Alabama

$Alabama flag$

Skills available for Alabama eighth-grade social studies standards

Standards are in black and IXL social studies skills are in dark green. Hold your mouse over the name of a skill to view a sample question. Click on the name of a skill to practice that skill.

Show alignments for:

Alabama Course of Study (adopted in 2024): Grade 8 Alabama Course of Study (adopted in 2024): Grade 8
Alabama Course of Study: Eighth Grade - World History to 1500 Alabama Course of Study: Eighth Grade - World History to 1500
Literacy in History/Social Studies Grades 6-8 Literacy in History/Social Studies Grades 6-8

Actions

Print standards

Effects of the Fall of Rome

1 Analyze the economic, political, and social consequences of the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.
- 1a Trace the spread of Christianity in Europe and the wider Mediterranean region and outline the organizational structure of the early Catholic Church, including the roles of the Bishop of Rome and Councils of Carthage.
- 1b Explain the rise of Germanic kingdoms, the migration of their peoples, and the effect on political boundaries in Europe.
2 Describe the Byzantine Empire, its institutions, and its legacy.
- 2a Identify factors leading to the separation of Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Christianity and explain how the Orthodox Church influenced society and culture in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
- 2b Evaluate the cultural contributions of the Byzantines to art, religion, and architecture.
  - The Byzantine Empire (8)
- 2c Analyze the influence of the Code of Justinian on modern legal codes.

Medieval Societies

3 Trace and analyze the spread of Islam through the Mediterranean region under the caliphs from 632 to 1258, including the consolidation of the Qur'an.
- 3a Outline the founding and development of Islam under Muhammad.
  - Origins of Islam (8)
- 3b Differentiate among the Islamic sects that developed after the death of Muhammad.
  - Early Islamic caliphates (8)
- 3c Analyze the influence of Islamic cultural, economic, and political systems in Africa, Arabia, and Europe.
4 Compare and contrast the cultural, economic, geographic, and political structures of the civilizations of medieval Asia, including China, India, Japan, and Korea.
- 4a Explain China's influence on other civilizations in Asia.
- 4b Describe how the Mongols influenced the cultural, economic, and social landscape of Asia.
  - The Mongol Empire (8)
- 4c Analyze the evolution of religion in Asia, including the growth of Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism.
  - Origins of Hinduism (8)
  - Origins of Buddhism (8)
- 4d Trace the development of the feudal structure of medieval Japan, including the establishment of the Shogunate by Minamoto no Yoritomo.
  - Medieval Japan (8)
5 Compare the African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, including cultures, economic systems, geography, religions, and slave trade.
- 5a Describe how physical geography shaped the growth of medieval African kingdoms and trade with neighboring regions.
- 5b Trace the spread of culture, language, and religion among African civilizations.
  - Origins and development of the Mali Empire (8)
- 5c Evaluate the economic and cultural contributions of key leaders and trade centers in African kingdoms, including Mansa Musa and the city of Timbuktu.
  - Origins and development of the Mali Empire (8)
6 Describe key aspects and figures of Indigenous societies during the Postclassic Period in Mesoamerica and the Andean region and the Mississippian Period in North America, including the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations.
- 6a Analyze how geographic and environmental factors led to the location and growth of Indigenous societies.
- 6b Describe technological and engineering achievements of Indigenous societies.
- 6c Explain how religious beliefs and practices shaped culture in Indigenous societies.
7 Outline the social, cultural, economic, and religious developments of early medieval Europe.
- 7a Compare and contrast the growth of medieval societies in different geographic regions of Europe.
- 7b Analyze the relationship of the Catholic Church to economic, political, and social systems and rulers in medieval Europe.
  - The Middle Ages after 1100 (8)
- 7c Explain the significant economic, political, and social aspects of European feudalism.
  - Feudal Europe (8)
- 7d Analyze the effects of political events in Europe during the Middle Ages, including the coronation of Charlemagne, the Norman Conquest, and the Hundred Years' War.
  - Feudal Europe (8)
  - The Middle Ages after 1100 (8)
- 7e Summarize the significance of the issuing of the Magna Carta in limiting royal power and establishing the rule of law.
  - The Middle Ages after 1100 (8)
8 Analyze the social, political, and economic changes leading up to the Renaissance and Reformation in later medieval Europe and surrounding regions.
- 8a Explain the political and cultural consequences of the Crusades, the Reconquista, the Spanish Inquisition, and the establishment of the Ottoman Empire.
  - The Crusades (8)
- 8b Trace the spread of the bubonic plague from Asia to Europe and describe the resulting changes that occurred in Europe, including the rise of the middle class.
  - The Middle Ages after 1100 (8)
- 8c Describe the role of women in society and politics in medieval Europe, citing the contributions of significant women of the time.

