Virginia History and Social Science Standards of Learning -- Grade 7

Civics and Economics

7.1 The student will compare the Charters of the Virginia Company of London, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitutions of the United States and Virginia, as amended, with emphasis on:

their treatment of fundamental political principles including constitutionalism and limited government, rule of law, democracy and republicanism, sovereignty, consent of the governed, separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism;
• Joint-Stock Companies
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush72/2b.asp
  
• The House of Burgesses
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush72/2f.asp
  
• The Declaration of Independence
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush72/10g.asp
  
• Societal Impacts of the American Revolution AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush72/12.asp
  
• The Declaration of Independence and Its Legacy
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/1a.asp
  
• The War Experience: Soldiers, Officers, and Civilians
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/1b.asp
  
• Making Rules AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/2.asp
  
• The Tough Issues
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/3c.asp
  
• Constitution Through Compromise
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/3d.asp
  
• Ratifying the Constitution AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/4.asp
  
• The Purposes of Government
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/1a.asp
  
• Types of Government
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/1b.asp
  
• What Is a Democracy?
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/1c.asp
  
• Foundations of American Government AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/2.asp
  
• Federalism AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/3.asp
  

and fundamental liberties, rights, and values including religion, speech, press, assembly and petition, due process, equality under the law, individual worth and dignity, majority rule and minority rights, etc.
• Joint-Stock Companies
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush72/2b.asp
  
• The House of Burgesses
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush72/2f.asp
  
• The Declaration of Independence
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush72/10g.asp
  
• Societal Impacts of the American Revolution AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush72/12.asp
  
• The Tough Issues
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/3c.asp
  
• Constitution Through Compromise
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/3d.asp
  
• Ratifying the Constitution AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/4.asp
  
• Mount Vernon and the Dilemma of a Revolutionary Slave Holder
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/5e.asp
  
• The Bill of Rights
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/6a.asp
  
• Jeffersonian Ideology
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/8b.asp
  
• Democratic Values -- Liberty, Equality, Justice
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/1d.asp
  
• Foundations of American Government AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/2.asp
  

7.2 The student will compare the national, state, and local governments, with emphasis on:

their structures, functions, and powers;
• Congress: The People's Branch? AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/6.asp
  
• The Presidency: The Leadership Branch? AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/7.asp
  
• The Judicial Branch AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/9.asp
  
• State and Local Governments
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/12.asp
  
• State and Local Governments: Democracy at Work?
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/12a.asp
  

the election and appointment of officials;
• Two Parties Emerge
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/7c.asp
  
• The Election of 1800
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/8a.asp
  
• The 1824 Election and the 'Corrupt Bargain'
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/11d.asp
  
• The Southern Homefront
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush82/11d.asp
  
• The Election of 1896
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/6e.asp
  
• The Election of 1912
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/8f.asp
  
• The New Deal
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/2.asp
  
• Gains and Pains
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/7e.asp
  
• The Election of 1960
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/9a.asp
  
• 1968: Year of Unraveling
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/9f.asp
  
• Republicans vs. Democrats
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/13c.asp
  
• American Political Attitudes and Participation AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/4.asp
  
• How Do Citizens Connect With Their Government? AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/5.asp
  
• Selection and Succession of the President
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/7c.asp
  
• How Judges and Justices Are Chosen
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/9d.asp
  

the division and sharing of powers among levels of government;
• The First Administration
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/5c.asp
  
• Farewell Address
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/5d.asp
  
• A New National Capital: Washington, D.C.
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/8d.asp
  
• A Federalist Stronghold: John Marshall's Supreme Court
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/8e.asp
  
• A Strong Presidency
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush82/1b.asp
  
• The South Carolina Nullification Controversy
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush82/1c.asp
  
• The War Against the Bank
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush82/1d.asp
  
• The Trail of Tears -- The Indian Removals
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush82/1f.asp
  
• The Canal Era
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush82/2a.asp
  
• Showdown in Little Rock
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/7c.asp
  
• Creating the Constitution
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/2c.asp
  
• Federalism AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/3.asp
  
• State and Local Governments AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/12.asp
  

the separation and sharing of powers within levels of government; and
• The First Administration
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/5c.asp
  
• Farewell Address
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/5d.asp
  
• A New National Capital: Washington, D.C.
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/8d.asp
  
