The World at Your Fingertips Chapter 1, Section 1

Peoples of the World Getting along can be difficult because people don’t always understand each other. Advances in communication and transportation help bring people closer together. Knowledge of other societies is key.

Learning About the World Social studies helps us learn about the world. Social studies draws on knowledge of the following five fields of learning: Geography History Economics Government Culture

History History is a record of the past. The past includes people and events that shaped the world as it is today. Historians use newspapers, letters, journals, and other documents.

Geography Geography is the study of people, places, and the environment. Deals with the world in spatial terms. Focuses on five themes: Location Region Place Movement Human-environment interaction

Five Themes of Geography

Government Is the people and groups within a society that have the authority to make laws, carry them out, and settle disagreements.

Limited and Unlimited Governments Everyone must obey the laws. Laws tell the government what it cannot do. Democracy—People make the laws directly. Republic—People make laws through elected representatives. Unlimited Rulers can do whatever they want. Totalitarianism is a form of government. People have no say.

Citizens Are legal members of a society. Have the right to vote and are required to pay taxes. Receive citizenship by being born in a country. Can also be naturalized.

Economics Study of how people manage their resources by producing, exchanging, and using goods and services. Is about choice.

Scarcity Resources are limited. Wants are unlimited.

Resources Types: Natural—Gifts of nature, such as forests, fertile land, fish, trees, water, soil, etc. Human—Skills people have to produce goods and services. Capital—Things people make, such as machines and equipment, that are used to produce goods and services.

Types of Economies Command Economy—The government decides what will be produced. Market Economy— Individual businesses decide what will be produced based on what they think consumers want.

Levels of Economic Development High Level of Development Good educational system Good health care system High salaries Clean water, electricity, and good transportation system Advanced technology Businesses flourish Low Level of Development Few jobs Poor services Low literacy rates Low life expectancy

Culture Culture consists of beliefs, customs, laws, art, and ways of living that a group of people share. Examples include religion, music, dance, literature, art, food, and clothing. Cultural traits include food, clothing, technology, beliefs, language, and tools that the people of a culture share.

Olaudah Equiano--Autobiography

Questions?