Virginia History and Social Science Standards of Learning -- Grade 8

World History to 1000 A.D.

8.1 The student will describe early physical and cultural development of mankind from the Paleolithic Era to the revolution of agriculture, with emphasis on

the impact of geography on hunter-gatherer societies;
• Prehistoric Times AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/2.asp
  
• Life along the Nile
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/3a.asp
  

characteristics of hunter-gatherer societies;
• Food, Clothing and Shelter
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/2b.asp
  
• A Page Right Out of History
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/2c.asp
  
• First Technologies: Fire and Tools
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/2d.asp
  

toolmaking and use of fire;
• Prehistoric Times AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/2.asp
  

technological and social advancements that gave rise to stable communities;
• Food, Clothing and Shelter
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/2b.asp
  
• A Page Right Out of History
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/2c.asp
  
• First Technologies: Fire and Tools
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/2d.asp
  

how archeological discoveries are changing our knowledge of early peoples.
• Prehistoric Times AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/2.asp
  
• How Do We Know?
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/1.asp
  

8.2 The student will compare selected ancient river civilizations, including Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and Shang China, and other ancient civilizations (such as the Hebrew and Phoenician kingdoms and the Persian Empire), in terms of

location in time and place;
• Ancient Egypt
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/3.asp
  
• Life along the Nile
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/3a.asp
  
• Dynasties
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/3c.asp
  
• Life in Sumer
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4a.asp
  
• Babylonia
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4b.asp
  
• Hammurabi's Code: An Eye for an Eye
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4c.asp
  
• Assyrians: Cavalry and Conquests
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4d.asp
  
• Persian Empire
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4e.asp
  
• Phoenicians: Sailing Away
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4f.asp
  
• South Asia: India and Beyond
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8.asp
  
• China
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9.asp
  
• The Middle Kingdom
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9a.asp
  

the development of social, political, and economic patterns;
• Ancient Egypt AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/3.asp
  
• Life in Sumer
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4a.asp
  
• Babylonia
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4b.asp
  
• Hammurabi's Code: An Eye for an Eye
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4c.asp
  
• Assyrians: Cavalry and Conquests
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4d.asp
  
• Persian Empire
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4e.asp
  
• Phoenicians: Sailing Away
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4f.asp
  
• South Asia: India and Beyond
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8.asp
  
• Early Civilization in the Indus Valley
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8a.asp
  
• The Caste System
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8b.asp
  
• China
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9.asp
  
• The Middle Kingdom
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9a.asp
  
• Shang Dynasty -- China's First Recorded History
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9b.asp
  

the development of religious traditions;
• Dynasties
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/3c.asp
  
• Mummies
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/3d.asp
  
• Pyramids
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/3e.asp
  
• Assyrians: Cavalry and Conquests
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4d.asp
  
• Phoenicians: Sailing Away
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4f.asp
  
• Early Civilization in the Indus Valley
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8a.asp
  
• China
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9.asp
  
• The Middle Kingdom
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9a.asp
  
• Shang Dynasty -- China's First Recorded History
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9b.asp
  

the development of language and writing.
• Ancient Egypt
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/3.asp
  
• Life in Sumer
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4a.asp
  
• Persian Empire
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4e.asp
  
• Phoenicians: Sailing Away
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4f.asp
  
• Early Civilization in the Indus Valley
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8a.asp
  
• China
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9.asp
  
• The Middle Kingdom
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9a.asp
  
• Shang Dynasty -- China's First Recorded History
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9b.asp
  

8.3 The student will describe, analyze, and evaluate the history of ancient Greece from about 2000 to 300 B.C., in terms of its impact on Western civilization, with emphasis on

the influence of geography on Greek economic, social, and political development;
• Ancient Greece
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5.asp
  
• Rise of City-States: Athens and Sparta
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5a.asp
  
• Greek Literature
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5d.asp
  
• Alexander the Great
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5g.asp
  

Greek mythology and religion;
• Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5c.asp
  
• Greek Literature
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5d.asp
  
• Art and Architecture
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5e.asp
  
• The Olympic Games
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5h.asp
  

the impact of Greek commerce and colonies on the Mediterranean region;
• Rise of City-States: Athens and Sparta
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5a.asp
  
• Alexander the Great
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5g.asp
  

the social structure, significance of citizenship, and development of democracy in the city-state of Athens;
• Rise of City-States: Athens and Sparta
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5a.asp
  
• Democracy Is Born
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5b.asp
  
• Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5c.asp
  
• Thinkers
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5f.asp
  

the significance of the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian Wars;
• Rise of City-States: Athens and Sparta
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5a.asp
  
• Alexander the Great
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5g.asp
  

life in Athens during the Golden Age of Pericles;
• Art and Architecture
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5e.asp
  

the contributions of Greek philosophers (including Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle), playwrights, poets, historians, sculptors, architects, scientists, and mathematicians;
• Greek Literature
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5d.asp
  
