New Mexico, Social Studies
Content Standards and Benchmarks

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Grade 5 History

Explore and explain how people and events have influenced the development of New Mexico up to the present day.

1. Describe changes of governance of New Mexico (e.g., indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, French, Texan, United States).
2. Explain the reasons for European exploration of the Americas.

Analyze and interpret major eras, events, and individuals from the periods of exploration and colonization through the Civil War and Reconstruction in United States history.

1. Explain the motivations for the European exploration of the Americas (e.g., Leif Ericson, Christopher Columbus, John Cabot, Hernán Cortez, Jacques Cartier, Henry Hudson
2. Describe and explain the reasons for colonization, to include:
   • religious freedom
   • desire for land
   • economic opportunity
   • a new way of life, including the role and views of key individuals who founded colonies (e.g., John Smith, William Penn, Lord Baltimore).

3. Explain the significance of major historical documents (e.g., the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers, United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, the Gettysburg Address).
4. Identify the interactions between American Indians and European settlers, including agriculture, cultural exchanges, alliances, and conflicts (e.g., the First Thanksgiving, the Pueblo Revolt, French and Indian War).
5. Describe how the introduction of slavery into the Americas, and especially the United States, laid a foundation for conflict.
6. Explain early representative government and identify democratic practices that emerged (e.g., Iroquois Nation model, town meetings, assemblies).

Compare and contrast major historical eras, events, and figures from ancient civilizations to the Age of Exploration.

1. Describe the characteristics of early societies, including the development of tools and adaptation to environments.
2. Identify, describe, and explain the political, religious, economic and social conditions in Europe that led to the Era of Colonization.
3. Identify the European countries that colonized the North American continent and their areas of settlement.
4. Describe the development of slavery as a widespread practice that limits human freedoms and potentials.

Research historical events and people from a variety of perspectives.

1. Differentiate between, locate, and use primary and secondary sources (e.g., computer software, interviews, biographies, oral histories, print, visual material, artifacts) to acquire information.
2. Use resources for historical information (e.g., libraries, museums, historical societies, courthouse, world wide web, family records, elders).
3. Gather, organize, and interpret information using a variety of media and technology.
4. Show the relationship between social contexts and events.
5. Use effective communication skills and strategies to share research findings.