Social Studies
Grade 8
Name
Themes of History
Theme
Tradition
Innovation
Examples
Tradition is the handing down of a belief or
custom, while innovation is the introduction of
something new. They conflict because some people
do not want to change their beliefs.
Galileo proved that the earth revolved around the
sun despite religious beliefs.
Over the years the traditional clothing innovated for
more comfort and different styles.
A community or group can seclude themselves from
the world which limits trade and world connections,
while open communities develop a stronger trade and
culture.
Expansion
Isolation
North Korea isolates its people from the rest of the
world.
Rome expanded throughout most of the western
world.
When one person or a small group of people have a
viewpoint, take an action, or lead a movement
against the majority.
Individual
Society
Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus,
going against the culture of the South during
segregation.
Al-Qaeda attacked New York and Washington, DC
on Sept. 11, 2001.
Theme
Examples
When a group of people are being ruled by
uncompromising leaders and want to govern
themselves and make their own laws.
Liberty
Authority
The American colonists fought against the British
for freedom to govern themselves.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. protested against the
inequality and discrimination of the African
American people.
Poverty and wealth are what separate the social
classes; the wealthy people often overpower the
poor.
Poverty
Wealth
Britain had a lot of money in the 1700’s which is
why they controlled a lot of colonies.
In ancient Egypt, the wealthy were pharaohs,
priests and government officials, and the poor were
farmers or workers.
When humans and the environment interact which
could have negative or positive effects. They can
each harm the other.
Humans
Environment
March 11, 2011, tsunami hit Japan, caused
catastrophic results such as flooding homes and
killing many people.
June 10, 1999, an international group of scientists
has documented widespread pollution covering
about 100 million square kilometers of the tropical
Indian Ocean.