• Art and Architecture
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5e.asp
  
• Thinkers
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5f.asp
  

the conquest of Greece by Macedonia, and the spread of Hellenistic culture by Alexander the Great.
• Alexander the Great
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5g.asp
  

8.4 The student will describe, analyze, and evaluate the history of ancient Rome from about 700 B.C. to 500 A.D., in terms of its impact on Western civilization, with emphasis on

the influence of geography on Roman economic, social, and political development;
• Ancient Rome
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6.asp
  
• The Roman Republic
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6a.asp
  

Roman mythology and religion;
• Ancient Rome
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6.asp
  

the social structure, significance of citizenship, and the development of democratic features in the government of the Roman Republic;
• The Roman Republic
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6a.asp
  

Roman military domination of the Mediterranean basin and Western Europe and the spread of Roman culture in these areas;
• The Roman Republic
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6a.asp
  
• Julius Caesar
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6b.asp
  

the roles of Julius and Augustus Caesar and the impact of military conquests on the army, economy, and social structure of Rome;
• Julius Caesar
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6b.asp
  

the collapse of the Republic and the rise of imperial monarchs;
• Julius Caesar
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6b.asp
  
• The Pax Romana
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6c.asp
  

the economic, social, and political impact of the Pax Romana;
• The Pax Romana
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6c.asp
  
• Life of the People
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6d.asp
  
• Gladiators, Chariots, and the Roman Games
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6e.asp
  

the origin, traditions, customs, beliefs, and spread of Christianity;
• Hebrews and the Land of Milk and Honey
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4g.asp
  
• The Fall of the Roman Empire
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6f.asp
  

the origin, traditions, customs, beliefs, and spread of Judaism;
• Phoenicians: Sailing Away
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4f.asp
  

the development and significance of the Catholic Church in the late Roman Empire;
• The Fall of the Roman Empire
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6f.asp
  

contributions in art and architecture, technology and science, literature and history, language, religious institutions, and law;
• Ancient Rome
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6.asp
  
• The Roman Republic
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6a.asp
  
• The Pax Romana
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6c.asp
  
• Life of the People
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6d.asp
  
• Gladiators, Chariots, and the Roman Games
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6e.asp
  

the reasons for the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.
• The Fall of the Roman Empire
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6f.asp
  

8.5 The student will analyze the conflict between the Muslim world and Christendom from the 7th to the 11th century A.D., in terms of its impact on Western civilization, with emphasis on

the origin, traditions, customs, beliefs, and spread of Islam;
• Birth of Christianity
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4h.asp
  

theological differences between Islam and Christianity;
• Hebrews and the Land of Milk and Honey
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4g.asp
  
• Birth of Christianity
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4h.asp
  

cultural differences between Muslims and Christians;
• Hebrews and the Land of Milk and Honey
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4g.asp
  
• Birth of Christianity
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4h.asp
  

religious, political, and economic competition in the Mediterranean region;
• Phoenicians: Sailing Away
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4f.asp
  
• Hebrews and the Land of Milk and Honey
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4g.asp
  
• Birth of Christianity
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4h.asp
  
• The Fall of the Roman Empire
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6f.asp
  

historical turning points that affected the spread and influence of both religious cultures.
• Hebrews and the Land of Milk and Honey
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4g.asp
  
• Birth of Christianity
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4h.asp
  
• The Fall of the Roman Empire
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6f.asp
  

8.6 The student will describe, analyze, and evaluate the history of the Byzantine Empire and Russia from about 300 to 1000 A.D., in terms of its impact on Western civilization, with emphasis on

the establishment of Constantinople as the capital of the Roman Empire;
• The Fall of the Roman Empire
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6f.asp
  

the expansion of the Byzantine Empire and economy;

codification of Roman law and preservation of Greek and Roman traditions;

• Ancient Rome
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6.asp
  

conflicts that led to a split between the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches;
• The Fall of the Roman Empire
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6f.asp
  

Byzantine art and architecture;

Byzantine influence on Russia and Eastern Europe.

8.7 The student will describe, analyze, and evaluate the history of Europe during the Middle Ages from about 500 to 1000 A.D., in terms of its impact on Western civilization, with emphasis on

the structure of feudal society and its economic, social, and political effects;

the Age of Charlemagne and the revival of the idea of the Roman Empire;

the invasions and settlements of the Magyars and the Vikings, including Angles and Saxons in Britain;

the spread and influence of Christianity throughout Europe.

