Capitalism

The emergence of capitalism reshaped the entire planet. These classroom-ready lessons help students examine the conditions that led to capitalism's emergence as a dominant global system, and how its clash with socialism had a profound impact on societies. Engaging activities, primary sources, and videos enable deeper understanding of complex economic ideas while building historical thinking skills.
The History of Capitalism

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How to Teach Capitalism

World History Lesson Guide: Economic Systems and the Working Class External link Locked

Guide students to connect capitalism with the working class and reform movements that pushed back against this economic system. Teacher instructions and guiding questions included.

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Teacher Ideas to Explain Economic Systems External link

Students experience the difference between capitalism and socialism in a simulation, but how can we help them with a nuanced view of socialism vs. communism?
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PD Event: How We Made the Modern World External link

Explore the connection between capitalism and our industrialized modern world. Leave with tips to engage students in historical thinking: Are we still in an Industrial Revolution?
Blog

Blog: Teaching Globalization External link

Understand post-World War II capitalism as a driver of global connection—and its promise and challenges.
Course Guide icon

Reading External link

Dig into texts that reveal how European powers ran their empires like businesses with reading strategies that get students the most bang for their buck.

Teach Tomorrow: Lessons on Capitalism

Lesson 5.5
World History 1200
Industrialization
1750 – 1914 CE
Economic Systems and the Working Class
Industrial capitalism created dramatic divisions between rich and poor. Those forced to sell their labor for wages became known as the working class. New class relationships created new political and economic ideologies, such as socialism.
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Lesson 4.2
World History 1750
Reform Movements
1750 – 1914 CE
Capitalism and Socialism
Capitalism created new wealth and new struggles. Competing economic ideas offered different answers to the question of who should benefit from labor, and why it matters.
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Capitalism Activities and Resources

Overview of New Economic Systems
A bustling scene within the arcaded courtyard of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, the courtyard is framed by arches and columns with a tall tower visible in the background.
World History Origins
Article

Overview of New Economic Systems External link

Europeans combined and built on Afro-Eurasian ideas about credit, interest, and banking to help organize big trading voyages. This led to the emergence of capitalism.
Economic Systems Simulation
World History Origins
Activity

Economic Systems Simulation External link

In this game-based activity, you’ll see how capitalism and socialism approach opportunity and reward—and what it feels like to be on different sides of the system.
The Global Economy
A paper note with writing indicatin it is equivalent to one hundred Daler of Silver Coin to the care of Banco Director, Commissaries, Bookkeepers and Cashiers.
Big History
Article

The Global Economy External link

The global economy made it possible for people to have everything from headphones to houses. Explore how it got so complex, and what the future might hold.
Smith, Marx, and Keynes
Smith, Marx, and Keynes
World History 1750
Article

Smith, Marx, and Keynes External link

These three important economists developed economic models that define and drive the modern world.
Making Claims: Capitalism and Socialism
World History 1750
Closer

Making Claims: Capitalism and Socialism External link

In this activity, you’ll practice making strong claims and counterclaims using what you’ve learned about capitalism and socialism.
Capitalism and Slavery
A drawing of many, many enslaved people crammed onto a ship. The people have been tied up and are laying down, pressed against one another.
World History Origins
Article

Capitalism and Slavery External link

Slaving and slavery existed alongside capitalism. But were they rival economic systems? Or did they support each other?

Writing Assessments for Capitalism

Pre-Writing: Industrialization in the Long Nineteenth Century
World History Origins
Assessment

Pre-Writing: Industrialization in the Long Nineteenth Century External link

Get ready for writing by crafting a claim and gathering supporting evidence to decide how industrial capitalism impacted society.
DBQ Sources: Industrialization in the Long Nineteenth Century
World History Origins
Assessment

DBQ Sources: Industrialization in the Long Nineteenth Century External link

Analyze these sources and gather evidence to support your argument about the effects of capitalism on society.
Writing: Industrialization in the Long Nineteenth Century
World History Origins
Assessment

Writing: Industrialization in the Long Nineteenth Century External link

Time to write! Demonstrate your understanding of the effects of industrial capitalism by creating a written argument in response to the prompt.
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Growth or No Growth? Capitalism, Prosperity, and Globalization

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Origins of Transoceanic Connections and Connections to Capitalism Lesson Resources

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Combining lessons- Capitalism, Finance, the Business of Empire, and the Plantation system Gallery Walk

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