some Palestinians want to continue fighting for all the land.


The U.N. partition allocated the highlands

to the Palestinians.Jordan and Syria used

the highlands from which to attack the

Jews.


The Palestinia

ns occupied most of the high ground.


The ultimate obstacle to peace in the region is

the status of Jerusalem.Israel has no intention of

giving up control of the Old City.

Palestinians refuse to give up their claim to it.


Religious Wars in Ireland

The most troublesome boundary in Western Europe.

Northern Ireland occupies 1/6th of the island of Eire (Ireland).


The Irish Republic Island became a part of the United Kingdom in 1801.

After a succession of bloody confrontations, Ireland became a republic in 1949.

Protestant northern counties voted to stay in the United Kingdom.


Distribution of

Protestants in

Ireland


Northern Ireland Majority protestant. Due to discrimination, Roman Catholics began protesting in 1968.

Extremist groups formed to promote their views.

A 1999 peace agreement frequently must be suspended.


Conflict The majority of Catholics and Protestants want to live in peace.

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) are dedicated to Irish Unity.

The Ulster Defense Force (UDF) is one of the protestant extremist who are willing to fight the IRA.

november 8, 2015s. mathews1 human geography by james rubenstein chapter 6 key issue 4 why do...

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