Georgia 8th Grade Social Studies Standards

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SS8H Historical Understandings

• SS8H1 Evaluate the impact of European exploration and settlement on American Indians in Georgia.
  • SS8H1.a Describe the characteristics of American Indians living in Georgia at the time of European contact; to include culture, food, weapons/tools, and shelter.
  • SS8H1.b Explain reasons for European exploration and settlement of North America, with emphasis on the interests of the Spanish and British in the Southeastern area.
  • SS8H1.c Evaluate the impact of Spanish contact on American Indians, including the explorations of Hernando DeSoto and the establishment of Spanish missions along the barrier islands.
• SS8H2 Analyze the colonial period of Georgia’s history.
  • SS8H2.a Explain the importance of the Charter of 1732, including the reasons for settlement (philanthropy, economics, and defense).
  • SS8H2.b Analyze the relationship between James Oglethorpe, Tomochichi, and Mary Musgrove in establishing the city of Savannah at Yamacraw Bluff.
  • SS8H2.c Evaluate the role of diverse groups (Jews, Salzburgers, Highland Scots, and Malcontents) in settling Georgia during the Trustee Period.
  • SS8H2.d Explain the transition of Georgia into a royal colony with regard to land ownership, slavery, alcohol, and government.
  • SS8H2.e Give examples of the kinds of goods and services produced and traded in colonial Georgia.
• SS8H3 Analyze the role of Georgia in the American Revolutionary Era.
  • SS8H3.a Explain the causes of the American Revolution as they impacted Georgia; include the French and Indian War, Proclamation of 1763, and the Stamp Act.
  • SS8H3.b Interpret the three parts of the Declaration of Independence (preamble, grievances, and declaration) and identify the three Georgia signers of the document.
  • SS8H3.c Analyze the significance of the Loyalists and Patriots as a part of Georgia’s role in the Revolutionary War; include the Battle of Kettle Creek and Siege of Savannah.
  • SS8H3.d Analyze the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and explain how those weaknesses led to the writing of a new federal Constitution.
• SS8H4 Explain significant factors that affected westward expansion in Georgia between 1789 and 1840.
  • SS8H4.a Explain reasons for the establishment of the University of Georgia, and for the westward movement of Georgia’s capitals.
  • SS8H4.b Evaluate the impact of land policies pursued by Georgia; include the headright system, land lotteries, and the Yazoo Land Fraud.
  • SS8H4.c Explain how technological developments, including the cotton gin and railroads, had an impact on Georgia’s growth.
  • SS8H4.d Describe the role of William McIntosh in the removal of the Creek from Georgia.
  • SS8H4.e Analyze how key people (John Ross, John Marshall, and Andrew Jackson) and events (Dahlonega Gold Rush and Worcester v. Georgia) led to the removal of the Cherokees from Georgia known as the Trail of Tears.
• SS8H5 Analyze the impact of the Civil War on Georgia.
  • SS8H5.a Explain the importance of key issues and events that led to the Civil War; include slavery, states’ rights, nullification, Compromise of 1850 and the Georgia Platform, the Dred Scott case, Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860, and the debate over secession in Georgia.
  • SS8H5.b Explain Georgia’s role in the Civil War; include the Union blockade of Georgia’s coast, the Emancipation Proclamation, Chickamauga, Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign, Sherman’s March to the Sea, and Andersonville.
• SS8H6 Analyze the impact of Reconstruction on Georgia.
  • SS8H6.a Explain the roles of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments in Reconstruction.
  • SS8H6.b Explain the key features of the Lincoln, the Johnson, and the Congressional Reconstruction plans.
  • SS8H6.c Compare and contrast the goals and outcomes of the Freedmen’s Bureau and the Ku Klux Klan.
  • SS8H6.d Examine reasons for and effects of the removal of African American or Black legislators from the Georgia General Assembly during Reconstruction.
  • SS8H6.e Give examples of goods and services produced during the Reconstruction Era, including the use of sharecropping and tenant farming.
• SS8H7 Evaluate key political, social, and economic changes that occurred in Georgia during the New South Era.
  • SS8H7.a Identify the ways individuals, groups, and events attempted to shape the New South; include the Bourbon Triumvirate, Henry Grady, International Cotton Expositions, and Tom Watson and the Populists.
  • SS8H7.b Analyze how rights were denied to African Americans or Blacks through Jim Crow laws, Plessy v. Ferguson, disenfranchisement, and racial violence, including the 1906 Atlanta Riot.
  • SS8H7.c Explain the roles of Booker T. Washington, W. E. B. DuBois, and Alonzo Herndon in advancement of the rights of African Americans or Blacks in the New South Era.
  • SS8H7.d Examine antisemitism and the resistance to racial equality exemplified in the Leo Frank case.
• SS8H8 Analyze Georgia’s participation in important events that occurred from World War I through the Great Depression.
  • Skills covering this topic are not currently available on IXL.
• SS8H9 Describe the role of Georgia in WWII.
  • Skills covering this topic are not currently available on IXL.
• SS8H10 Evaluate key post-World War II developments in Georgia.
  • Skills covering this topic are not currently available on IXL.
• SS8H11 Evaluate the role of Georgia in the modern civil rights movement.
  • Skills covering this topic are not currently available on IXL.
• SS8H12 Explain the importance of developments in Georgia since the late 20th century.
  • Skills covering this topic are not currently available on IXL.

