Social Studies - World History
Lesson Plans

WH Strand 3: AN AGE OF EXPANDING CONNECTIONS

(Ca. 500 C.E.-1450 C.E.)

The collapse of classical civilizations ushered in an era of unprecedented connection, sometimes referred to as the post-classical period. The fall of some civilizations opened opportunities for the growth of others, most notably the Islamic world. This era brought increasing oceanic and land trade in trans-regional networks. Civilization spread from its traditional centers as powerful states emerged in Japan, the Asian steppes, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, and other locations. In spite of their relative isolations, civilizations flourished in the Americas. Mongol conquerors linked many centers of civilization in unprecedented ways.

Possible Guiding Questions to Consider:

• How did the development of civilizations in the Americas compare with the development of civilizations in other locations?
• How were civilizations in the Americas able to become advanced in spite of their relative isolation from other civilizations?
• How did geographic features such as the monsoon winds on the Indian Ocean, the Sahara Desert, and the Strait of Malacca promote or inhibit trade?
• How did merchant activity and the practice of pilgrimage enrich the Islamic world's knowledge of geography?
• Why do many modern historians place greater historical significance on the Mongol Empire than they do on classical Greece or Rome?
• Why do historians now question the notion of the "Dark Ages" in Europe?

WH Standard 3.2:

Students will evaluate historians' interpretations regarding the patterns in the development of civilizations in the Americas compared to other places in the world.

• 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

---

http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Robert  Austin and see the Social Studies website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.