Trade routes throughout West Africa

History

In this unit, pupils studied the economy and religion of 14th century West Africa. In 'Transatlantic Slavery: how were West African societies impacted?', pupils will explain how the Transatlantic Slave Trade had a profoundly disruptive effect on West African societies.

In '11th century Islamic worlds: how similar were the regions of the Islamic world?', pupils saw that Islamic states were established across parts of Asia, Europe and Africa. In this unit, pupils will understand that Islam spread to parts of West Africa and that successful Islamic states, such as the Mali Empire, were established there.

In this unit, pupils learn about the success of medieval Mali, with a focus on the second-order concept of causation. They build knowledge of the West African landscape and the role it played in Mali's rise. They will also learn about the rise of Islam in the region and Mansa Musa's pilgrimage.

Medieval West Africa: why was medieval Mali so successful?

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

What is the longest river in West Africa? It is over 2600 miles long.

a group of territories ruled over by one person or group of people

a dry region bordering the southern Sahara Desert

Match the keywords to their correct definitions.

Which desert can be found on the northern border of West Africa?

What were the most important trade items in the trans-Saharan trade?

How much of the gold in medieval Europe came from West Africa?

Complete the sentence: the first people to take full advantage of the trans-Saharan trade routes was the {{ }} Empire.

What was the main religion in the Middle East and North Africa during the Medieval period?

Complete the sentence: medieval Christians called the city of Jerusalem and its surrounding area the __________ land.

A group of countries ruled by a single person or government

A group of cities located in the same region

A city that breaks away from a country in order to rule itself

A city ruled by a country that is far away

Which definition best describes an empire?

The religion of Islam was revealed to which of the following?

Place these events into chronological order.

Complete the sentence: a follower of Islam is called a {{ }}.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Trade routes throughout West Africa

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.