Social Studies Quiz: Government and Geography

Geography

• Latitude lines run horizontally around the Earth, longitude lines run vertically.
• A compass rose shows directions (North, South, East, West) on maps, aiding navigation.
• The Prime Meridian is a vertical line of 0° longitude, passing through Greenwich, England, used as a reference for time zones.
• The Equator is a horizontal line of 0° latitude, dividing Earth into Northern and Southern hemispheres, typically warm and humid.

Foundations of Democracy

• Democracy: Citizens hold the power to govern.
• Enlightenment: A 17th and 18th-century period emphasizing reason, science, and individual rights over tradition.
• Republic/Representative Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to make decisions. The Roman Republic was the first.
• Autocracy: One person holds all governing power and makes all decisions.
• Divine Right: The belief that rulers receive their power directly from God.
• Constitutional/Limited Monarchy: Rulers share power with government bodies.
• Absolute Monarchy: Rulers have total power without limitations.
• Direct Democracy: Citizens directly vote on laws. Ancient Athens is an example.

Philosophers

• King Louis XIV: Believed only the king had the right to make decisions, and his power came from God. Believed in absolute monarchy. Believed people could not be trusted to govern.
• Elizabeth I: Believed in a strong monarchy, supported advice from others but believed others could help govern but still needed authority.
• Locke: Believed in a government for the people, based on consent. Supported democracy. Believed people could be trusted to govern.
• Hobbes: Believed a strong leader was needed to avoid chaos and keep peace. Supported absolute monarchy. Did not believe people could be trusted to govern.
• Montesquieu: Believed that separating government powers (legislative, executive, judicial) would prevent abuse. Believed people could be trusted to govern.
• Wollstonecraft: Believed in equal rights for men and women, including the right to education and participation in government. Believed people could be trusted to govern.
• Rousseau: Believed in government based on the will of the people. Supported democracy. Believed people could be trusted to govern.
• Aristotle: Believed in a government that serves the best interests of everyone. Believed people could be trusted to govern, but only under the right circumstances and need to be educated to make good decisions.
• Plato: Believed in a government led by wise rulers, and did not believe people could be trusted to govern.

Columbian Exchange/Triangle Trade/Middle Passage

• Triangle Trade: A system of trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
  • Europe received raw materials,
  • Africa lost millions due to slavery,
  • Americas received enslaved workers.
• Mercantilism: A belief that wealth and power come from controlling trade and accumulating gold/silver.
• Middle Passage: The brutal journey enslaved Africans took across the Atlantic to the Americas. A significant proportion died during the journey.
• Columbian Exchange: The exchange of plants, animals, people, and diseases between Europe, Africa, and the Americas after Columbus's arrival. This significantly changed the world.

American Revolution

• Stamp Act: A British tax on printed materials in the American colonies, leading to colonial anger.
• Taxation Without Representation: The idea of being taxed without having a voice in government decisions.
• Declaration of Independence: Written by Thomas Jefferson, based on the Enlightenment ideas.
• U.S. Constitution: The supreme law of the United States, establishing the framework and rights of American citizens.
• U.S. Bill of Rights: The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, protecting basic rights.

French Revolution

• Social Inequality: The French population was divided into estates.

• Financial Problems: France was in debt, especially from the American Revolution.

• Enlightenment Ideas: Ideas for political freedom influenced citizens' desires.

• First Estate: Clergy.

• Second Estate: Nobility.

• Third Estate: Common people.

• Meeting of the Estates-General: A French assembly of representatives from each estate, meeting to address financial problems.

• National Assembly: The Third Estate formed this assembly after being locked out of the Estates-General meeting.

• Tennis Court Oath: The National Assembly refused to disband until they had written a new constitution.

• Storming of the Bastille: A Parisian mob attacked the Bastille (a royal prison) to acquire weaponry and begin the French Revolution.

• Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen: A document emphasizing individual rights and freedom.

• Reign of Terror: A period of mass executions during the French Revolution.

• Committee of Public Safety: A committee during the Reign of Terror, aimed at defending France.

• King Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette: King and Queen of France executed during the Revolution.

• Robespierre: A prominent figure during the Revolution, leading the Reign of Terror, who was later executed.

• Napoleon: A prominent general who rose to power and became emperor.

Agricultural/Industrial Revolution

• Industrial Revolution: A period of major technological advancements that changed economies and societal patterns. Manufacturing became mechanized.
• Agricultural Revolution: A period of changes to farming methods, that increased food production and decreased necessary laborers.
• Textile Industry: The manufacturing of fabrics, which became mechanized during the Industrial Revolution.
• Steam Engine: A crucial invention that utilized steam power to drive machines, allowing greater productivity.
• Urbanization: The shift of populations from rural areas to cities, largely driven by industrial jobs.

Imperialism

• Imperialism: Extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.
• Social Darwinism: The belief that some races were more developed than others used to justify colonization and domination.

World War I

• Total War: A war that involves all resources and citizens in the conflict.
• Rationing: Controlling distribution of resources for wartime needs.
• Propaganda: Use of information to influence the public for political purposes.
• Dehumanization: Depriving of human qualities in the enemy.
• Armistice: A cease fire agreement.
• Fourteen Points: Points proposed for peace following WWI by President Wilson.
• League of Nations: An international organization aimed at preventing future wars.
• Treaty of Versailles: Peace treaty that ended WWI and imposed heavy penalties on Germany.
• Lost Generation: A generation emotionally affected by the war.

Test your knowledge on key concepts related to government systems and geography with this engaging quiz. Explore the roles of latitude lines, the Prime Meridian, and the fundamental principles of monarchy and democracy. Challenge yourself with questions about historical governance and the beliefs of influential leaders.