District 11 Educational Support Services
Social Studies

World History 1450 to Present: Post World War II

 

Overview

View the Video Introduction (5:18). After World War II, the two emerging superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, began an arms race resolved. The Cold War, the spread and eventual collapse of communism, the Trials at Nierenberg, unresolved boundary issues in the Middle East, and Apartheid in Africa would all take center stage as people across the globe continued the struggle for personal freedom and independence.

For Teachers
Quarter 1  2
Quarter 3  4
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Course Overview

Enduring Understandings - important ideas that students should carry with them years beyond the instruction received this year.

  • Chronology organizes history and increases understanding of historical relationships.
  • Economic, scientific and technological developments impact human interactions.
  • Power has been acquired, maintained, used and/or lost.
  • Religious and philosophical ideas have been powerful societal forces.
  • Maps, charts, and graphs are used to acquire, process and report information about people, places and environments.

Essential Questions - most important “big picture” questions students should be able to answer after completing learning activities.

  • How did the economic developments of the 1920's impact world societies?
  • What were the political, economic, military causes of WW II?
  • How do maps increase understanding of the events of WWII?
  • How can major events of WWII be organized chronologically?
  • How has power been acquired, maintained, used and or lost since World War II?
  • How have religious and philosophical ideas impacted societies since WWII?
     

Standards and Benchmarks
History
1:  Students understand the chronological organization of history and know how to organize events and people into major eras to identify and explain historical relationships.
Benchmark  C:  Students use chronology to examine and explain historical relationships.

History 2
:  Students know how to use the processes and resources of historical inquiry.
Benchmark C:  Students know how to interpret and evaluate primary and secondary sources o historical information.

History
  3:  Students understand that societies are diverse and change over time.
Benchmark A:  Students know how various societies were affected by contacts and exchanges among diverse peoples.
Benchmark B:  Students understand the history of social organization in various societies.

History 4
:  Students understand how science, technology, and economic activity have developed, changed, and affected societies throughout history.
Benchmark  B:  Students understand how economic factors influenced historical events.

History
5:  Students understand political institutions and theories that developed and changed over time.
Benchmark D:  Students know the history of relationships among different political powers and the development of international relations.

History
6:  Students know that religious and philosophical ideas have been powerful forces throughout history.
Benchmark B:  Students know how societies have been affected by religions and philosophies.

Sample Lessons

District 11 Diamond Units/Lessons Overview - includes information about the purpose, goals and structure of these sample instructional units:

Billy Joel's We Didn't Start the Fire is a synopsis of major events that have occurred during the past fifty years. The lyrics reference pop culture, American and world politics and events. Watch the Video then explore each of the historic references in the song so you can answer the question, "What is the fire?"

Parent Resources

 

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