Ohio Content Statements

These statements are the content that The State of Ohio tells us that we have to teach. Some of them are repeated throughout the year and others will be covered individually. We have listed each statement and then created a "student friendly" summary for you to understand the main idea of each.

Big Ideas for the Year

1. Historians and archaeologists describe historical events and issues from the perspectives of people living at the time to avoid evaluating the past in terms of today’s norms and values.

“Looking at things through their eyes, not yours.”

2. The civilizations that developed in Greece and Rome had an enduring impact on later civilizations. This legacy includes governance and law, engineering and technology, art and architecture, as well as literature and history. The Roman Empire also played an instrumental role in the spread of Christianity.

“Greece and Rome’s influences impacted every society that followed, including today.”

3. Germanic invasions helped to break up the Roman Empire and set the stage for the development of feudal and manorial systems. Later invasions helped establish Mongol dominance in central Asia and led to the destruction of the Byzantine Empire by the Turks.

“When leadership falls, people need protection from bullies.”

4. Mongol influence led to unified states in China and Korea, but the Mongol failure to conquer Japan allowed a feudal system to persist.

“Japan’s isolation allowed their culture to remain unchanged.”

5. Achievements in medicine, science, mathematics and geography by the Islamic civilization dominated most of the Mediterranean after the decline of the Roman Empire. These achievements were introduced into Western Europe as a result of the Muslim conquests, Crusades and trade, influencing the European Renaissance.

“Muslim achievements spread through conquests and crusades and changes the world.”

6. The Renaissance in Europe introduced revolutionary ideas, leading to cultural, scientific and social changes.

“The Renaissance changed life in every aspect.”

7. The Reformation introduced changes in religion including the emergence of Protestant faiths and a decline in the political power and social influence of the Roman Catholic Church.

“The Reformation changed Christianity forever”

8. Empires in Africa (Ghana, Mali and Songhay) and Asia (Byzantine, Ottoman, Mughal and China) grew as commercial and cultural centers along trade routes.

“Trade drives the African and Asian economies.”

9. The advent of the trans-Saharan slave trade had profound effects on both West and Central Africa and the receiving societies.

“The slave trade affected everyone involved”

10. European economic and cultural influence dramatically increased through explorations, conquests and colonization.

“Europeans (influenced) all those cultures they encountered.”

11. The Columbian Exchange (e.g., the exchange of fauna, flora and pathogens) between previously unconnected parts of the world reshaped societies in ways still evident today.

“The Columbian Exchange reshaped societies involved, both positively and negatively.”

12. Maps and other geographic representations can be used to trace the development of human settlement from past to present.

“Geography can be used to explain the where and the why of settlement.”

13. Geographic factors promote or impede the movement of people, products and ideas.

“Geography can help or hurt the movement of people, products, and ideas.”

14. Trade routes connecting Africa, Europe and Asia fostered the spread of technology and major world religions.

“Trade spreads technology and culture.”

15. Improvements in transportation, communication and technology have facilitated cultural diffusion among peoples around the world.

“Improvements have allowed different cultures to blend together.”

16. The ability to understand individual and group perspectives is essential to analyzing historic and contemporary issues.

“When considering a problem, look at all Points of View.”

17. Greek democracy and the Roman Republic were radical departures from monarchy and theocracy, influencing the structure and function of modern democratic governments.

“Democracy changes government forever by empowering people.”

18. With the decline of feudalism, consolidation of power resulted in the emergence of nation states.

“When feudalism declines, nation states emerge.”

19. Individuals, governments and businesses must analyze costs and benefits when making economic decisions. A cost-benefit analysis consists of determining the potential costs and benefits of an action and then balancing the costs against the benefits.

“Decision makers must decide if it’s worth it.”

20. The variability in the distribution of productive resources in the various regions of the world contributed to specialization, trade and interdependence.

“Economically, you use what is available to you.”

21. The growth of cities and empires fostered the growth of markets. Market exchanges encouraged specialization and the transition from barter to monetary economies.

“Cities and empires moved the economy from trading products to using money.”

22. Societies and Empires follow a pattern of ascent and decline due to common circumstances: Leadership, resources, attacks, disease and geography.

“Societies rise and fall for the same reasons.”