• A Federalist Stronghold: John Marshall's Supreme Court
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/8e.asp
  
• A Strong Presidency
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush82/1b.asp
  
• The South Carolina Nullification Controversy
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush82/1c.asp
  
• The War Against the Bank
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush82/1d.asp
  
• The Trail of Tears -- The Indian Removals
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush82/1f.asp
  
• The Canal Era
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush82/2a.asp
  
• Showdown in Little Rock
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/7c.asp
  
• Creating the Constitution
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/2c.asp
  
• Federalism AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/3.asp
  
• State and Local Governments AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/12.asp
  

the process of amending the United States and Virginia Constitutions.
• Creating the Constitution
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/2c.asp
  
• The Bill of Rights
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/2d.asp
  

7.3 The student will compare the election process at the local, state, and national levels of government, with emphasis on:

nomination and promotion of candidates for elective office;
• How Do Citizens Connect With Their Government?
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/5.asp
  
• Political Parties
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/5a.asp
  
• Campaigns and Elections
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/5b.asp
  
• Who Is in Congress?
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/6d.asp
  
• Selection and Succession of the President
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/7c.asp
  

similarities and differences between the major political parties;
• Republicans vs. Democrats
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/13c.asp
  
• American Political Attitudes and Participation
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/4.asp
  
• What Factors Shape Political Attitudes?
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/4b.asp
  
• How Do Citizens Connect With Their Government?
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/5.asp
  
• Political Parties
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/5a.asp
  

voter turnout;
• American Political Attitudes and Participation
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/4.asp
  
• What Factors Shape Political Attitudes?
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/4b.asp
  

evaluating accuracy of campaign advertising;

and distinguishing between reporting, analysis, and editorializing in the media, and recognition of bias.

• The Media
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/5d.asp
  

7.4 The student will compare the policy-making process at the local, state, and national levels of government, with emphasis on:

the basic law-making process within the respective legislative bodies;
• How a Bill Becomes a Law
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/6e.asp
  
• State and Local Governments
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/12.asp
  
• State and Local Governments: Democracy at Work?
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/12a.asp
  

the interaction between the chief executives and the legislative bodies;
• Corruption Runs Wild
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/3d.asp
  
• Roosevelt's Critics
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/2f.asp
  
• The Arsenal of Democracy
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/3d.asp
  
• Domestic Challenges
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/5f.asp
  
• Passing the Torch
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/8e.asp
  
• Farewell to Isolation
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/10a.asp
  
• Republicans vs. Democrats
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/13c.asp
  
• The Presidency: The Leadership Branch?
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/7.asp
  
• The Evolution of the Presidency
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/7a.asp
  
• All the President's Men and Women
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/7b.asp
  
• Selection and Succession of the President
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/7c.asp
  
• The President's Job
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/7d.asp
  
• The Organization of the Bureaucracy
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/8b.asp
  
• Policy Making: Political Interactions AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/11.asp
  
• State and Local Governments
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/12.asp
  
• State and Local Governments: Democracy at Work?
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/12a.asp
  

the functions of departments, agencies, and regulatory bodies;
• Muckrakers
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/7b.asp
  
• All the President's Men and Women
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/7b.asp
  
• The Bureaucracy: The Real Government AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/8.asp
  

the roles of political parties at the state and national levels;
• Political Parties
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/5a.asp
  
• Campaigns and Elections
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/5b.asp
  
• State and Local Governments
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/12.asp
  

the ways that individuals and cultural, ethnic, and other interest groups can influence government policymakers;
• A New Civil Rights Movement AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/7.asp
  
• The Election of 1960
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/9a.asp
  
• Shaping a New America
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/10.asp
  
• A Baby Boomer in the White House
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/13b.asp
  
• How Do Citizens Connect With Their Government? AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/5.asp
  
• State and Local Governments
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/12.asp
  

and the impact of the media on public opinion and policymakers.
• The Vietnam War
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/8.asp
  
• Operation Desert Storm
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/13a.asp
  
• The Media
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/5d.asp
  

7.5 The student will distinguish between the judicial systems established by the Virginia and United States Constitutions, with emphasis on:

the organization and jurisdiction of Virginia and United States courts;
• A Federalist Stronghold: John Marshall's Supreme Court
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/8e.asp
  
• The Judicial Branch AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/9.asp
  

the exercise of the power of judicial review;
• A Federalist Stronghold: John Marshall's Supreme Court
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/8e.asp
  
• The Power of the Federal Courts
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/9e.asp
  

the process of bringing and resolving criminal and civil cases in Virginia's judicial system;

and the function and process of the juvenile justice system in Virginia.

