Social Studies Georgia Standards of Excellence

World History
The high school world history course provides students with a comprehensive, intensive study of
major events and themes in world history. Students begin with a study of the earliest civilizations
worldwide and continue to examine major developments and themes in all regions of the world.
The course culminates in a study of change and continuity and globalization at the beginning of
the 21st century.

SSWH1 Analyze the origins, structures, and interactions of societies in the ancient world
from 3500 BCE/BC to 500 BCE/BC.
a. Compare and contrast Mesopotamian and Egyptian societies, include: religion, culture,
economics, politics, and technology.
b. Describe the societies of India and China, include: religion, culture, economics, politics,
and technology.
c. Explain the development of monotheism, include: the concepts developed by the ancient
Hebrews.
d. Identify the Bantu migration patterns and contribution to settled agriculture.
e. Explain the rise of the Olmecs.

SSWH2 Identify the major achievements of Chinese and Indian societies to 500 CE/AD.
a. Describe the development of Indian civilization, include: the rise and fall of the Maurya
and Gupta Empires.
b. Describe the development of Chinese civilization under Zhou, Qin, and Han.
c. Explain the development and impact of Hinduism and Buddhism on India, and
Confucianism on China.
d. Explain how geography contributed to the movement of people and ideas, include: Silk
Roads and Indian Ocean Trade.

SSWH3 Examine the political, philosophical, and cultural interaction of Classical

Mediterranean societies from 700 BCE/BC to 400 CE/AD.
a. Compare the origins and structure of the Greek polis, the Roman Republic, and the Roman
Empire.
b. Identify the ideas and impact of important individuals, include: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle,
Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Augustus Caesar.
c. Analyze the impact of Greek and Roman culture, politics, and technology.
d. Describe polytheism in the Greek and Roman world.
e. Explain the origins and diffusion of Christianity in the Roman world.
f. Analyze the factors that led to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.

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SSWH4 Analyze impact of the Byzantine and Mongol empires.

a. Describe the relationship between the Roman and Byzantine Empires, include: the
importance of Justinian and Empress Theodora.
b. Analyze the impact Byzantium had on Kiev, Moscow, and the Russian Empire.
c. Explain the Great Schism (East-West Schism) of 1054 CE/AD.
d. Explain the decline of Byzantium and the impact of the fall of Constantinople in 1453
CE/AD.
e. Describe the impact of the Mongols on Russia, China, and the Middle East, include: the
role of Chinggis (Genghis) Khan in developing the Mongol Empire.

SSWH5 Examine the political, economic, and cultural interactions within the Medieval
Mediterranean World between 600 CE/AD and 1300 CE/AD.
a. Analyze the origins of Islam and the growth of the Islamic Empire.
b. Understand the reasons for the split between Sunni and Shia Muslims.
c. Assess the economic impact of Muslim trade routes to India, China, Europe and Africa.
d. Identify the contributions of Islamic scholars in science, math, and geography
e. Analyze the relationship between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

SSWH6 Describe the diverse characteristics of early African societies before 1500 CE/AD.
a. Describe the development and decline of the Sudanic kingdoms (Ghana, Mali, Songhai);
include the roles of Sundiata, and the pilgrimage of Mansa Musa to Mecca.
b. Describe the trading networks and distribution of resources by examining trans-Saharan
trade in gold, salt, and slaves; include the Swahili trading cities.
c. Understand the blending of traditional African beliefs with new ideas from Islam and
Christianity and their impact on early African societies.

SSWH7 Analyze European medieval society with regard to culture, politics, society, and
economics.
a. Explain the manorial system and feudal relationships, include: the status of peasants and
feudal monarchies and the importance of Charlemagne.
b. Explain the political impact of Christianity and the role of the church in medieval society.
c. Describe how increasing trade led to the growth of towns and cities, include: the impact of
the Bubonic Plague.
d. Describe the causes and impact of the Crusades on the Islamic World and Europe.

SSWH8 Describe the diverse characteristics of societies in Central and South America.
a. Explain the rise and fall of the Mayan, Aztec, and Inca Empires.
b. Compare and contrast the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan societies, include: religion, culture,
economics, politics, and technology.

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SSWH9 Analyze change and continuity in the Renaissance and Reformation.

a. Explain the social, economic, and political changes that contributed to the rise of Florence.
b. Identify artistic and scientific achievements of the Renaissance.
c. Explain the main characteristics of humanism.
d. Explain the importance of Gutenberg and the invention of the printing press.
e. Analyze the impact of the Protestant Reformation, include: the ideas of Martin Luther and
John Calvin.
f. Describe the English Reformation, include: the role of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
g. Describe the Counter Reformation at the Council of Trent and the role of the Jesuits.

