Geography
Which states are non-contiguous?
The non-contiguous states of the U.S. are:
These states are not connected to the contiguous United States (the 48 mainland states).
Who were the Paleo-Indians, and how did they survive?
Paleo-Indians were the first humans to inhabit North America, migrating from Asia via the Beringia Land Bridge around 15,000–20,000 years ago.
How They Survived:
What do the “Three G’s” represent in exploration?
The Three G’s drove European exploration:
Who founded the New York colony?
The colony of New York was originally founded by the Dutch in 1624 as New Netherland but was taken over by the English in 1664 and renamed after James, Duke of York.
What was the color of the British uniforms?
What was the color of the American uniforms?
The British Army uniforms were primarily red, earning them the nickname "Redcoats."
Americans didn't have an official uniform, so they primarily used brown.
What is the difference between relative location and absolute location?
Relative location describes a place's position in relation to other landmarks or locations.
Absolute location is the exact spot on Earth using latitude and longitude coordinates.
What is significant about the Clovis people and their tools?
What were the names of Columbus’ ships, and why did he set sail?
Columbus' ships were the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María. He set sail in 1492 to find a sea route to Asia, but instead, he reached the Americas, changing world history.
Who Was the Quaker Who Founded Pennsylvania, and Why Is He Remembered?
William Penn founded Pennsylvania (1681) as a Quaker colony promoting religious freedom, democracy, and fair treatment of Native Americans. His ideas helped shape American values and government.
Who wrote the declaration of Independence? Give me the date. (the date is when the United States was founded)
The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson and approved on July 4, 1776, officially declaring the American colonies free from Britain.
What is a U.S. territory, and how does it differ from a state?
A U.S. territory is a region under the jurisdiction of the United States that is not a state.
Differences Between a U.S. Territory and a State:
What was the Beringia Land Bridge, and why was it important in human migration?
The Beringia Land Bridge was a strip of land that connected Asia (Siberia) and North America (Alaska) during the last Ice Age, when sea levels were lower.
Importance in Human Migration:
Who was Leif Erikson, and why is he significant in exploration history?
Leif Erikson was a Norse explorer from Greenland, believed to have been the first European to reach North America around 1000 AD, nearly 500 years before Columbus.
Who founded Jamestown and in what colony?
Jamestown was founded in 1607 by the Virginia Company in the Colony of Virginia as England’s first permanent settlement in North America. Captain John Smith is credited as the founder alongside the Virginia Company.
Name of the shot in Lexington and Concord.
The "Shot Heard 'Round the World" refers to the first gunfire at Lexington and Concord, starting the American Revolution in 1775.
What do latitude and longitude measure, and why are they important in geography?
Latitude and longitude are coordinate systems used to determine exact locations on Earth.
Name the three sisters in agriculture.
The Three Sisters in agriculture are:
Why Are They Important?
What is Ferdinand Magellan famous for? What happened to him? (and in what place?)
Ferdinand Magellan is famous for leading the first expedition to sail worldwide, proving that the Earth is round and could be circumnavigated. He also discovered the Strait of Magellan but died in the Philippines before completing the journey.
Why were the 13 Colonies established, and what were the three colonial regions?
The 13 Colonies were founded for religious freedom, economic opportunities, and political independence. They were divided into three colonial regions—New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies, each with distinct economies, cultures, and governments.
Name of the people ready to fight at any moment during the American Revolution.
The Minutemen were colonists trained to be ready to fight at a moment's notice, and they were instrumental in the early days of the American Revolution.
Which two hemispheres is the U.S. located in?
The United States is located in the Northern Hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere.
What factors can lead to cultural change in a society?
The loss of big game animals and climate changes forced early Native peoples to farm, which led to permanent settlements, job specialization, and the formation of civilizations.
What were the accomplishments of Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco de Gama?
How was the climate in the New England colonies and what did the people do for a job?
Climate: Cold winters and mild summers, which helped limit the spread of diseases.
Economy: Focused on shipbuilding, fishing, whaling, and trade due to rocky soil and a short growing season.
Give me the first two laws that British passed to start collecting money from the colonies.
The Sugar Act (1764) and Stamp Act (1765) were the first two major British laws that taxed the colonies to raise money, leading to protests and growing tensions between Britain and the American colonists.
What is the main difference between GIS and GPS?
