Do Now: Have you ever felt discriminated? If so, how?

Key Terms:

Physical Map – shows landforms like mountains and deserts

Political Map – a map that is divided by countries or government types

Resource Map – a map that shows the resources of a place

Racism-the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race

Content Objective: SWBAT understand the different landforms present in the U.S.

Language Objective: draw and label map of the physical geography of the United States.

Friday, April 21, 2023Physical Geography of the

United States

Physical Geography of the United States

Quick Review

This is an example of ________________.

A. a physical map

B. a political map

C. a resource map

Landforms

At over 3.5 million square miles, the United States is the third-largest country in the world.

Glacial activity and tectonic plate movement created the many landforms of the United States.

The Pacific Ranges and the Rocky Mountains mark the western region, with some elevations over 14,000 feet.

Landforms

The flat landscape of the Great Plains lies in the center.

Going east, the geologically older, but shorter Appalachian Mountains extend to the Piedmont’s fertile plateau, then the Atlantic Coastal Plain hems the shore.

Water Systems

The many lakes, rivers, and tributaries helped encourage economic develop along their shores.

The Mississippi River in the east and the Colorado River and Rio Grande in the west form two major waterways.

Water Systems

The Continental Divide, a high ridge in the Rockies, determines the direction of river flow.

Formed when glacier basins filled with water, the Great Lakes are part of the St. Lawrence Seaway System, a series of waterways that connect to the Atlantic Ocean.

Climate, Biomes, and Resources

• The large size of the United States leads to many variations in climate and vegetation.

• The oceans moderate temperature in coastal regions, while the interior experiences more extreme conditions.

Climate, Biomes, and Resources

• Rich in natural resources such as water, timber, fish, minerals, and fossil fuels, the United States helped speed industrialization and become one of the most prosperous countries in the world.

Los Angeles, 1992

The Rodney King Riots

After a police chase in LA police felt the African-American driver was acting aggressively, so they

beat him severely as he lay face down on the street.

In the space of a few minutes they kicked him, shocked him twice with a Taser gun and

smashed his head with baton blows.

By the time Rodney King was handcuffed and in police custody, he had sustained kidney

damage and eleven skull fractures.

The following day the public was shocked and outraged by the brutality of the beating as the tape was broadcast all over the world.

Because of the publicity, prosecutors were forced to file charges against some of the officers involved.

Four white Los Angeles police officers were charged with assault with a deadly weapon and

using excessive force. All four defendants

were found not guilty by an all-white jury.

Hours later the city became very violent.... the anger fuelled an ever-

widening circle of destruction.

During the next three days anarchy developed over Los Angeles. A dawn to dusk curfew was imposed. Looting was widespread. Over one

thousand buildings were set on fire, including most of the Korean businesses. Dozens of people

were killed.

Thousands were injured and arrested before troops from the Army, Marines and California National Guard were able

to restore order.

King appeared on TV to stutter his now famous words:

King rarely discusses the incident or its aftermath, preferring to remain out of the

spotlight. His most recent attorney has described King as “...simply a very nice man

caught in a very unfortunate situation.”

Exit Ticket

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlrDYszC2l4

Have you ever been discriminated against?

If yes, by whom?

Why do you think you were discriminated against?

Have you ever discriminated against someone?

How does this compare to what is happening in Ferguson?