SSWH10 Analyze the causes and effects of exploration and expansion into the Americas,
Africa, and Asia.
a. Explain the roles of explorers and conquistadors.
b. Analyze the global, economic, and cultural impact of the Columbian Exchange.
c. Explain the role of improved technology in exploration.
d. Examine the effects of the Transatlantic Slave Trade on Africa and on the colonies in the
Americas.

SSWH11 Examine political and social changes in Japan and in China from the fourteenth
century CE/AD to mid-nineteenth century CE/AD.
a. Describe the impact of the Tokugawa Shogunate policies on the social structure of Japan.
b. Describe the impact of the Qing and Ming Dynasty policies on the social structure of
China.

SSWH12 Describe the development and contributions of the Ottoman, Safavid, and
Mughal empires.
a. Describe the development and geographical extent of the Ottoman, Safavid, and the
Mughal Empires.
b. Describe the cultural contributions of the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires.

SSWH13 Examine the intellectual, political, social, and economic factors that changed the
world view of Europeans from the sixteenth century CE/AD to the late eighteenth century
CE/AD.
a. Explain the scientific contributions of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, and Newton and how
these ideas changed the European worldview.
b. Identify the major ideas of the Enlightenment from the writings of Locke, Voltaire, and
Rousseau, and their relationship to politics and society.

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SSWH14 Analyze the Age of Revolutions.

a. Examine absolutism through a comparison of the reigns of Louis XIV and Tsar Peter the
Great.
b. Identify the causes and results of the revolutions in England (1689), United States (1776),
France (1789), Haiti (1791), and Latin America (1808-1825).
c. Explain Napoleons rise to power, the role of geography in his defeat, and the
consequences of Frances defeat for Europe.

SSWH15 Describe the impact of industrialization and urbanization.

a. Analyze the process and impact of industrialization in Great Britain, Germany, and Japan.
b. Examine the political and economic ideas of Adam Smith and Karl Marx.
c. Examine the social impact of urbanization, include: women and children.

SSWH16 Analyze the rise of nationalism and worldwide imperialism.

a. Compare and contrast the rise of the nation state in Germany under Otto von Bismarck and
Japan during the Meiji Restoration.
b. Assess imperialism in Africa and Asia, include: the influence of geography and natural
resources.
c. Examine anti-imperial resistance, include: Opium Wars, Boxer Rebellion, and the Indian
Revolt of 1857.

SSWH17 Demonstrate an understanding of long-term causes of World War I and its global
impact.
a. Identify causes of the war, include: nationalism, entangling alliances, militarism, and
imperialism.
b. Describe conditions on the war front for soldiers, include: new technology and war tactics.
c. Explain the major decisions made in the Versailles Treaty, include: German reparations and
the mandate system that replaced Ottoman control.
d. Analyze the destabilization of Europe in the collapse of the great empires.

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 Social Studies Georgia Standards of Excellence

SSWH18 Examine the major political and economic factors that shaped world societies
between World War I and World War II.
a. Determine the causes and results of the Russian Revolution from the rise of the Bolsheviks
under Lenin to Stalins first Five Year Plan.
b. Describe the rise of fascism in Europe and Asia by comparing the policies of Benito
Mussolini in Italy, Adolf Hitler in Germany, and Hirohito in Japan.
c. Describe the nature of totalitarianism and the police state that existed in the Soviet Union,
Germany, and Italy and how they differ from authoritarian governments.
d. Explain the aggression and conflict leading to World War II in Europe and Asia; include
the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, the Spanish Civil War, the Rape of Nanjing in China, and
the German violation of the Treaty of Versailles.

SSWH19 Demonstrate an understanding of the global political, economic, and social

impact of World War II.
a. Describe the major conflicts and outcomes, include: North African, Pacific, and European
theatres.
b. Identify Nazi ideology and policies that led to the Holocaust and its consequences.
c. Analyze the impact of the military and diplomatic negotiations between the leaders of
Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States.
d. Explain Post-World War II policies and plans for economic recovery, include: the Marshall
Plan for Europe, MacArthurs plan for Japan, and the formation of the United Nations,
NATO, and the Warsaw Pact.

SSWH20 Demonstrate an understanding of the global social, economic, and political

impact of the Cold War and decolonization from 1945 to 1989.
a. Explain the arms race, include: development of nuclear weapons, and efforts to limit the
spread of nuclear weapons.
b. Describe the formation of the state of Israel and the Arab-Israeli Conflict.
c. Analyze the rise of nationalism and the revolutionary movements in Asia (i.e. India and
China) and Africa.
d. Analyze opposition movements to existing political systems, include: anti-apartheid,
Tiananmen Square, and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

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 Social Studies Georgia Standards of Excellence

SSWH21 Examine change and continuity in the world since the 1960s.
a. Identify ethnic conflicts and new nationalisms, include: Pan-Africanism, Pan-Arabism, and
the conflicts in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Rwanda.
b. Describe the reforms of Khrushchev and Gorbachev and the breakup of the Soviet Union in
1991 that produced independent countries.
c. Analyze terrorism as a form of warfare in the contemporary world.
d. Examine the rise of women as major world leaders, include: Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi,
and Margaret Thatcher.