GIS is a system that captures, stores, analyzes, and presents geographical data to create detailed maps and spatial information.
GPS is a satellite-based navigation system that provides real-time location and positioning data.
In short, GIS is used for mapping and analysis, while GPS is used for determining precise locations.
Why are the Olmec considered the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica?
The Olmec laid the foundation for future Mesoamerican civilizations, influencing their art, religion, writing, and city-building, which is why they are called the "mother culture" of the region.
Why was the Silk Road important, and what caused its decline?
The Silk Road was vital for trade (silk, spices, gold, porcelain, tools), cultural exchange, and technological advancements. However, it declined due to new sea routes, political instability, disease, and high trade costs (Ottoman Empire), leading to the rise of maritime trade in the Age of Exploration.
How was the climate in the southern colonies and what did the people do for a job?
These colonies had warm climates and fertile soil, making them ideal for plantation agriculture, where they grew crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo.
Who was the American general under George Washington that later betrayed America?
Benedict Arnold was a trusted American general who later betrayed the Revolution by trying to surrender West Point to the British in 1780.
Name of the mountains covering the Northeast and southeast United States regions.
The Appalachian Mountains cover the Northeast and Southeast regions of the United States.
What were two major achievements of the Maya civilization?
The Maya writing system (hieroglyphics)
Calendar based on astronomy, influencing later civilizations and modern archaeology.
Mathematics: The Maya developed the concept of zero, which was rare in ancient times.
Architecture: Built pyramids, temples, and observatories, such as those at Chichén Itzá and Tikal.
What were the three points of the Triangle Trade, and what was traded?
This trade system enriched Europe, devastated African societies, and fueled plantation economies in the Americas.
How was the climate in the middle colonies and what did the people do for a job?
Not so hot nor cold.
Known as the "Breadbasket Colonies" because they produced wheat, barley, and rye.
What is the name of the last battle of the American Revolution?
The Battle of Yorktown (1781) was the last major battle of the American Revolution, leading to British surrender and American independence.
How many continents and oceans are there? Name them.
Continents: North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Antarctica
Oceans: Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Southern Ocean
What was the capital of the Aztec Empire, and what happened to it?
Tenochtitlán was the powerful capital of the Aztec Empire, but it was conquered and destroyed by the Spanish in 1521, leading to the creation of Mexico City.
What was the Columbian Exchange, and how did it affect the world?
The Columbian Exchange transformed the world by introducing new foods, animals, diseases, and cultures between the Old and New Worlds. While it boosted global trade and population growth, it also caused devastation to Indigenous peoples and expanded slavery.
Name all New England Colonies
What happened when British troops arrived to Boston to reinforce British control over the colonies?
How did the sons of liberty protested the tax on tea? What happened and what did they do?
The colonists started throwing snowballs, seashells, then rocks to the British soldiers, who then opened fire and killed 5 people. This event is called the Boston Massacre.
The sons of liberty dressed as Mohawks and boarded 3 ships with tea cargo. They dropped the tea into the ocean as protest.
Name the major regions of the United States.
Who was Moctezuma II, and what happened to him during the Spanish conquest?
Moctezuma II was the Aztec emperor when the Spanish arrived. He was captured by Hernán Cortés, and during an Aztec revolt in 1520, he was killed. His death marked the beginning of the fall of the Aztec Empire.
Name four advancements in navigation that helped European explorers.
Name all middle colonies.
The Middle Colonies were:
Why was the battle of Saratoga so important in changing the outcome of the war?
The Battle of Saratoga (1777) was crucial because it led to the French alliance, boosting American morale and providing military support. It also marked a major turning point in the war by disrupting British strategies and encouraging other nations to support the American cause.
Name the five Great Lakes.
What was the Inca road system, and why was it important?
The Inca road system was a technological marvel that helped the empire communicate, trade, move armies, and maintain control, making it one of the most advanced transportation networks in the ancient world. The Inca road system was an extensive network of over 25,000 miles of roads built across the Andes Mountains.
Who did Hernan Cortez and Francisco Pizarro conquer and how?
Name all Southern Colonies.
The Southern Colonies were:
In the first continental congress, what was the plan of action of the colonists?
In the First Continental Congress, the colonists' plan of action was to boycott British goods, send a petition to King George III, prepare militias for defense, and meet again if their concerns were not addressed. This marked the beginning of unified colonial resistance to British rule.