New
New
Year 9

History and legacy: Empires, borders and religion

I can explain how religion and historical empires have shaped the Middle East.

New
New
Year 9

History and legacy: Empires, borders and religion

I can explain how religion and historical empires have shaped the Middle East.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Judaism, Christianity and Islam began in the region.
  2. Empires shaped borders in the Middle East.
  3. Colonial rule created modern political borders.

Keywords

  • Judaism - the religion observed by many Jewish people, characterised by belief in one God and a religious life based on the Torah and the Talmud

  • Christianity - the religion followed by Christians, based on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ

  • Islam - the religion followed by Muslims, centred on the belief in one God, Allah, and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad

  • Empire - a group of countries or regions ruled by one leader or country

  • Colonialism - when one country takes control of all, or parts, of another country

Common misconception

Christianity is the oldest religion that originated in the Middle East.

Judaism is almost 2000 years older than Christianity.


To help you plan your year 9 geography lesson on: History and legacy: Empires, borders and religion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson requires sensitivity when taught as it touches on themes which are very controversial. There are possibilities for a more in-depth analysis of modern-day conflict and the implications on borders, however, the way this is taught will be influenced by each school's context.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their meanings:

Correct Answer:aquifer,A supply of underground water

A supply of underground water

Correct Answer:irrigation,Watering crops using controlled systems

Watering crops using controlled systems

Correct Answer:scarcity,Shortage of something needed

Shortage of something needed

Correct Answer:desalination,Removing salt from seawater

Removing salt from seawater

Q2.
Which of these rivers flows through the Middle East?

Amazon
Correct answer: Euphrates
Danube
Yangtze

Q3.
Which country in the Middle East relies heavily on desalination to meet its water needs?

Iran
Yemen
Correct answer: Saudi Arabia
Lebanon

Q4.
Which of these challenges makes water access difficult in the Middle East?

High rainfall
Abundant rivers
Correct answer: High temperatures and low rainfall
Many freshwater lakes

Q5.
How can irrigation help in dry areas?

It increases rainfall
It stores oil
Correct answer: It helps grow crops
It blocks sunlight

Q6.
Which of these countries has faced serious water shortages in recent years?

Norway
Correct answer: Yemen
Brazil
Germany

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their meanings:

Correct Answer:Judaism,A religion based on belief in one God and the Torah

A religion based on belief in one God and the Torah

Correct Answer:Christianity,A religion centred on Jesus Christ and his teachings

A religion centred on Jesus Christ and his teachings

Correct Answer:Islam,A religion based on Allah and the Prophet Muhammad

A religion based on Allah and the Prophet Muhammad

Correct Answer:Empire,A group of lands ruled by one power

A group of lands ruled by one power

Correct Answer:Colonialism,Taking control of another country’s land and people

Taking control of another country’s land and people

Q2.
Where did all three religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – begin?

Asia
Correct answer: The Middle East
Europe
South America

Q3.
Which of the following is an effect of colonialism in the Middle East?

End of religious conflict
Clear and agreed borders
Increase in rainfall
Correct answer: Lasting tensions over land and identity

Q4.
Some people think Christianity is the oldest religion from the Middle East. Which statement is most accurate?

Christianity came before Judaism
Correct answer: Judaism is the earliest of the three major religions
Islam is older than Judaism
All three started at the same time