SSWH22 Analyze globalization in the contemporary world.

a. Describe the cultural and intellectual integration of countries into the world economy
through the development of television, satellites, and computers.
b. Analyze global economic and political connections; include multinational corporations, the
United Nations, OPEC, and the World Trade Organization.
c. Explain how governments cooperate through treaties and organizations to minimize the
negative effects of human actions on the environment.

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 Social Studies Georgia Standards of Excellence

Map and Globe Skills

GOAL: The student will use maps to retrieve social studies information.
I: indicates when a skill is introduced in the standards and elements as part of the content
D: indicates grade levels where the teacher must develop that skill using the appropriate content
M: indicates grade level by which student should achieve mastery, the ability to use the skill in
all situations
A: indicates grade levels where students will continue to apply and improve mastered skills

Map and Globe Skills K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9-12

1. use a compass rose to identify cardinal
I M A A A A A A A A
directions
2. use intermediate directions I M A A A A A A A
3. use a letter/number grid system to determine
I M A A A A A A
location
4. compare and contrast the categories of
natural, cultural, and political features found I M A A A A A A
on maps
5. use graphic scales to determine distances on
I M A A A A
a map
6. use map key/legend to acquire information
from historical, physical, political, resource, I D M A A A A A
product, and economic maps
7. use a map to explain impact of geography on
I D D M A A A A A
historical and current events
8. draw conclusions and make generalizations
I M A A A A A
based on information from maps
9. use latitude and longitude to determine
I D D D M A A
location
10. compare maps of the same place at different
points in time and from different
I M A A A A
perspectives to determine changes, identify
trends, and generalize about human activities
11. compare maps with data sets (charts, tables,
graphs) and /or readings to draw conclusions I M A A A A
and make generalizations
12. use geographic technology and software to
determine changes, identify trends, and I
generalize about human activities

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 Social Studies Georgia Standards of Excellence

Information Processing Skills

GOAL: The student will be able to locate, analyze, and synthesize information related to social
studies topics and apply this information to solve problems/make decisions.
I: indicates when a skill is introduced in the standards and elements as part of the content
D: indicates grade levels where the teacher must develop that skill using the appropriate content
M: indicates grade level by which student should achieve mastery, the ability to use the skill in
all situations
A: indicates grade levels where students will continue to apply and improve mastered skills

Information Processing Skills K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9-12

1. compare similarities and differences I D M A A A A A A A

2. organize items chronologically I D D M A A A A A A

3. identify issues and/or problems and
I D D D D M A A A A
alternative solutions
4. distinguish between fact and opinion I D M A A A A A A
5. identify main idea, detail, sequence of
events, and cause and effect in a social I D D M A A A A A
studies context
6. identify and use primary and secondary
I D D M A A A A A
sources
7. interpret timelines, charts, and tables I D D M A A A A A
8. identify social studies reference resources to
I M A A A A A A
use for a specific purpose
9. construct charts and tables I M A A A A A A

10. analyze artifacts I D D M A A A A

11 draw conclusions and make generalizations I M A A A A A

12. analyze graphs and diagrams I D M A A A A

13. translate dates into centuries, eras, or ages I D M A A A A

14. formulate appropriate research questions I M A A A A

15. determine adequacy and/or relevancy of
I M A A A A
information
16. check for consistency of information I M A A A A
17. interpret political cartoons I D D D M A

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 Social Studies Georgia Standards of Excellence

Clarification for Literacy Standards in High School:

Grades 9-10 social studies courses incorporate the grades 9-10 Reading/Writing Standards for
Literacy in History/Social Studies.

Grades 11-12 social studies courses incorporate the grades 11-12 Reading/Writing Standards for
Literacy in History/Social Studies.

READING STANDARDS FOR LITERACY IN HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES (RHSS) GRADE 9-10

Key Ideas and Details

L9-10RHSS1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, attending to such
features as the date and origin of the information.
L9-10RHSS2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate
summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.
L9-10RHSS3: Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused later
ones or simply preceded them.
Craft and Structure
L9-10RHSS4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary describing
political, social, or economic aspects of history/social science.
L9-10RHSS5: Analyze how a text uses structure to emphasize key points or advance an explanation or analysis

L9-10RHSS6: Compare the point of view of two or more authors for how they treat the same or similar topics,
including which details they include and emphasize in their respective accounts.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
L9-10RHSS7: Integrate quantitative or technical analysis (e.g., charts, research data) with qualitative analysis in print
or digital text.
L9-10RHSS8: Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the authors claims.

