## Lesson Plan: Empires in Western Sudan and the Scramble for Partition of Africa
### Grade Level: Senior Secondary 3
### Subject: History
### Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
### Topic: Empires in Western Sudan and the Scramble for Partition of Africa
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### Learning Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Identify and describe the key empires in Western Sudan.
2. Explain the economic, political, and cultural contributions of these empires.
3. Understand the concept of the Scramble for Africa and the key events that drove the partitioning of Africa.
4. Analyze the impact of the partition on African societies.
### Materials:
- Projector and computer with internet access
- Whiteboard and markers
- Printed handouts with key points and timelines
- Map of Africa showing pre-colonial empires and colonial boundaries
- Videos/documentaries on the Scramble for Africa (optional)
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### Lesson Outline:
**I. Introduction (10 minutes)**
- Greet students and take attendance.
- Briefly introduce the day's topic and outline the learning objectives.
- Display a map of Africa on the projector highlighting the Western Sudan region and various historical empires.
**II. Empires in Western Sudan (30 minutes)**
- **Lecture (15 minutes)**
- Discuss major empires such as the Ghana Empire, Mali Empire, and Songhai Empire.
- Highlight their founding, apex, and decline.
- Explain their governance structures, military prowess, and cultural achievements.
- Emphasize notable figures like Sundiata Keita, Mansa Musa, and Askia the Great.
- **Activity: Group Discussion (15 minutes)**
- Divide students into small groups.
- Each group will be given a specific empire to discuss and summarize its key aspects.
- Each group presents their findings to the class in 3-minute presentations.
**III. The Scramble for Africa (40 minutes)**
- **Lecture (20 minutes)**
- Define and explain the Scramble for Africa and the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885.
- Discuss European motivations: economic interests, competition for territory, and the “civilizing mission”.
- Explain the impact on African political structures and societies, using specific examples.
- **Video Clip/Documentary (Optional) (10 minutes)**
- Show a brief video or documentary excerpt highlighting the Scramble for Africa and the outcomes of the Berlin Conference.
**IV. Analyzing the Impact (20 minutes)**
- **Activity: Role Play (20 minutes)**
- Assign roles to students representing different stakeholders (European powers, African leaders, merchants, common citizens).
- Students will simulate a debate/conference discussing the impact of European partitioning on African societies.
- After the role play, facilitate a discussion on how the partition affected political boundaries, economies, and societies.
**V. Conclusion (10 minutes)**
- Recap the key points discussed in the lesson.
- Engage students with a few open-ended questions to reflect on what they have learned.
- Answer any questions students might have.
- Provide a brief overview of the next lesson.
**VI. Homework Assignment:**
- Ask students to write a 2-page essay on the following topic: "Compare and contrast the impact of the Mali Empire and the European partition on the economic development of Western Sudan."
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### Assessment:
- Participation in group discussions and activities.
- Quality of presentations.
- Engagement during the role play.
- Quality and depth of the homework essay.
### Additional Notes:
- Ensure all students understand the significance of historical events discussed and their long-term impact.
- Encourage critical thinking and connect historical events to present-day Africa.