Download 8 Themes of World History ppt - Ms. Neil`s Social Studies Class

World History Themes
Students will gain an understanding of the big
driving themes of World History studies, enabling
them to make greater, more relevant connections
to the content.
8 Themes of World History
Power and Authority
Religious and Ethical Systems
Revolution
Interaction with Environment
Economics
Cultural Interaction
Empire Building
Science and Technology
Power and Authority
History is often influenced by people and
institutions in power
Consider:
Who Holds the Power?
How did this person or group come to power?
What system of government provides order in
this society?
How does the group or person in power keep or
lose power?
Religious and Ethical Systems
Throughout history, humans have guided in large capacity
by their religious and ethical beliefs.
Consider:
 What beliefs are held by the majority of people in the
region?
 How do these major religious beliefs differ from one
another?
 How do the various religious groups interact with one
another?
How do religious groups react toward nonmembers?
Revolution
Often we see great change achieved through force, or
revolution. Revolution is the overthrow of governments,
institutions, and ideas.
Consider:
What long-term ideas or institutions are being
overthrown?
What caused people to make this radical change?
What are the results of the change?
Interaction with Environment
Humans have ALWAYS had to deal with their environment in
order to survive.
Consider:
 How do humans adjust to the climate and terrain where they
live?
 How have changes in the natural world forced people to
change?
 What positive and negative changes have people made to
their environment? Examples?
Economics
From the earliest of times, humans have been concerned
with how to use their scarce resources to satisfy their
needs.
Consider:
 What goods and services does a society produce?
 Who controls the wealth and resources of a society?
 How does a society obtain more goods and services?
Cultural Interaction
People around the world have shared many things, including, music,
food and ideas since ancient times.
Consider:
 How have cultures interacted? (trade, migration, or
conquest)?
 What items have passed from one culture to another?
 What political, economic, and religious ideas have
cultures shared?
 What positive and negative effects have resulted from
cultural interaction?
Empire Building
Human cultures have historically shown a desire to grow
more powerful- often by dominating other groups.
Consider:
 What motivates groups to conquer other lands and
people?
 How does one society gain control of others?
 How does dominating society control and rule its
subjects?
Science and Technology
 The development of science and technology has played
a key role in spurring human curiosity and problem
solving.
Consider:
 What tools and methods do people use to solve the
various problems they face?
 How do people gain knowledge about their world? How
do they use that knowledge?
 How do new discoveries and inventions change the way
people live?
Examples?