L9-10RHSS9: Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and secondary sources.

Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity

L9-10RHSS10: By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 910 text
complexity band independently and proficiently.

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WRITING STANDARDS FOR LITERACY IN HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES, SCIENCE, AND

TECHNICAL SUBJECTS GRADES 9-10 (WHST)
Text Types and Purposes
L9-10WHST1: Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
a. Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that
establishes clear relationships among the claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
b. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying data and evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and
limitations of both claim(s) and counterclaims in a discipline-appropriate form and in a manner that anticipates the
audiences knowledge level and concerns.
c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships
between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.
d. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in
which they are writing.
e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from or supports the argument presented.
L9-10WHST2: Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/
experiments, or technical processes.
a. Introduce a topic and organize ideas, concepts, and information to make important connections and distinctions; include
formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or
other information and examples appropriate to the audiences knowledge of the topic.
c. Use varied transitions and sentence structures to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the
relationships among ideas and concepts.
d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to manage the complexity of the topic and convey a style
appropriate to the discipline and context as well as to the expertise of likely readers.
e. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in
which they are writing.
f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g.,
articulating implications or the significance of the topic).
L9-10WHST3: (See note; not applicable as a separate requirement)
Production and Distribution of Writing
L9-10WHST4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task,
purpose, and audience.
L9-10WHST5: Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach,
focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
L9-10WHST6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products,
taking advantage of technologys capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
L9-10WHST7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated
question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject,
demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
L9-10WHST8: Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches
effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text
selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
L9-10WHST9: Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Range of Writing
L9-10WHST10: Write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a
single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

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 Social Studies Georgia Standards of Excellence

READING STANDARDS FOR LITERACY IN HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES (RHSS) GRADE 11-12

Key Ideas and Details
L11-12RHSS1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting insights
gained from specific details to an understanding of the text as a whole.
L11-12RHSS2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary
that makes clear the relationships among the key details and ideas.
L11-12RHSS3: Evaluate various explanations for actions or events and determine which explanation best accords with
textual evidence, acknowledging where the text leaves matters uncertain.
Craft and Structure
L11-12RHSS4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including analyzing how an author
uses and refines the meaning of a key term over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).
L11-12RHSS5: Analyze in detail how a complex primary source is structured, including how key sentences, paragraphs, and
larger portions of the text contribute to the whole.
L11-12RHSS6: Evaluate authors differing points of view on the same historical event or issue by assessing the authors
claims, reasoning, and evidence.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
L11-12RHSS7: Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually,
quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a problem.
L11-12RHSS8: Evaluate an authors premises, claims, and evidence by corroborating or challenging them with other
information.
L11-12RHSS9: Integrate information from diverse sources, both primary and secondary, into a coherent understanding of an
idea or event, noting discrepancies among sources.
Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
L11-12RHSS10: By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 1112 text
complexity band independently and proficiently.

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 Social Studies Georgia Standards of Excellence

WRITING STANDARDS FOR LITERACY IN HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES, SCIENCE, AND

TECHNICAL SUBJECTS GRADES 11-12 (WHST)
Text Types and Purposes
L11-12WHST1: Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
a. Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from
alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences the claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and
evidence.
b. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant data and evidence for each while
pointing out the strengths and limitations of both claim(s) and counterclaims in a discipline-appropriate form that
anticipates the audiences knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases.
c. Use words, phrases, and clauses as well as varied syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify
the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.
d. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in
which they are writing.
e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from or supports the argument presented.
L11-12WHST2: Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/
experiments, or technical processes.
a. Introduce a topic and organize complex ideas, concepts, and information so that each new element builds on that which
precedes it to create a unified whole; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia
when useful to aiding comprehension.
b. Develop the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audiences knowledge of the topic.
c. Use varied transitions and sentence structures to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the
relationships among complex ideas and concepts.
d. Use precise language, domain-specific vocabulary and techniques such as metaphor, simile, and analogy to manage the
complexity of the topic; convey a knowledgeable stance in a style that responds to the discipline and context as well as to
the expertise of likely readers.
e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation provided (e.g.,
articulating implications or the significance of the topic).
L11-12WHST3: (See note; not applicable as a separate requirement)
Production and Distribution of Writing
L11-12WHST4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to
task, purpose, and audience.
L11-12WHST5: Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new
approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
L11-12WHST6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products
in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
L11-12WHST7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated
question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject,
demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
L11-12WHST8: Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches
effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the specific task, purpose, and audience; integrate
information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and
following a standard format for citation.
L11-12WHST9: Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Range of Writing
L11-12WHST10: Write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a
single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

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