Social Studies - World History
Lesson Plans

WH Strand 4: GLOBAL INTERACTIONS

(Ca. 1400 C.E.-1750 C.E.)

During what is sometimes referred to as the early modern period, the balance of global power shifted toward Europe. Europeans gained increasing control of international trade routes. European exploration led to the inclusion of the formerly isolated Americas and Oceanic regions in global systems. Global connections brought drastic environmental and social changes. Maritime and land empires were formed not just by Europeans, but by Turkish, American, and Chinese states, creating enduring patterns of colonization. Societies that previously had little contact with civilization centers were no longer isolated. The world seemed to become smaller as global integration, diplomacy, and world trade became more complex. In response, new ways of understanding the world emerged.

Possible Guiding Questions to Consider:

• How and why do historians create terms such as "Columbian Exchange"?
• How did the Columbian Exchange and Renaissance change life on almost every continent?
• What impact did colonization have on the development of the concept of race and the growth of racism?
• What factors led to Europe's rise from a relative backwater region to a global power?
• Why did some societies continue to live as hunter-gatherers or Stone Age farmers when most societies around the world adopted metallurgy, intensive agriculture, complex trade networks, and intricate bureaucratic governments?

WH Standard 4.5:

Students will compile and corroborate primary sources as evidence to explain the impact of global exchange and colonization.

• Create a Podcast About Your NHD Project
  This lesson plan will help students learn how create a podcast about their topic for National History Day, incorporating music clips found on Soundzabound from Utah's Online School Library.Image by: Internet Archive Book Images. Modified by Opensource.com. CC BY-SA 4.0

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