Renaissance and Reformation

9 Describe cultural and economic developments in Italy and Northern Europe during the Renaissance, including the influence of the Medici family.
- 9a Analyze humanism and the contributions of philosophers and artists during the Renaissance.
  - Renaissance origins (8-I.1)
  - Italian Renaissance: achievements in literature and art (8-I.2)
- 9b Summarize major scientific and technological advancements in the Renaissance, including the printing press, and evaluate their effects on society.
  - The Scientific Revolution (8-I.4)
10 Analyze the factors that contributed to the Reformation and explain how it affected the religious and political unity of Europe.
- 10a Summarize the policies and practices within the Roman Catholic Church that led to conflict with both religious reformers and secular authorities.
  - The Reformation (8-I.3)
- 10b Describe the political, religious, and social contributions of reformers in Europe, including Martin Luther and John Calvin.
  - The Reformation (8-I.3)
- 10c Summarize responses to the Reformation, including the Counter-Reformation, English Reformation, and religious conflicts, and cite the roles of central figures in these events.
  - The Reformation (8-I.3)

Age of Exploration and Colonization in the Americas

11 Explain the motivations for exploration by European nations.
- 11a Summarize how expanding knowledge of geographical features and the development of navigational technology contributed to global exploration by Europeans.
  - The Age of Exploration: origins (8-J.1)
- 11b Explain the economic, political, and religious factors that fostered exploration, including mercantilism.
  - The Age of Exploration: origins (8-J.1)
  - French and English expeditions: part I (8-J.4)
- 11c Analyze the consequences of initial contact between Europeans and Indigenous peoples in the Americas.
  - The Columbian Exchange (8-J.6)
- 11d Describe the Columbian Exchange and its contributions to cultural, demographic, economic, and environmental changes around the globe.
  - The Columbian Exchange (8-J.6)
12 Trace the cultural, economic, and political effects of European colonization on the populations of Africa, the Americas, and Europe.
- 12a Explain how the desire for cheap labor led to the enslavement and decline of the Indigenous populations in the Americas.
  - The Columbian Exchange (8-J.6)
13 Analyze the economic, political, and social effects of the transatlantic slave trade on African societies and American colonies.
- 13a Describe the conditions and treatment of enslaved Africans during the Middle Passage and in the Americas.
  - Southern Colonies: economy and slavery (8-K.10)
  - Slavery in the South (8-O.5)

Rise of Absolutism

14 Summarize the rise of absolutism and explain how absolute monarchy differed from governing practices in Europe before the seventeenth century.
- 14a Explain how the Thirty Years' War and the Peace of Westphalia led to the rise of absolutism.
- 14b Analyze the rise of absolutism in France under Louis XIV, including the divine right of kings.
- 14c Describe how the development of absolutism affected governments in Russia and Prussia under the reigns of Peter the Great, Frederick the Great, and Catherine the Great.
- 14d Summarize the influence of the Ottoman Empire on the political landscape of European monarchies.
15 Analyze the development of parliamentary and constitutional government in England.
- 15a Compare and contrast the political philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke.
  - The Enlightenment: influences on government (8-I.6)
- 15b Summarize how major provisions in the Petition of Right and the English Bill of Rights influenced early forms of constitutional government.
16 Describe the governing policies in East Asia during the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries, including those of China and Japan.
- 16a Trace the rise of militarism in Japan and explain how it led to the invasion of Korea.
- 16b Explain the effects of religion on Japanese society and politics.
- 16c Compare the policies of absolutism and social structures of the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan to European monarchies.
- 16d Describe how political changes in China led to the decline of imperial power from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty.

Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution

17 Analyze the influence of the Scientific Revolution on European religion and society, including the astronomical theories of Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei.
- 17a Explain the significance of the development of the scientific method and its implications for new discoveries and ideas.
  - The Scientific Revolution (8-I.4)
18 Summarize the main ideas of the Enlightenment and describe their emergence in European society.
- 18a Trace the origins of Enlightenment ideas to earlier eras and movements, including Classical Greece and Rome, Christianity, the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution.

Alabama

Show alignments for:

Actions

Effects of the Fall of Rome

1 Analyze the economic, political, and social consequences of the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.

1a Trace the spread of Christianity in Europe and the wider Mediterranean region and outline the organizational structure of the early Catholic Church, including the roles of the Bishop of Rome and Councils of Carthage.

1b Explain the rise of Germanic kingdoms, the migration of their peoples, and the effect on political boundaries in Europe.

2 Describe the Byzantine Empire, its institutions, and its legacy.

2a Identify factors leading to the separation of Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Christianity and explain how the Orthodox Church influenced society and culture in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

2b Evaluate the cultural contributions of the Byzantines to art, religion, and architecture.

2c Analyze the influence of the Code of Justinian on modern legal codes.

Medieval Societies

3 Trace and analyze the spread of Islam through the Mediterranean region under the caliphs from 632 to 1258, including the consolidation of the Qur'an.

3a Outline the founding and development of Islam under Muhammad.

3b Differentiate among the Islamic sects that developed after the death of Muhammad.

3c Analyze the influence of Islamic cultural, economic, and political systems in Africa, Arabia, and Europe.

4 Compare and contrast the cultural, economic, geographic, and political structures of the civilizations of medieval Asia, including China, India, Japan, and Korea.

4a Explain China's influence on other civilizations in Asia.

4b Describe how the Mongols influenced the cultural, economic, and social landscape of Asia.

