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GRADE 11

Modern World History

Approximately 1300 to the Present — Global exchange, revolutions, imperialism, world wars, decolonization and interdependence.

Essential course question: How did global interactions, revolutions, industrialization, and conflict shape the modern world?

11 units / pathways40 planned lessons

Curriculum Overview and Unit Map

Use the expandable unit directory to see course topics, proposed learning outcomes, pacing and each named lesson. Select any lesson to open its structured preview.

11 units40 lessonsStandards mapping in development
11.1 · Global Connections and Transformation3 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does global connections and transformation help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: Global Connections and Transformation · The World Around 1300 · Afro-Eurasian Trade Networks · The Mongol Empire and Global Exchange

Suggested time: Approx. 3–6 class periods (planning estimate)

1. The World Around 1300Lesson in Development2. Afro-Eurasian Trade NetworksLesson in Development3. The Mongol Empire and Global ExchangeLesson in Development
11.2 · Renaissance and Reformation3 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does renaissance and reformation help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: Renaissance and Reformation · Renaissance Humanism and Art · The Protestant Reformation · Religious and Political Transformation

Suggested time: Approx. 3–6 class periods (planning estimate)

1. Renaissance Humanism and ArtLesson in Development2. The Protestant ReformationLesson in Development3. Religious and Political TransformationLesson in Development
11.3 · Exploration and Global Empires4 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does exploration and global empires help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: Exploration and Global Empires · Maritime Exploration and Expansion · The Columbian Exchange · Colonization and Its Human Consequences

Suggested time: Approx. 4–8 class periods (planning estimate)

1. Maritime Exploration and ExpansionLesson in Development2. The Columbian ExchangeLesson in Development3. Colonization and Its Human ConsequencesLesson in Development4. The Atlantic Slave TradeLesson in Development
11.4 · Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment3 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does scientific revolution and enlightenment help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment · A New Scientific Worldview · Enlightenment Political Philosophy · Enlightenment Ideas and Modern Government

Suggested time: Approx. 3–6 class periods (planning estimate)

1. A New Scientific WorldviewLesson in Development2. Enlightenment Political PhilosophyLesson in Development3. Enlightenment Ideas and Modern GovernmentLesson in Development
11.5 · Political Revolutions4 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does political revolutions help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: Political Revolutions · The French Revolution · The Haitian Revolution · Latin American Independence Movements

Suggested time: Approx. 4–8 class periods (planning estimate)

1. The French RevolutionLesson in Development2. The Haitian RevolutionLesson in Development3. Latin American Independence MovementsLesson in Development4. Comparing Revolutionary Ideals and OutcomesLesson in Development
11.6 · Industrial Revolution3 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does industrial revolution help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: Industrial Revolution · Why Industrialization Began · Industrial Cities and Labor · Global Economic and Social Change

Suggested time: Approx. 3–6 class periods (planning estimate)

1. Why Industrialization BeganLesson in Development2. Industrial Cities and LaborLesson in Development3. Global Economic and Social ChangeLesson in Development
11.7 · Imperialism and Resistance4 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does imperialism and resistance help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: Imperialism and Resistance · The New Imperialism · The Scramble for Africa · Imperialism in Asia

Suggested time: Approx. 4–8 class periods (planning estimate)

1. The New ImperialismLesson in Development2. The Scramble for AfricaLesson in Development3. Imperialism in AsiaLesson in Development4. Resistance to Colonial RuleLesson in Development
11.8 · World War I3 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does world war i help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: World War I · Causes of the First World War · Trench Warfare and Total War · The Treaty of Versailles and Its Consequences

Suggested time: Approx. 3–6 class periods (planning estimate)

1. Causes of the First World WarLesson in Development2. Trench Warfare and Total WarLesson in Development3. The Treaty of Versailles and Its ConsequencesLesson in Development
11.9 · Interwar Years and World War II5 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does interwar years and world war ii help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: Interwar Years and World War II · Global Depression and Political Instability · The Rise of Fascism · World War II as a Global Conflict

Suggested time: Approx. 5–10 class periods (planning estimate)

1. Global Depression and Political InstabilityLesson in Development2. The Rise of FascismLesson in Development3. World War II as a Global ConflictLesson in Development4. The Holocaust and GenocideLesson in Development5. The End of World War IILesson in Development
11.10 · Cold War and Decolonization4 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does cold war and decolonization help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: Cold War and Decolonization · The Cold War and Global Rivalries · Independence Movements in Africa · Decolonization in Asia

Suggested time: Approx. 4–8 class periods (planning estimate)

1. The Cold War and Global RivalriesLesson in Development2. Independence Movements in AfricaLesson in Development3. Decolonization in AsiaLesson in Development4. The Collapse of the Soviet UnionLesson in Development
11.11 · The Contemporary World4 lessons

Unit inquiry: How does the contemporary world help us understand historical contexts, evidence, and change?

Topics: The Contemporary World · Globalization and Interdependence · The United Nations and International Cooperation · Human Rights and Global Challenges

Suggested time: Approx. 4–8 class periods (planning estimate)

1. Globalization and InterdependenceLesson in Development2. The United Nations and International CooperationLesson in Development3. Human Rights and Global ChallengesLesson in Development4. Technology, Migration, and Modern SocietiesLesson in Development

Our Curriculum Design Notes

Independently developed by educators, this historical inquiry sequence organizes fundamental subject knowledge into source analysis, questions, evidence-based interpretation and assessment.

Curriculum Design Reflection

Course units use multiple perspectives, accessible learning opportunities, historical thinking and substantive assessments. Lesson source references and interactive experiences are added through the editorial workflow.