8.8 The student will describe and compare selected civilizations in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, in terms of chronology, location, geography, social structures, form of government, economy, religion, and contribution to later civilizations, including

India, with emphasis on the caste system; the traditions, customs, beliefs, and significance of Hinduism; the conquest by Moslem Turks;
• The Caste System
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8b.asp
  
• The Rise of Hinduism
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8c.asp
  

China, with emphasis on the T'ang dynasty; the traditions, customs, beliefs, and significance of Buddhism; the impact of Confucianism and Taoism; the construction of the Great Wall;
• The Birth and Spread of Buddhism
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8d.asp
  
• Han Dynasty -- Cultural Heights
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9c.asp
  
• Tang Dynasty -- The Golden Age
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9d.asp
  
• Taoism and Confucianism -- Ancient Philosophies
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9e.asp
  

Japan, with emphasis on the development and significance of Shinto and Buddhist religious traditions, and the influence of Chinese culture;
• Japan: An Island Nation AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/10.asp
  

the kingdoms of Kush in eastern Africa and Ghana in western Africa;
• Kingdom of Ghana
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/7a.asp
  

the Mayan and Aztec civilizations.
• Central and South American Empires AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/11.asp
  

8.9 The student will give examples of the practice of slavery from the earliest civilizations to 1000 A.D.

• Egyptian Social Structure
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/3b.asp
  
• Life in Sumer
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4a.asp
  
• Phoenicians: Sailing Away
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4f.asp
  
• Rise of City-States: Athens and Sparta
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5a.asp
  
• Democracy Is Born
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5b.asp
  
• Mali: A Cultural Center
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/7b.asp
  

8.10 The student will improve skills in historical research and geographical analysis by

identifying, analyzing, and interpreting primary sources and secondary sources to make generalizations about events and life in world history up to 1000 A.D.;
• How Do We Know? AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/1.asp
  
• Food, Clothing and Shelter
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/2b.asp
  
• A Page Right Out of History
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/2c.asp
  
• First Technologies: Fire and Tools
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/2d.asp
  
• Ancient Egypt
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/3.asp
  
• Mummies
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/3d.asp
  
• Pyramids
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/3e.asp
  
• Life in Sumer
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4a.asp
  
• Babylonia
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4b.asp
  
• Hammurabi's Code: An Eye for an Eye
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4c.asp
  
• Phoenicians: Sailing Away
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4f.asp
  
• Hebrews and the Land of Milk and Honey
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4g.asp
  
• Birth of Christianity
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4h.asp
  
• Rise of City-States: Athens and Sparta
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5a.asp
  
• Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5c.asp
  
• Greek Literature
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5d.asp
  
• Art and Architecture
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5e.asp
  
• Thinkers
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5f.asp
  
• Ancient Rome
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6.asp
  
• The Roman Republic
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6a.asp
  
• Gladiators, Chariots, and the Roman Games
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6e.asp
  
• Africa
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/7.asp
  
• Kingdom of Ghana
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/7a.asp
  
• Benin and Its Royal Court
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/7c.asp
  
• Great Zimbabwe
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/7d.asp
  
• Early Civilization in the Indus Valley
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8a.asp
  
• The Caste System
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8b.asp
  
• The Rise of Hinduism
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8c.asp
  
• The Gupta Period of India
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8e.asp
  
• China AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9.asp
  
• Early History and Culture
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/10b.asp
  
• Life During the Edo Period
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/10e.asp
  
• Central and South American Empires AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/11.asp
  

identifying, analyzing, and interpreting global population distribution in the Middle Ages;

identifying and comparing contemporary national political boundaries with the location of civilizations, empires, and kingdoms from 4000 B.C. to 1000 A.D.;

• Ancient Egypt
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/3.asp
  
• The Early Middle East AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4.asp
  
• Rise of City-States: Athens and Sparta
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5a.asp
  
• Alexander the Great
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/5g.asp
  
• Ancient Rome
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/6.asp
  
• Kingdom of Ghana
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/7a.asp
  
• Mali: A Cultural Center
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/7b.asp
  
• Benin and Its Royal Court
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/7c.asp
  
• South Asia: India and Beyond AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8.asp
  
• The Middle Kingdom
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9a.asp
  
• Shang Dynasty -- China's First Recorded History
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9b.asp
  
• Han Dynasty -- Cultural Heights
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9c.asp
  
• Tang Dynasty -- The Golden Age
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/9d.asp
  
• Japan: An Island Nation
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/10.asp
  
• Early History and Culture
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/10b.asp
  
• Life During the Edo Period
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/10e.asp
  
• Central and South American Empires
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/11.asp
  
• Blood of Kings: The World of the Maya
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/11a.asp
  
• The Inca Empire: Children of the Sun
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/11c.asp
  
• The Aztec World
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/11d.asp
  
• Clash of Cultures: Two Worlds Collide
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/11e.asp
  

identifying and comparing the distribution of major religious cultures in the contemporary world with the origin and spread of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism up to 1000 A.D.
• Phoenicians: Sailing Away
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4f.asp
  
• Hebrews and the Land of Milk and Honey
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4g.asp
  
• Birth of Christianity
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/4h.asp
  
• The Rise of Hinduism
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8c.asp
  
• The Birth and Spread of Buddhism
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/8d.asp
  
• Japanese Religion and Spirituality
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu81/10a.asp