4c Analyze the evolution of religion in Asia, including the growth of Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

4d Trace the development of the feudal structure of medieval Japan, including the establishment of the Shogunate by Minamoto no Yoritomo.

5 Compare the African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, including cultures, economic systems, geography, religions, and slave trade.

5a Describe how physical geography shaped the growth of medieval African kingdoms and trade with neighboring regions.

5b Trace the spread of culture, language, and religion among African civilizations.

5c Evaluate the economic and cultural contributions of key leaders and trade centers in African kingdoms, including Mansa Musa and the city of Timbuktu.

6 Describe key aspects and figures of Indigenous societies during the Postclassic Period in Mesoamerica and the Andean region and the Mississippian Period in North America, including the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations.

6a Analyze how geographic and environmental factors led to the location and growth of Indigenous societies.

6b Describe technological and engineering achievements of Indigenous societies.

6c Explain how religious beliefs and practices shaped culture in Indigenous societies.

7 Outline the social, cultural, economic, and religious developments of early medieval Europe.

7a Compare and contrast the growth of medieval societies in different geographic regions of Europe.

7b Analyze the relationship of the Catholic Church to economic, political, and social systems and rulers in medieval Europe.

7c Explain the significant economic, political, and social aspects of European feudalism.

7d Analyze the effects of political events in Europe during the Middle Ages, including the coronation of Charlemagne, the Norman Conquest, and the Hundred Years' War.

7e Summarize the significance of the issuing of the Magna Carta in limiting royal power and establishing the rule of law.

8 Analyze the social, political, and economic changes leading up to the Renaissance and Reformation in later medieval Europe and surrounding regions.

8a Explain the political and cultural consequences of the Crusades, the Reconquista, the Spanish Inquisition, and the establishment of the Ottoman Empire.

8b Trace the spread of the bubonic plague from Asia to Europe and describe the resulting changes that occurred in Europe, including the rise of the middle class.

8c Describe the role of women in society and politics in medieval Europe, citing the contributions of significant women of the time.

Renaissance and Reformation

9 Describe cultural and economic developments in Italy and Northern Europe during the Renaissance, including the influence of the Medici family.

9a Analyze humanism and the contributions of philosophers and artists during the Renaissance.

9b Summarize major scientific and technological advancements in the Renaissance, including the printing press, and evaluate their effects on society.

10 Analyze the factors that contributed to the Reformation and explain how it affected the religious and political unity of Europe.

10a Summarize the policies and practices within the Roman Catholic Church that led to conflict with both religious reformers and secular authorities.

10b Describe the political, religious, and social contributions of reformers in Europe, including Martin Luther and John Calvin.

10c Summarize responses to the Reformation, including the Counter-Reformation, English Reformation, and religious conflicts, and cite the roles of central figures in these events.

Age of Exploration and Colonization in the Americas

11 Explain the motivations for exploration by European nations.

11a Summarize how expanding knowledge of geographical features and the development of navigational technology contributed to global exploration by Europeans.

11b Explain the economic, political, and religious factors that fostered exploration, including mercantilism.

11c Analyze the consequences of initial contact between Europeans and Indigenous peoples in the Americas.

11d Describe the Columbian Exchange and its contributions to cultural, demographic, economic, and environmental changes around the globe.

12 Trace the cultural, economic, and political effects of European colonization on the populations of Africa, the Americas, and Europe.

12a Explain how the desire for cheap labor led to the enslavement and decline of the Indigenous populations in the Americas.

13 Analyze the economic, political, and social effects of the transatlantic slave trade on African societies and American colonies.

13a Describe the conditions and treatment of enslaved Africans during the Middle Passage and in the Americas.

Rise of Absolutism

14 Summarize the rise of absolutism and explain how absolute monarchy differed from governing practices in Europe before the seventeenth century.

14a Explain how the Thirty Years' War and the Peace of Westphalia led to the rise of absolutism.

14b Analyze the rise of absolutism in France under Louis XIV, including the divine right of kings.

14c Describe how the development of absolutism affected governments in Russia and Prussia under the reigns of Peter the Great, Frederick the Great, and Catherine the Great.

14d Summarize the influence of the Ottoman Empire on the political landscape of European monarchies.

15 Analyze the development of parliamentary and constitutional government in England.

15a Compare and contrast the political philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke.

15b Summarize how major provisions in the Petition of Right and the English Bill of Rights influenced early forms of constitutional government.

16 Describe the governing policies in East Asia during the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries, including those of China and Japan.

16a Trace the rise of militarism in Japan and explain how it led to the invasion of Korea.

16b Explain the effects of religion on Japanese society and politics.

16c Compare the policies of absolutism and social structures of the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan to European monarchies.

16d Describe how political changes in China led to the decline of imperial power from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty.

Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution

17 Analyze the influence of the Scientific Revolution on European religion and society, including the astronomical theories of Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei.

17a Explain the significance of the development of the scientific method and its implications for new discoveries and ideas.

18 Summarize the main ideas of the Enlightenment and describe their emergence in European society.

18a Trace the origins of Enlightenment ideas to earlier eras and movements, including Classical Greece and Rome, Christianity, the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution.