Oklahoma Social Studies MWH.C.2.5.A
The Standard
- MWH.C.2
- Analyze patterns of social, economic, political, and cultural changes during the Late Middle Ages to the Age of Exploration.
- MWH.C.2.5
- Analyze migration, settlement patterns, and the impact on indigenous peoples caused by a competition among European nations during the Age of Exploration.
Explain the economic and religious motivations that prompted European exploratory expeditions into the Western Hemisphere and describe how these expeditions led to the expansion of the Spanish and Portuguese empires in Latin America.
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · MWH.C.2.5
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify trade goals, such as reaching Asian markets, and the goal of spreading Christianity. They explain how Atlantic voyages led to Spanish conquest in Mexico and Peru and Portuguese settlement in Brazil.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can label Spanish territories in Mexico and Peru and Portuguese territory in Brazil on a map. They can connect trade and religious goals to voyages, then explain how claims, conquest, and settlement expanded each empire.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think Columbus sailed west knowing he would reach the Americas. They may think Portugal conquered Mexico or that trade and religious goals were unrelated.
How to Assess It
- On an exit ticket, ask: What was one trade goal and one religious goal behind Atlantic voyages? How did those voyages help Spain gain Mexico and Portugal gain Brazil?
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have students trace Columbus's and Cabral's routes on a map, then shade Spanish territories in Mexico and Peru and Portuguese territory in Brazil.
Ask students to write a crown adviser's memo arguing for an Atlantic voyage using one trade goal and one religious goal.
Give pairs six clue cards, including Asian trade routes and the Brazilian coast, to sort into motives and empire-building results.
Compare photos of Mexico City Cathedral and Salvador Cathedral, then ask how each building shows the lasting effects of colonial rule.
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Related Standards
- MWH.C.2.5.C
Explain how the origins of modern capitalism and mercantilism in Europe impacted international trading patterns, prompting global exploration and rivalry.
- 4.C.3.2.A
Explain how Spain, France, and England were motivated to explore the continent by a desire to expand their wealth and culture, convert Native peoples to Christi...
- 4.C.3.2
Summarize the goals and consequences of European expeditions of North America.
- 5.C.1.2
Summarize the economic, political, and cultural reasons for European colonization of North America, including competition over the continent’s land and natural ...
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