The continent of Africa was changed beyond recognition by the European slave trade. The centuries long process intensified existing conflict between African nations and created new ones. To understand the slave trade is to understand the diversity and complexity of the African continent and the destructive and destabilising effect of European money and weapons.
How did the Igbo resist the slave trade?
This lesson offers a close examination of one African society and how they strategised and organised to resist slave raids and slave traders. It is a standalone single lesson, that will enhance understanding of African history and encourage learners to think about resistance from the point of enslavement in West Africa.
How similar were West African Nations between 1770 and 1807?
This series of lessons allows learners to compare two African societies – the Kingdom of Nri (an Igbo state), and Asante. Learners will understand the culture, beliefs and politics of these societies. An extension lesson explores the history of another state, Dahomey. In addition to slides, there are printable maps.
What influenced the development of Africa in the 18th Century?
This series of four lessons begins by looking at West Africa before the European slave trade, Lesson 2 looks at the impact in general terms, before the final two lessons look at specific case studies of Igbo (Lesson 3) and Lagos (Lesson 4).
What were the social, economic and political conditions of West African societies prior to the slave trade?
How did the trade in enslaved African people impact West African social, political, and economic conditions?
How did Igbo communities respond to the Trade in Enslaved African People?
Why did Lagos become such an important port for the trade in enslaved African people?
What kinds of relationships did African nations have with Europeans in the Middle Ages?
This lesson introduces trade and cultural relationships between African and European societies in the Middle Ages. Using visual and material culture evidence, learners can explore how the two continents influenced each other before the advent and growth of the trade in enslaved African people.
Women Soldiers in Africa
These lessons, look at the role of women warriors in two Atlantic spaces: Dahomey, West Africa and Haiti in the Caribbean. Lesson 1 contains a timeline activity on the Agoji women’s army. Lesson 2 is also stand alone, looking at women’s military roles in the Haitian Revolution (but also makes a direct link to one Agoji fighter who operated in both spaces).