Social Studies Study Guide PDF

Topic 1 Lesson 1: Geography of the United States Key Points: Settlement Patterns and Migration: People settle where resources like water and jobs are available. Migration is the movement of people for better opportunities or safety. Regions of the United States: Divided...

Topic 1 Lesson 1: Geography of the United States Key Points: Settlement Patterns and Migration: People settle where resources like water and jobs are available. Migration is the movement of people for better opportunities or safety. Regions of the United States: Divided into areas like the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West. Terms to Define: 1. Temperate: Moderate weather, not too hot or cold. 2. Migration: Movement of people from one place to another. 3. Metropolitan Areas: Big cities and the nearby towns. 4. Climate: Average weather over a long time. 5. First Nations: Indigenous people in Canada. 6. Northwest Passage: Sea route through the Arctic Ocean. 7. Province: A region in Canada, similar to a state. 8. Monarchy: Government ruled by a king or queen. 9. Sinkhole: A hole in the ground caused by collapsed earth. 10. Irrigate: Watering crops using artificial systems. 11. Mexican Plateau: High, flat land in central Mexico. 12. Sonoran Desert: A desert in Mexico and the southwestern US. 13. Civic Participation: Being involved in government and community decisions. Map Locations: Mississippi River: Flows from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Great Plains: Flat, grassy lands in the central US. Appalachian Mountains: Stretch across the eastern US. Rocky Mountains: Range in the western US. Coastal Plains: Flatlands along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Regions of the US: Pacific,Rocky Mountains,Southwest,Midwest,Southeast,Northeast Oceans in North America: Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic. Concepts to Know: 13 Colonies: Established by England. US Independence: Declared on July 4, 1776. Constitution and Branches of Government: Three branches – Legislative, Executive, Judicial. Mexico’s Independence: From Spain in 1821. Aztecs: Ancient civilization in central Mexico. Skills: Be able to read maps to find features like rivers and mountain ranges. Topic 1 Lesson 4: Geography of Canada Key Points: Climates and Resources: Cold in the north, milder in the south; resources include forests, minerals, and freshwater. Economic Importance: Canada and Mexico trade heavily with the US, supporting jobs and businesses. Settlement Patterns: Most Canadians live near the US border due to the milder climate. Factors Affecting Settlement: Climate, resources, and transportation access. Topic 1 Lesson 7: Geography of Mexico Key Points: Geography includes deserts, plateaus, mountains, and coastlines. Study your Mexico packet for more details. Topic 1 Lesson 8: History of Mexico Key Points: Olmec: First known Mesoamerican civilization. Maya: Advanced in writing, math, and astronomy. Aztecs: Built a large empire in central Mexico before Spanish conquest. Topic 2 Lesson 1: Geography of Central America and the Caribbean Key Points: Physical Features: Mountains, volcanoes, tropical forests. Volcanoes and Earthquakes: Common because the region lies on tectonic plates. Topic 2 Lesson 2: History of Central America and the Caribbean Key Points:  Colonialism: European powers colonized the region for resources. Independence: Many countries gained freedom in the 1800s and 1900s. Terms to Define: 1. Isthmus: Narrow land connecting two larger areas. 2. Biodiversity: Variety of life in a place. 3. Tourism: Travel for leisure. 4. Deforestation: Cutting down forests. 5. Erosion: Soil or rock wearing away. 6. Mestizos: People of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry. 7. Panama Canal: Waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 8. Volcán de Fuego: Active volcano in Guatemala. 9. Free Trade: Trading goods without extra taxes or restrictions. Concepts to Understand: Tourism Positives: Jobs, economic growth. Tourism Negatives: Environmental damage, over-reliance on one industry. Deforestation Impact: Loss of wildlife, changes to the climate. Other Information:States with regions Pacific Region 1. California 2. Oregon 3. Washington 4. Alaska 5. Hawaii Rocky Mountain Region 1. Colorado 2. Idaho 3. Montana 4. Nevada (partially considered) 5. Utah 6. Wyoming Midwest Region  1. Illinois 2. Indiana 3. Iowa 4. Kansas 5. Michigan 6. Minnesota 7. Missouri 8. Nebraska 9. North Dakota 10. Ohio 11. South Dakota 12. Wisconsin Southwest Region 1. Arizona 2. New Mexico 3. Oklahoma 4. Texas Southeast Region 1. Alabama 2. Arkansas 3. Florida 4. Georgia 5. Kentucky 6. Louisiana 7. Mississippi 8. North Carolina 9. South Carolina 10. Tennessee 11. Virginia 12. West Virginia Northeast Region 1. Connecticut 2. Delaware 3. Maine 4. Maryland 5. Massachusetts 6. New Hampshire 7. New Jersey 8. New York 9. Pennsylvania 10. Rhode Island 11. Vermont