World History & Civilization: High School

Ancient Cultures and Civilizations: c.8000 B.C./B.C.E. to c.600 B.C/B.C.E

Classical Civilization: c.1000 B.C. / B.C.E. to c.600 A.D. / C.E.

Major Civilizations and Cultural Interactions: c.600 A.D./C.E. to c.1300 A.D./C.E.

The Rise of Western Civilization and Global Interaction: 1300 to 1750 CE

Revolutions, Nationalism, and Imperial Power: 1500 to 1900 CE

An Era of Global Conflicts, Challenges, Controversies, and Changes: 1900 CE to the Present

 Historical Thinking

Describe and evaluate social, cultural, and economic changes of small agriculture communities which led to the development of large agricultural settlements such as the movement from hunting and gathering societies to civilization. (Economics, Geography)

Identify the key components that make up a civilization and the key differences between civilizations and other forms of social organization. (Geography, Sociology)

Review the key elements of the development of early river valley civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus River Valley, and Shang China. (Geography, Sociology)

Examine the development and characteristics of early empires such as Assyria, Persia, Israel, Minoan, and Zhou. (Geography, Sociology)

Review the development and key concepts of major world religions and philosophies including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. (Sociology)

Examine the development of Judaism and the civilization of Ancient Israel, including the origins of monotheism, the significance of the Exodus from Egypt, the Hebrew Bible and the Ten Commandments as the source of many moral and ethical traditions of Western civilization.

Examine the development of Greek civilization including differing political and social structures as well as conflicts such as the Persian and Peloponnesian wars. (Sociology, Economics, Government, Geography)

Describe the rise of Alexander the Great and the influence of Hellenism in Southwest and South Asia, North Africa, and parts of Europe.

Analyze the development of Roman Republican government and society. (History, Government, Sociology)

Trace the changes that culminated in the end of the Republic and the formation of the Roman Empire. 

Examine the origins, rise, and spread of Christianity including the life of Jesus, and Christianity’s impact on the Roman Empire. (Sociology)

Analyze the causes, conditions, and consequences of the decline and fall of the western part of the Roman Empire.

Examine the significant achievements of the Greeks and Romans and their impact on the modern world. (Individuals, Society and Culture)

Trace the development and major achievements of civilizations in India such as the Mauryan and Gupta empires. (Geography, Sociology)

Compare and contrast the influence of Hinduism and Buddhism on civilization in India and Buddhism’s spread throughout Asia. (Psychology, Sociology)

Compare and contrast the influence of Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism on East Asian civilizations. (Sociology)

Trace the developments and achievements of the Qin and Han Dynasties. (Government, Sociology)

Analyze the impact of trade networks such as the Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade network.

Explain the rise and achievements of the Byzantine Empire. 

Explain the division between the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity as a result of the Great Schism of 1054. 

Examine the origins, rise, and spread of Islam including the life of Muhammad, and Islam’s division into the Sunnis and Shiites.

Trace the spread of Islam and its impact throughout Southern Europe, Northern Africa and Asia.

Explain the role of Christianity as a unifying force in medieval Europe. 

Describe the rise and achievements of Charlemagne and the birth of the Holy Roman Empire.

Analyze the consequences of the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the development of feudalism and manorialism on Europe. 

Explain the cultural, political and religious causes of the Crusades and their consequences for Europe and Southwest Asia, including the growth in power of the monarchies in Europe. 

Describe the improvements in agriculture, the growth of towns, and the commercial revival during the Middle Ages. 

Examine the key achievements of civilizations in Africa prior to European contact.

Compare and contrast the developments and achievements of the Maya, Aztec and Inca civilizations. 

Explain and understand the achievements of the Tang and Song Dynasties.

Describe and explain the rise, expansion and decline of the Mongol Empire and its consequences for Eurasian peoples.

Examine the development of feudalism in Japan and its impact on Japanese society and government. 

Trace the origins and developments of the European Renaissance and its impact throughout Western Europe. 

Analyze the factors that led to the rise and spread of the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic CounterReformation, as well as reforming movements in other religions, including the wars of religion. 

Discuss the emergence of nationalism and nation-states as well as the increased impact of the citizen as a result of the decline of the European medieval period.

Explain the causes of the worldwide voyages of exploration. 

Explain consequences of the conquests and colonization as a result of the worldwide voyages of exploration including the transatlantic slave trade, Columbian Exchange, and the effects on native populations in the Americas. 

Examine the growth and development of the European economic system as a result of exploration and the growth of mercantilism.

Trace the development of the gunpowder empires such as the Ottoman, Mughal, and Ming empires and their reaction to Western interaction.

Trace the development and impact of absolute monarchies in Europe.

Describe the progression of events in England that led to constitutional monarchy such as the Magna Carta, the English Civil War, and the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

Explain the key developments of the Scientific Revolution and its impact on the world. 

Explain the key ideas of the Enlightenment in European history and describe its impact upon political and religious thought and culture in Europe and the Americas including the foundation of American government. 

Examine the key causes, events, and consequences of the French Revolution as well as the rise and fall of Napoleon.

Trace events, explain the causes, and analyze the outcomes for the Latin American independence movements of the nineteenth century. 

Explain the reasons for the rise of nation-states and the effects of nationalism in Europe, North America and Asia.

Explain the causes and conditions of the Industrial Revolution in England, Europe, and the United States. 

Examine the economic, social, and political changes caused by the Industrial Revolution and their impact on the development of political and economic theory.

Analyze the causes and consequences of European imperialism upon the indigenous peoples of Africa, Asia and Oceania.

Compare and contrast the responses of China and Japan to challenges by Western imperial powers. 

Trace and explain the long-term and immediate causes (including Nationalism, Imperialism, Militarism, and Alliances), major events and global consequences of World War I.

Explain the causes and consequences of the Russian Revolutions of 1917 and the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Examine the events and developments of the interwar period and their impact on the beginning of WWII including the impact of WWI on society, the Great Depression, and the rise of totalitarianism.

Identify the causes and key events of World War II and analyze the impact this war had on the global community.

Examine the causes, course, and effects of the Holocaust including accounts of camp inmates, survivors, liberators, and perpetrators; and, summarize world responses including the Nuremberg Trials.

Explain the causes and consequences of the Cold War and describe the role it played in ethnic or nationalistic conflicts in various parts of the world. 

Describe the paths to decolonization and independence from colonial rule in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Explain the origins of the modern State of Israel.

Trace the rise of communism in China including its foundations, the Cultural Revolution, and modern day developments.

Describe and analyze the global expansion of democracy and globalization in the late 20th century. 

Investigate current global issues such as terrorism, genocide, and environmental issues. 

Identify patterns of historical change and duration and construct a representation that illustrates continuity and change.

Locate and analyze primary sources and secondary sources related to an event or issue of the past.

Investigate and interpret multiple causation in analyzing historical actions and analyze cause-and-effect relationships.

Explain issues and problems of the past by analyzing various interests and viewpoints of the participants involved.

Use technology in the process of conducting historical research and to present products of historical research. 

Formulate and present a position or course of action on an issue by examining the underlying factors contributing to that issue and support that position.