first, let’s discuss the term – “balance of power”. what do you think that might mean? can...
TRANSCRIPT
First, let’s discuss the term – “Balance of Power”. What do you think that might mean? Can you think of some powerful countries?
United States
Great Britain
Japan
Russia
FranceChina
Germany
Eritrea
Liberia
Tuvalu Burundi
Sierra Leone
Congo
The country’s land area
Top six answers are on the board. Here is the question:
“If United States is the most powerful country in the world, what makes it, or any other country, powerful?
Population of the country
Education level of the
population
Physical features of the
country
Economic level of the country
Military power
Click to reveal the answers! Press this button to go to the next slide.
land area
Population
Education level
Economic level of the
country
Military power
FACTOR
Physical Features
United States China Russia Japan
High Numbers / High
Technology
High Numbers / High
Technology
High Numbers / High
Technology
Low Numbers / Defensive Only
Strongest Economy in the World
Strong Economy / Depend on
Exports
Strong Economy / Depend on Imports and
Exports
6th Strongest Economy / Many natural resources
143 Million305 Million 1.4 Billion 128 Million
Large Territory Population
Dense Only in Certain Areas
Large Territory Population
Dense Only in Certain Areas
Large Territory Low
Population Density
Small Territory, Very Dense Population
Large Territory environment
Varies by latitude and region
Large Territory environment
Varies by latitude and region
Large Territory environment
Varies by latitude and region
Small Territory / regions of high
elevation impact population
99% of Population considered
literate
99.5% of Population considered
literate
95.9% of Population considered
literate
99% of Population considered
literate
• Most of the world’s countries are members of an organization called the “United Nations”.
• This organization has many goals, but a major goal is to keep the peace between the countries of the world and maintain the civil rights of all of the world’s people.
• The headquarters of the UN is in New York City. Representatives from every country have personnel that work at the United Nations.
The UN functions almost like a world congress. However, pretty much every decision has to go through the group called the “UN Security Council”.
Patrick Gruban. Creative Commons 2.0, September 2008.
The UN Security Council has five permanent members that do not change: The United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom. The ten other members rotate over time.
Patrick Gruban. Creative Commons 2.0, September 2008.
Dawit Rezene. Creative Commons 1.0, Unknown.
Mikhail Evstafiev, Creative Commons 3.0, Unknown.
The United Nations sends soldiers to places around the world as
“peacekeepers” or to help with problems such as food shortages or natural
disasters. These troops come from the member countries. They can usually be recognized by wearing light blue hats,
blue armbands or driving white vehicles.
Watch as countries begin to join the United Nations over time. Think really hard about this question: Why did it start in 1945?
Joowwww, Creative Commons 3.0, August 2008.
• The United Nations’ overall goals are often difficult to attain. The member countries often ignore directives of the organization even for years.
• The peacekeeping troops have the power only to defend themselves most of the time, therefore, they can do little to stop major problems.
• Though the UN has a court system, it does not always apply. Some revolutionary or unofficial groups that may violate civil rights do not answer to the UN as they are not countries.
Today, many Americans believe that the United Nations is not a helpful organization. Some even believe the US should leave the United Nations. What do you think?