OHIO’S LEARNING STANDARDS | Social Studies | ADOPTED 2018

Grade 7 THEME: WORLD STUDIES FROM 750 B.C. TO 1600 A.D.: ANCIENT GREECE TO THE FIRST GLOBAL AGE

The seventh grade year is an integrated study of world history, beginning with ancient Greece and continuing through global exploration. All four social studies strands are used to illustrate how historic events are shaped by geographic, social, cultural, economic and political factors. Students develop their understanding of how ideas and events from the past have shaped the world today.

HISTORY STRAND HISTORICAL THINKING AND SKILLS EARLY CIVILIZATIONS

Content Statements:

1. Historians and archaeologists describe historical events and issues from the perspectives of people living at the time to avoid evaluating the past in terms of today’s norms and values. 

2. The civilizations that developed in Greece and Rome had an enduring impact on later civilizations. This legacy includes governance and law, engineering and technology, art and architecture, as well as literature and history. The Roman Empire also played an instrumental role in the spread of Christianity.

FEUDALISM AND TRANSITIONS FIRST GLOBAL AGE

Content Statements:

3. The Roman Empire collapsed due to various internal and external factors (political, social and economic) which led to the development of feudalism and the manorial system in the region. The fall of Rome and later invasions also allowed for the creation of new empires in the region.

4. The Mongols conquered much of Asia which led to unified states in China and Korea. Mongol failure to conquer Japan allowed a feudal system to persist.

5. Achievements in medicine, science, mathematics and geography by the Islamic civilization dominated most of the Mediterranean after the decline of the Roman Empire. These achievements were introduced into Western Europe as a result of the Muslim conquests, Crusades and trade, influencing the European Renaissance.

6. The decline of feudalism, the rise of nation-states and the Renaissance in Europe introduced revolutionary ideas, leading to cultural, scientific and social changes.

7. The Reformation introduced changes in religion including the emergence of Protestant faiths and a decline in the political power and social influence of the Roman Catholic Church. 

8. Empires in Africa and Asia grew as commercial and cultural centers along trade routes.

9. The advent of the trans-Saharan slave trade had profound effects on both West and Central Africa and the receiving societies.

10. European economic and cultural influence dramatically increased through explorations, conquests and colonization.

11. The Columbian exchange (i.e., the exchange of fauna, flora and pathogens) among previously unconnected parts of the world reshaped societies in ways still evident today. 

GEOGRAPHY STRAND SPATIAL THINKING AND SKILLS HUMAN SYSTEMS

Content Statements:

12. Maps and other geographic representations can be used to trace the development of human settlement over time.

13. Geographic factors promote or impede the movement of people, products and ideas.

14. Trade routes connecting Africa, Europe and Asia helped foster the spread of ideas, technology, goods and major world religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism) that impacted the Eastern Hemisphere.

15. Improvements in transportation, communication and technology have facilitated cultural diffusion among peoples around the world.

GOVERNMENT STRAND CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND SKILLS ROLES AND SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT

Content Statements:

16. Analyzing individual and group perspectives is essential to understanding historic and contemporary issues. Opportunities for civic engagement exist for students to connect real-world issues and events to classroom learning. 

17. Greek democracy and the Roman Republic were a radical departure from monarchy and theocracy, influencing the structure and function of modern democratic governments.

18. With the decline of feudalism, consolidation of power resulted in the emergence of nation-states.

ECONOMICS STRAND ECONOMIC DECISION MAKING AND SKILLS SCARCITY

Content Statements:

19. Individuals, governments and businesses must analyze costs and benefits when making economic decisions. A cost- benefit analysis consists of determining the potential costs and benefits of an action and then balancing the costs against the benefits. 

20. The variability in the distribution of productive resources in the various regions of the world contributed to specialization, trade and interdependence.

MARKETS

Content Statements:

21. The growth of cities and empires fostered the growth of markets. Market exchanges encouraged specialization and the transition from barter to monetary economies