**Lesson Plan: Military Intervention in African Politics**
**Subject:** History
**Grade Level:** Senior Secondary 3
**Topic:** Military Intervention in African Politics
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### Lesson Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Define military intervention and understand its implications.
2. Identify and discuss key instances of military intervention in African politics.
3. Analyze the causes and consequences of military interventions in different African countries.
4. Debate the role and impact of the military in African political systems.
### Materials Needed:
- Projector and laptop
- Internet Access
- Whiteboard and markers
- Textbooks and Supplementary Reading Materials
- Handouts with case studies
- Videos/documentaries on military coups in Africa
### Lesson Duration:
2 class periods (approximately 45 minutes each)
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### Lesson Outline:
#### **Day 1: Introduction and Background**
1. **Introduction (10 minutes)**
- Greet the students and introduce the topic.
- Briefly discuss what military intervention means and why it is significant in the context of African politics.
2. **Background Information (15 minutes)**
- Present a short lecture on the history of military interventions in Africa.
- Discuss common characteristics of military coups and interventions.
- Highlight key historical contexts leading to military rule post-independence.
3. **Case Studies Overview (15 minutes)**
- Introduce a few key cases such as:
- Nigeria (1966 coups, 1975, and later instances)
- Ghana (1966 coup leading to several others)
- Uganda (1971 coup leading to Idi Amin's rule)
- Sudan (1989 coup by Omar al-Bashir)
- Provide a brief timeline for each case.
4. **Group Work Assignment (5 minutes)**
- Divide students into groups.
- Assign each group a specific case study to research further.
- Distribute handouts with guiding questions and pointers for each case study.
#### **Day 2: Analysis and Discussion**
1. **Group Presentations (20 minutes)**
- Have each group present their findings.
- Encourage them to discuss the causes, conduct, and consequences of their assigned military intervention.
- Prompt them to use multimedia tools if available (slides, videos, etc.).
2. **Class Discussion (15 minutes)**
- Facilitate a discussion on the patterns observed in various interventions.
- Ask questions such as:
- What were the common triggers for these interventions?
- How did the military leaders justify their actions?
- What were the short-term and long-term impacts on their countries?
3. **Debate: Military Role in Politics (10 minutes)**
- Divide the class into two teams for a debate: "The military should never intervene in political processes" vs. "There are circumstances where military intervention is justified."
- Allow each side to present their arguments and rebuttals.
4. **Conclusion and Homework Assignment (5 minutes)**
- Summarize key points discussed.
- Assign a reflective essay on the impact and legacy of military interventions on contemporary African politics. Prompt the students to think critically about whether any positive outcomes emerged and how current political systems are influenced by past interventions.
### Assessment:
- Group Presentation (30%)
- Classroom Participation and Engagement in Discussions (20%)
- Reflective Essay (50%)
### Additional Resources:
- **Books:**
- "Africa's Third Liberation: The New Search for Prosperity and Jobs" by Greg Mills and Jeffrey Herbst
- "The Military and Politics in Africa" by George Klay Kieh Jr.
- **Videos/Documentaries:**
- "Coup D'État: Understanding Africa's History of Military Coups"
- "An African Journey with Jonathan Dimbleby" (BBC series)
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This structured lesson plan aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding military intervention in African politics, encouraging them to think critically about history's impact on present-day governance.