Unit 5: International Trade

Overview
In this unit, students will examine the history of the current economic system and the changes
brought about by globalization. Students will analyze the effects of these changes and of U.S. trade
policy on people in the United States and around the world in order to determine the benefits and
detriments of global trade and economy on the environment, international politics, local political and
economic systems, and cultures. For a complete overview of the unit, please read page 1 of the
Student Resource and page 2 of the Teacher Resource for International Trade: Competition and
Cooperation in a Globalized World.
Note to Teachers
The Choices Program Supplemental Materials for this unit are located at
http://www.choices.edu/resources/supplemental_trade.php
Teachers should note that the Choices Program materials for this unit do not contain a sufficient
number of maps, so Maps 101 and any other map resources should be used to supplement this unit.
In this unit, students should begin sharing what theyre learning in their Independent Study research
as it relates to international trade concerns. Teachers should hold students accountable for outside
research, reading, writing, and sharing as part of the Independent Study and seminar aspects of the
course. Students may choose to share such things as primary and secondary historical context
documents, legal documents, maps, charts, graphs, interviews, information from inter- and supranational organizations, literature, poetry, auto-/biographies, art, philosophical and/or religious texts,
music, fliers, propaganda, commercials, advertisements, caricatures, depictions, sculptures, scripts,
leaflets and popular culture. When students share their factual knowledge, they should also offer
analysis and insights into the positive and negative effects of the growing influence of international
trade on globalization.
Generalizations
1.

There are a variety of data collection methods and visual representations that serve different
purposes and provide different types of information.

2.

Historical events (including war and conflict), geographic factors, physical and ideological
movements, technological and informational revolutions, political systems, and economic
situations contribute to the development of globalization.

3.

Globalization can affect the climate, natural resources, and species of various places, and the
sustainability and depletion of natural resources as well as the preservation and conservation
efforts concerning those resources impact economic growth and development.

4.

Globalization can affect immigration, migration, and demographic transition, thereby potentially
creating religious, ethnic, cultural, and or social/human rights conflicts and affecting the adaptive
strategies of some cultural groups.

5.

Transnational corporations, supranational organizations, and international nongovernmental

organizations can impact globalization.

6.

Comparative advantage, specialization, global trade patterns, and economic growth can influence
the globalization process and possibly lead to economic protectionism for some countries.

7.

Political systems and political sovereignty impact the global economy, and international treaties,
charters, agreements, and laws can affect individual geographic areas, various cultures, and
international relationships.

21st Century Geography

Unit 5

8.

Western values such as democracy, individual rights, and capitalism have impacted many nonWestern cultures.

Essential Questions
1

Why do people trade?

What is protectionism?

What is free trade?

How did the Great Depression influence U.S. trade policy?

What foreign policy concerns helped shape U.S. trade policy after World War II?

How did the U.S. encourage world trade after WWII, and why did the U.S. promote free trade?

How did trade liberalization help the U.S. during the Cold War?

What is globalization?

How has economic globalization affected the U.S.?

10

How has globalization affected trade?

11

Why do some resent the presence of U.S. firms around the world?

12

What are trade agreements, and how have they affected economic globalization?

13

What is the World Trade Organization (WTO), and why do some groups criticize it?

14

What other trade partnerships does the U.S. have?

15

What are the support and criticisms of free trade?

16

How does foreign aid sometimes conflict with foreign trade?

17

How do U.S. agriculture subsidies affect farmers in poor countries?

18

Why do some countries benefit more from trade than others?

19

How have income levels changed in the last 30 years?

20

How has India, particularly its automotive industry, been affected by international trade?

21

How has international trade affected Senegal and its cultural food?

22

What impact has economic globalization had on the U.S.?

23

What is outsourcing?

24

How has growth in trade affected people in the U.S.?

21st Century Geography

Unit 5

Unit Goals
What do students need to KNOW?

What do students need to be able to DO?

12

2
3
4

5
6

9
10
11

The roles of the environment, natural

resources, and goods in why people trade
Definitions of protectionism, free trade,
globalization, and outsourcing
The influence of the Great Depression, WWII,
and the Cold War on U.S. trade policy
The positive and negative effects of
protectionism and free trade and the reasons
countries choose one over the other
The effects of globalization on trade
Trade agreements, the WTO, and other trade
partnerships and their positive and negative
effects on economic globalization
Conflicts between foreign aid and foreign
trade and their effects on regional cultures,
environments, economies, and political
system
Why some countries benefit more from trade
than others and how that has changed
income levels in the last 30 years
The effects of international trade on India
and Senegal
The impact of economic globalization on the
U.S.
The effects of the growth in trade on people
in the U.S.

