• Explain the motivations, obstacles, and accomplishments of sponsors and leaders of key expeditions from Spain, France, Portugal, and England.
  
• Identify the economic, ideological, religious, and nationalist forces that led to competition among European powers for control of the Americas.
  
• Identify the political, economic, and social impact of the encounter between European and early cultures in the Americas.

Social Studies 8.1.3
Students will describe key people, events, and ideas from colonial America.
Example Indicators:

• Explain the factors that led to the founding of the colonies, e.g., the escape from religious persecution, economic opportunity, release from prison, and military adventure.
  
• Describe geographic, political, economic, and social contrasts in the three regions of New England, the mid-Atlantic, and the South.
  
• Describe life in the colonies in the 18th century from the perspectives of Native Americans, large landowners, farmers, artisans, women, and slaves.
  
• Explain the principal economic and political connections between the colonies and England.

Social Studies 8.3.5
Students will explain the structure and operation of the United States economy and the role of citizens as producers and consumers.
Example Indicators:

• Define the concepts of scarcity, choice, trade-offs, specialization, entrepreneurship, productivity, inflation, profits, markets, supply and demand, and unemployment and incentives.
  
• Analyze the effect of producer and consumer behavior on markets.
  
• Describe the role of individuals and businesses as consumers, savers, investors, and borrowers.
  
• Explain how various institutions help individuals and groups accomplish economic goals.
  
• Describe common forms of credit, savings, investments, purchases, and contractual agreements, e.g., warranties, and guarantees.
  
• Analyze skills necessary for career opportunities, e.g., individual abilities, skills, and education, and the changing supply and demand for those skills in the economy.
  
• Describe the development of money, savings, and credit.

Social Studies 8.3.6
Students will compare the United States economic system to systems in other countries.
Example Indicators:

• Describe the government's role in the United States economy, e.g., provision of public goods and services, protection of consumer rights, and the promotion of competition.
  
• Describe the impact of government policies, on individuals and businesses, taxation, and government borrowing
  
• Explain how the government addresses third-party costs and benefits, e.g., pollution and medical research.
  
• Explain the differences between traditional command and market economics.
  
• Analyze the costs and benefits of instituting different degrees of market, command, and traditional characteristics in to mixed economic systems.

Social Studies 8.3.7
Students will summarize the rights and responsibilities of United States citizens.
Example Indicators:

• Identify the way individuals of cultural, ethnic, and other interest groups can influence governments.