This article reports the results of a study about the factors that affect social studies development in Jordan's secondary schools. An evaluation of data obtained within the limitations of this study relative to the development of social studies education, in particular, and education, in general, indicates that the principle of the Great Arab Revolt and Palestinian problems has affected general social, educational, and political conditions in the modern Jordanian State. Analysis of information indicated that little prospect for major development of the Jordan social studies curriculum exists for the immediate future. This is because political and cultural influences have made such development very selective and controlled. It also reveals that the lack of social philosophy in the area of citizenship education could put social studies education on the back burner. An overall analysis of data reveals that some factors in Jordanian culture are considered hindrances to the development of social studies education and the adoption of the new teaching approaches. These include: (1) lack of understanding of the nature of social studies education; (2) the bias in the favor of natural science and linguistic studies at all level of public education over social studies education courses; (3) the shortage of well-trained social studies teachers; (4) the political system's work against the full development of the social studies education curriculum; and (5) the fact that economic opportunity is against social studies education. The results of this study suggest that social studies curriculum in Jordan's secondary schools should be re-examined, re-evaluated, and revised.