7.6 The student will explain the structure and operation of the United States economy as compared with other economies, with emphasis on:

the basic concepts of free market, as described by Adam Smith, and of communism, as described by Karl Marx;
• Comparing Economic Systems
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/13b.asp
  
• The Industrial Revolution: 18th century Britain
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/eur12/3a.asp
  
• Marxism and Socialism
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/eur12/3d.asp
  

the concepts of supply and demand, scarcity, choices, trade-offs, private ownership, incentives, consumer sovereignty, markets, and competition;
• Reaganomics
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/12b.asp
  
• The End of the American Century
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/13e.asp
  
• Comparing Economic Systems
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/13b.asp
  

private and public financial institutions;
• Hamilton's Financial Plan
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/6b.asp
  
• The War Against the Bank
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush82/1d.asp
  
• The New Tycoons: J. Pierpont Morgan
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/1d.asp
  

the economic impact of consumption, saving and investment, and borrowing by individuals, firms, and governments;
• A Consumer Economy
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/11f.asp
  
• Domestic and International Politics
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/12e.asp
  
• The Great Depression AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/1.asp
  
• A Bank Holiday
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/2a.asp
  

and the differences between free market, centrally planned, and mixed economies.

7.7 The student will describe the role of governments in the United States economy, with emphasis on:

provision of public goods and services;
• The Canal Era
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush82/2a.asp
  
• Early American Railroads
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush82/2b.asp
  
• Putting People Back to Work
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/2b.asp
  
• Domestic Challenges
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/5f.asp
  
• Kennedy's New Frontier
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/9b.asp
  
• All the President's Men and Women
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/7b.asp
  
• Social and Regulatory Policy
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/11d.asp
  

protection of consumer rights, contracts, and property rights;
• The New Tycoons: John D. Rockefeller
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/1b.asp
  
• The New Tycoons: Andrew Carnegie
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/1c.asp
  
• The New Tycoons: J. Pierpont Morgan
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/1d.asp
  
• The Trust Buster
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/8b.asp
  
• Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/8g.asp
  
• The Cold War Erupts
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/5a.asp
  

the impact of government taxation, borrowing, and spending on individuals and on the production and distribution of goods and services;
• The Sickened Economy
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/11b.asp
  
• Reaganomics
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/12b.asp
  

and the role of the Federal Reserve System and the impact of monetary policy on the money supply and interest rates.
• Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/8g.asp
  
• Reaganomics
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/12b.asp
  

7.8 The student will compare the American political and economic system to systems of other nations, including Japan, China, and leading Western European nations, in terms of

governmental structures and powers;
• Comparative Political and Economic Systems AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/13.asp
  
• The Collapse of the Soviet Union
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/eur12/12a.asp
  

the degree of governmental control over the economy;
• Comparative Political and Economic Systems AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/13.asp
  
• Marxism and Socialism
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/eur12/3d.asp
  
• The Collapse of the Soviet Union
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/eur12/12a.asp
  
• The European Union and European Identity
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/eur12/12d.asp
  

and entrepreneurship, productivity, and standards of living.
• The Gilded Age AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush11/1.asp
  
• Comparing Economic Systems
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/13b.asp
  
• The Collapse of the Soviet Union
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/eur12/12a.asp
  

7.9 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizens in America by

describing ways individuals participate in the political process, such as registering and voting, communicating with government officials, participating in political campaigns, serving on juries and in voluntary appointed positions;
• Shaping a New America AND ALL FOCUS TOPICS
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush12/10.asp
  
• Participating in Government
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/4d.asp
  
• Voting: A Forgotten Privilege?
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/4e.asp
  
• State and Local Governments: Democracy at Work?
  http://www.beyondbooks.com/gov91/12a.asp
  

describing and evaluating common forms of credit, savings, investments, purchases, contractual agreements, warranties, and guarantees;

and analyzing career opportunities, in terms of individual abilities, skills, and education, and the changing supply and demand for those skills in the economy.

7.10 The student will interpret maps, tables, diagrams, charts, political cartoons, and basic indicators of economic performance (gross domestic product, consumer price index, productivity, index of leading economic indicators, etc.) for understanding of economic and political issues.

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