SS8G Geographic Understandings

• SS8G1 Describe Georgia’s geography and climate.
  • Skills covering this topic are not currently available on IXL.

SS8CG Government/Civic Understandings

• SS8CG1 Describe the foundations of Georgia’s government.
  • SS8CG1.a Explain the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution (preamble, bill of rights, articles, and amendments) as well as its relationship to the United States Constitution.
  • SS8CG1.b Explain separation of powers and checks and balances among Georgia’s three branches of government.
  • SS8CG1.c Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens according to the Georgia Constitution.
  • SS8CG1.d List voting qualifications for elections in Georgia.
  • SS8CG1.e Identify wisdom, justice, and moderation as the three principles in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Georgia Flag.
• SS8CG2 Analyze the role of the legislative branch in Georgia.
  • Skills covering this topic are not currently available on IXL.
• SS8CG3 Analyze the role of the executive branch in Georgia state government.
  • Skills covering this topic are not currently available on IXL.
• SS8CG4 Analyze the role of the judicial branch in Georgia state government.
  • SS8CG4.a Describe the ways that judges are selected in Georgia.
  • SS8CG4.b Analyze the dual purpose of the judicial branch: to interpret the laws of Georgia and administer justice in our legal system.
  • SS8CG4.c Explain the difference between criminal law and civil law.
  • SS8CG4.d Explain the steps in the adult criminal justice system beginning with arrest.
• SS8CG5 Explain how the Georgia court system treats juvenile offenders.
  • SS8CG5.a Explain the difference between delinquent and unruly behavior and the consequences of each.
    • Laws and courts (8-C.1)
  • SS8CG5.b Describe the rights of juveniles involved in the juvenile justice system.
  • SS8CG5.c Explain the steps in the juvenile justice system when a juvenile is first taken into custody.
• SS8CG6 Analyze the role of local governments in the state of Georgia.
  • SS8CG6.a Explain the origins and purposes, of city, county, and special-purpose governments in Georgia.
  • SS8CG6.b Describe how local government is funded and how spending decisions are made.

SS8E Economic Understandings

• SS8E1 Explain how the four transportation systems (road, air, water, and rail) of Georgia contribute to the development and growth of the state’s economy.
  • Skills covering this topic are not currently available on IXL.
• SS8E2 Evaluate the influence of Georgia-based businesses on the State’s economic growth and development.
  • Skills covering this topic are not currently available on IXL.
• SS8E3 Explain the principles of effective personal money management.
  • Skills covering this topic are not currently available on IXL.

Information Processing Skills

• SS8IP The student will be able to locate, analyze, and synthesize information related to social studies topics and apply this information to solve problems/make decisions.
  • SS8IP.17 interpret political cartoons