African Empires and Kingdoms Webquest

Many students enter World History classrooms unable to name a single African Empire other than the Egyptian Empire. They often hold stereotypes of pre-colonial African societies as having been small, violent, technologically deprived, poor, quaint people who were tragically destined to be dominated by more “civilized” European groups. This webquest is designed to debunk those impressions as it familiarizes students with the grandeur of the Ghana, Mali, Songhai, Aksum, and Zimbabwe civilizations. Students will witness first-hand the economic, technological, and educational advantages these empires often had in comparison to Europe during the same time periods. Students also enjoy learning about the unique Ethiopian Orthodox form of Christianity that grew out of the Aksum tradition including its fascinating teachings about the Queen of Sheba (Zimbabwe has some too) and its possession of what followers believe is the Ark of the Covenant (holding the original stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments). The webquest guides students through four websites and also has them watch four brief video clips. There are 50 fully editable questions so you can customize the exercise for themes you emphasize in your class.

INCLUDED IN THIS LESSON:

➢ Fully Editable Student Webquest Handout
➢ Complete Answer Key
➢ Links to Four Brief but Fascinating Videos

FOR POWERFUL LESSONS ON SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIAL PHILOSOPHIES THAT LED EUROPEANS TO ENSLAVE AFRICANS, PLEASE PREVIEW:

SLAVERY TO MODERN RACISM HIGH SCHOOL BUNDLE

FOR OTHER LESSONS ON AFRICA OR AFRICAN CULTURE, PLEASE CONSIDER:

AFRICAN CULTURE: MUSIC AND DANCE
AFRICAN DILEMMA TALES: CULTURE OF AFRICA
AFRICAN PROVERBS: CULTURE OF AFRICA
AFRICAN RIDDLES: CULTURE OF AFRICA

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