the Sahel is a dry region bordering the southern Sahara Desert

Mansa is the word used in the kingdom of Mali to refer to the ruler

to be devout is to show strong religious commitment

oral tradition is a form of communication where ideas and knowledge are shared by word of mouth

a caravan is a group of merchants travelling together on a long journey through a desert

The kingdoms of the Sahel

History

The arrival of European traders in West Africa

The structure of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

The expansion of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

British involvement in Transatlantic Slave Trade

The impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade on West African society

In this unit, pupils analysed the effects of transatlantic slavery on West African societies. In ‘The Haitian Revolution: what was its role in the abolition of the slave trade?’, pupils will investigate how the Haitian Revolution challenged and contributed to the fight against slavery.

In ‘Medieval West Africa: why was medieval Mali so successful?’, pupils explored the economic and social structures that contributed to Mali’s prosperity. In this unit, pupils examine how West African societies like Mali were devastated by the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

In this unit, pupils learn about the kingdoms of the Sahel and how the arrival of European traders in the region began to destabilise West Africa. Pupils build a deep knowledge of Transatlantic Slavery whilst retaining a focus on the impacts it had in West Africa.

Transatlantic Slavery: how were West African societies impacted?

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

a dry region bordering the southern Sahara Desert

the word used in the Kingdom of Mali to refer to the ruler

when ideas and knowledge are shared by word of mouth

a group of merchants on a long journey through the desert

Match the words with the correct definitions.

What word describes someone who shows strong religious commitment?

writing lots of books about the Mali kingdom

Which of the following best explains what Mansa Musa is remembered for?

How many royal servants did Mansa Musa take with him on his pilgrimage to Mecca?

caravans were attacked by thieves and robbers

caravans were attacked by opposing kingdoms

Which of the following were major problems in the Sahel?

What have historians focused on in the absence of written records about some West African kingdoms?

Where in the world would you find the Kingdom of Mali?

When European explorers and merchants arrived in West Africa in the 1400s, what did they plan to do?

Which of the following kingdoms were located in West Africa?

Which religion was spreading from the Middle East to West Africa in the 13th and 14th centuries?

Trading expensive goods for less valuable goods

Keeping control of valuable areas, like gold mines

Sharing control of valuable areas, like gold mines

Building and maintaining trade routes across several continents

Resisting trade with other kingdoms and groups of merchants

Which of the following explains what makes a kingdom stronger?

West African communities come together to form small states.

Some small states come together to form kingdoms in West Africa.

Kingdoms grow richer from controlling gold mines and trade in the area.

Europeans hear of rich West African kingdoms.

European merchants arrive in West Africa to trade.

Put these events in chronological order, starting with the earliest.

Starter Quiz