World History Standards

The student will improve skills in historical research and geographical analysis by: a) Identifying, analyzing, and interpreting primary and secondary sources to make generalizations about events and life in world history to 1500 A.D. (C.E.); b) Using maps, globes, artifacts, and pictures to analyze the physical and cultural landscapes of the world and interpret the past to 1500 A.D. (C.E.); c) Identifying major geographic features important to the study of world history to 1500 A.D. (C.E.); d) Identifying and comparing political boundaries with the locations of civilizations, empires, and kingdoms from 4000 B.C. (B.C.E.) to 1500 A.D. (C.E.); e) Analyzing trends in human migration and cultural interaction from prehistory to 1500 A.D. (C.E.); f) Analyzing the impact of economic forces (e.g., taxation, government spending, trade, resources, and monetary systems) on events to 1500 A.D. (C.E.).

WHI.2 – Early Development of Humankind (Paleolithic Era to Agricultural Revolution)

The student will demonstrate knowledge of early human development by: a) Explaining the impact of geographic environment on hunter-gatherer societies; b) Listing characteristics of hunter-gatherer societies, including their use of tools and fire; c) Describing technological and social advancements that gave rise to stable communities; d) Explaining how archaeological discoveries are changing present-day knowledge of early peoples.

WHI.3 – Ancient River Valley Civilizations

The student will demonstrate knowledge of ancient river valley civilizations (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus River Valley, China, Hebrews, Phoenicians, and Nubians) by: a) Locating these civilizations in time and place; b) Describing the development of social, political, and economic patterns, including slavery; c) Explaining the development of religious traditions; d) Describing the origins, beliefs, traditions, customs, and spread of Judaism; e) Explaining the development of language and writing.

WHI.4 – Civilizations of Persia, India, and China

The student will demonstrate knowledge of Persia, India, and China by: a) Describing Persia, including Zoroastrianism and the development of an imperial bureaucracy; b) Describing India, with emphasis on the Aryan migrations and the caste system; c) Describing the origins, beliefs, traditions, customs, and spread of Hinduism; d) Describing the origins, beliefs, traditions, customs, and spread of Buddhism; e) Describing China, with emphasis on the development of an empire and the construction of the Great Wall; f) Describing the impact of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.

WHI.5 – Ancient Greece and Its Impact on Western Civilization

The student will demonstrate knowledge of ancient Greece by: a) Assessing the influence of geography on Greek economic, social, and political development; b) Describing Greek mythology and religion; c) Identifying the social structure and role of slavery, explaining the significance of citizenship, and comparing Athens and Sparta; d) Evaluating the significance of the Persian and Peloponnesian wars; e) Characterizing life in Athens during the Golden Age of Pericles; f) Citing contributions in drama, poetry, history, sculpture, architecture, science, mathematics, and philosophy, with emphasis on Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle; g) Explaining the conquest of Greece by Macedonia and the spread of Hellenistic culture by Alexander the Great.

WHI.6 – Ancient Rome and Its Impact on Western Civilization

The student will demonstrate knowledge of ancient Rome by: a) Assessing the influence of geography on Roman economic, social, and political development; b) Describing Roman mythology and religion; c) Explaining the social structure, role of slavery, and the development of democratic features in the Roman Republic; d) Sequencing events leading to Roman military domination of the Mediterranean basin and Western Europe; e) Assessing the impact of military conquests on Rome; f) Assessing the roles of Julius and Augustus Caesar in the collapse of the Republic and rise of imperial monarchs; g) Explaining the economic, social, and political impact of the Pax Romana; h) Describing the origin, beliefs, traditions, customs, and spread of Christianity; i) Explaining the development and significance of the Church in the late Roman Empire; j) Listing contributions in art and architecture, technology, science, medicine, literature, language, religious institutions, and law; k) Citing reasons for the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire.

WHI.7 – The Byzantine Empire and Russia

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the Byzantine Empire and Russia by: a) Explaining the establishment of Constantinople as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire; b) Identifying Justinian’s contributions, including the codification of Roman law; c) Characterizing Byzantine art and architecture and the preservation of Greek and Roman traditions; d) Explaining the split between the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches; e) Assessing the impact of Byzantine influence on Russia and Eastern Europe.

WHI.8 – Islamic Civilization

The student will demonstrate knowledge of Islamic civilization by: a) Describing the origin, beliefs, traditions, customs, and spread of Islam; b) Assessing the influence of geography on Islamic development; c) Identifying historical turning points, with emphasis on the Sunni-Shi’a division and the Battle of Tours; d) Citing cultural and scientific contributions of Islamic civilization.

WHI.9 – Western Europe during the Middle Ages

The student will demonstrate knowledge of Western Europe during the Middle Ages by: a) Sequencing events related to the spread of Christianity and the Catholic Church; b) Explaining the structure of feudal society and its effects; c) Explaining the rise of Frankish kings, Charlemagne, and the revival of the Roman Empire idea; d) Sequencing events related to invasions, settlements, and the influence of migratory groups (Angles, Saxons, Magyars, Vikings).

WHI.10 – Civilizations and Empires of the Eastern Hemisphere

The student will demonstrate knowledge of Eastern Hemisphere civilizations by: a) Locating major trade routes; b) Identifying technological advances and cultural interactions; c) Describing Japan, emphasizing Shinto and Buddhist traditions and Chinese influence; d) Describing African kingdoms (Axum, Zimbabwe) and West African civilizations (Ghana, Mali, Songhai).

WHI.11 – Civilizations of the Western Hemisphere

The student will demonstrate knowledge of major Western Hemisphere civilizations by: a) Describing geographic relationships and patterns of development in the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan civilizations; b) Describing their cultural, political, and economic structures.

WHI.12 – Social, Economic, and Political Changes in the Late Medieval Period

The student will demonstrate knowledge of late medieval changes by: a) Describing the emergence of nation-states (England, France, Spain, Russia); b) Explaining conflicts like the Crusades, Mongol conquests, and fall of Constantinople; c) Identifying crisis patterns and the recovery from the Black Death; d) Explaining the transfer of Greek, Roman, and Arabic knowledge to Western Europe.

WHI.13 – The Renaissance in Europe

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the Renaissance in Europe by: a) Identifying the economic foundations of the Italian Renaissance; b) Sequencing events related to the rise of Italian city-states and Machiavelli’s political theory; c) Citing artistic, literary, and philosophical creativity of the Renaissance; d) Comparing the Italian and Northern Renaissance, including contributions from writers.