13
14
15

16

17
18

19

20

21
22
23

21st Century Geography

Unit 5

Use various types of maps, charts, and visual

representations to gather and interpret
information and draw conclusions
Explain the roles of the environment, natural
resources, and goods in why people trade
Define protectionism, free trade,
globalization, and outsourcing
Analyze the influence of the Great
Depression, WWII, and the Cold War on U.S.
trade policy
Analyze the positive and negative effects of
protectionism and free trade and the reasons
countries choose one over the other
Analyze the effects of globalization on trade
Explain trade agreements, the WTO, and
other trade partnerships and analyze their
positive and negative effects on economic
globalization
Analyze conflicts between foreign aid and
foreign trade and their effects on regional
cultures, environments, economies, and
political systems
Explain why some countries benefit more
from trade than others and how that has
changed income levels in the last 30 years
Analyze the effects of international trade on
India and Senegal
Analyze the impact of economic globalization
on the U.S.
Analyze the effects of the growth in trade on
people in the U.S.

I Can Statements
1

I Can use various types of maps, charts, and visual representations to gather and interpret
information and draw conclusions.

I Can explain the roles of the environment, natural resources, and goods in why people trade.

I Can define protectionism, free trade, globalization, and outsourcing.

I Can analyze the influence of the Great Depression, WWII, and the Cold War on U.S. trade policy.

I Can analyze the positive and negative effects of protectionism and free trade and the reasons
countries choose one over the other.

I Can analyze the effects of globalization on trade.

I Can explain trade agreements, the WTO, and other trade partnerships and analyze their positive
and negative effects on economic globalization.

I Can analyze conflicts between foreign aid and foreign trade and their effects on regional
cultures, environments, economies, and political systems.

I Can explain why some countries benefit more from trade than others and how that has changed
income levels in the last 30 years.

10

I Can analyze the effects of international trade on India and Senegal.

11

I Can analyze the impact of economic globalization on the U.S.

12

I Can analyze the effects of the growth in trade on people in the U.S.

21st Century Geography

Unit 5

Aligned Course Essential Standards

G.1 Apply
geographic
skills to
understand the
spatial
relationship
between
humans and
their
environment.

G.2 Analyze the

historical
antecedents
and geographic
factors that led
to the
development of
globalization.

G.3 Analyze
Changes in the
physical
environment as
a result of
globalization.

G.4 Analyze
changes in
culture as a
result of
globalization.

G.5 Analyze
changes in
economics as a
result of
globalization.

G.6 Analyze
changes in
politics as a
result of
globalization.

G.1.2 Compare
various types of
visual
representations
, such as
traditional and
mental maps,
charts, graphs,
and remote
imaging.

G.2.1 Interpret
the origin and
processes of
globalization
using historical
and
geographical
perspectives.

G.3.2 Analyze
the relationship
between
sustainability
and natural
resource
depletion in
terms of
economic
growth and
development.

G.4.1 Compare
the cultural
characteristics
of various
places and the
effects of
globalization on
those places.

G.5.1 Analyze
transnational
corporations in
terms of their
role in the
globalization
process.

G.6.1 Evaluate
the extent to
which the
political system
of a place
impacts its
involvement in
the global
economy.

G.1.3 Use
geographic
data and visual
representations
to interpret
spatial
relationships
and to draw
conclusions
about observed
phenomena.

G.2.2 Analyze
how the
movement of
goods, people,
and ideas
encouraged and
impacted
globalization.
G.2.4 Evaluate
the extent to
which certain
historic/geograp
hic factors
encouraged and
impacted
globalization.

G.3.3 Explain
how places are
influenced by
human
perception and
modification of
the
environment.

G.4.3 Analyze
localism and
ways cultural
groups
maintain their
distinct cultural
characteristics.
G.4.4 Analyze
the impact of
globalization on
population
migration and
demographic
transition.
G.4.5 Analyze
the use of
adaptive
strategies and
preventative
measures by
various cultures
in a global
environment.

G.5.2 Explain
how
comparative
advantage and
specialization
influence the
globalization
process.
G.5.3 Analyze
global trade
patterns in
terms of
natural,
human, and
capital resource
flows.
G.5.4 Evaluate
the effects of
economic
growth on
people and
places in terms
of costs and
benefits.
G.5.5 Evaluate
economic
protectionism
in terms of
costs and
benefits.

21st Century Geography

Unit 5

G.6.3 Analyze
supra-national
organizations in
terms of their
purpose,
development,
and products.
G.6.5 Analyze
international
treaties,
charters, and
agreements in
terms of their
purpose and
effects on
various places.
G.6.6 Explain
the impact of
Western values
such as
democracy,
individual
rights, and
capitalism on
various places.

21st Century Geography

Unit 5

Common Core Standards for Literacy in History and Social Studies

READING

WRITING

CMS CCSS Power Standards:

CMS CCSS Power Standards:

R.11-12.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support

analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting
insights gained from specific details to an understanding
of the text as a whole.

W.11-12.1 Write arguments focused on disciplinespecific content.

R.11-12.10 Read and comprehend history/social

studies texts in the grade 11-CCR text complexity band
independently and proficiently.

W.11-12.2 Write informative/explanatory texts,

including the narration of historical events, scientific
procedures/ experiments, or technical processes.

Additional Reading Standards:

Additional Writing Standards:

R.11-12.2. Determine the central ideas or information

of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate
summary that makes clear the relationships among the
key details and ideas.

W.11-12.3 not applicable as a separate requirement

R.11-12.3. Evaluate various explanations for actions or

events and determine which explanation best accords
with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text
leaves matters uncertain.
R.11-12.4. Determine the meaning of words and
phrases as they are used in a text, including analyzing
how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key
term over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison
defines faction in Federalist No. 10).
R.11-12.5. Analyze in detail how a complex primary
source is structured, including how key sentences,
paragraphs, and larger portions of the text contribute to
the whole.
R.11-12.6 Evaluate authors differing points of view on
the same historical event or issue by assessing the
authors claims, reasoning, and evidence.
R.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of
information presented in diverse formats and media
(e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in
order to address a question or solve a problem.
R.11-12.8 Evaluate an authors premises, claims, and
evidence by corroborating or challenging them with
other information.
R.11-12.9 Integrate information from diverse sources,
both primary and secondary, into a coherent
understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies
among sources.

21st Century Geography

Unit 5

W.11-12.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which

the development, organization, and style are appropriate
to task, purpose, and audience.
W.11-12.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed
by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new
approach, focusing on addressing what is most
significant for a specific purpose and audience.
W.11-12.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to
produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing
products in response to ongoing feedback, including new
arguments or information.
W.11-12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained
research projects to answer a question (including a selfgenerated question) or solve a problem; narrow or
broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize
multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating
understanding of the subject under investigation.
W.11-12.8 Gather relevant information from multiple
authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced
searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations
of each source in terms of the specific task, purpose, and
audience; integrate information into the text selectively
to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and
overreliance on any one source and following a standard
format for citation.
W.11-12.9 Draw evidence from informational texts to
support analysis, reflection, and research.
W.11-12.10 Write routinely over extended time frames
(time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames
(a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of disciplinespecific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

Assessment Options:
W1- Literacy Common Core Power Standard: Writing Arguments
1

After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that argues your position on ____. Support your position with
evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing views, and give examples from past
or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.
1

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that argues your
position on the direction U.S. policies regarding international trade should take in the future.
Support your position with evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing
views, and give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your
position.

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that argues your
position on whether or not international trade and a global economy have had ultimately positive
or negative effects on the world. Support your position with evidence from your research. Be
sure to acknowledge competing views, and give examples from past or current events or issues
to illustrate and clarify your position.

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that argues your
position on whether Third World countries should adopt free trade or economic protectionism.
Support your position with evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing
views, and give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your
position.

[QUESTION] After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that addresses the question, and support your
position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing views. Give examples from
past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.
1

Example: What direction should U.S. policies regarding international trade take in the future?
After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that addresses the question,
and support your position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing
views. Give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.

Example: Have international trade and a global economy had ultimately positive or negative
effects on the world? After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that
addresses the question, and support your position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to
acknowledge competing views. Give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate
and clarify your position.

Example: Should Third World countries adopt free trade or economic protectionism? After
analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that addresses the question, and
support your position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing views.
Give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.

21st Century Geography

Unit 5

W2- Literacy Common Core Power Standard: Writing Informative Texts

1

After reading a variety of texts, write a ____ that defines ____ and explains ____. Support your discussion
with evidence from your research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?
1

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines free
trade and explains its causes and effects on the global and local economies. Support your
discussion with evidence from your research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines
international trade and explains how it can have both positive and negative effects on individual
countries. Support your discussion with evidence from your research. What conclusions or
implications can you draw?

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines
economic protectionism and explains its causes and effects on the global and local economies.
Support your discussion with evidence from your research. What conclusions or implications can
you draw?

[QUESTION] After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that defines ____ and explains ____. Support your
discussion with evidence from the texts. What conclusions or implications can you draw?
1

Example: What is free trade, and what are its causes and effects on the global and local
economies? After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines free
trade and explains its causes and effects on the global and local economies. Support your
discussion with evidence from the texts. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

Example: What is international trade, and how can it have both positive and negative effects on
individual countries? After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that
defines international trade and explains how it can have both positive and negative effects on
individual countries. Support your discussion with evidence from the texts. What conclusions or
implications can you draw?

Example: What is economic protectionism, and what are its causes and effects on the global and
local economies? After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that
defines economic protectionism and explains its causes and effects on the global and local
economies. Support your discussion with evidence from the texts. What conclusions or
implications can you draw?

R1/R10- Literacy Common Core Power Standards: Reading Closely Over Time with a Variety of Grade-Level
Texts

3
4
5
6
7
8
9

1
Historical texts (primary and secondary)
Religious texts
Legal texts
Philosophical texts
Literary texts
Artistic representations
Musical representations
Language study

21st Century Geography

Unit 5