Engage

Overview

In this experience, students examine major developments in North African history, beginning with ancient Egypt and the ways its society expressed beliefs through religion, government, and cultural practices. They then trace later historical changes across North Africa, including empire, colonization, independence, and political developments after independence. Finally, students analyze how events from different periods continue to influence North African societies today.

In scene 3, students will work in small groups. There should be at least six groups to cover the six countries of Northern Africa.

Objectives:

Trace the development of ancient Egyptian civilization, including its religion and writing system
Describe the colonization of North Africa, its independence, and its current political systems

North Africa has been home to many different societies, kingdoms, empires, religions, and cultural traditions over thousands of years. Its location along the Mediterranean Sea, beside the Sahara, and near Southwest Asia helped connect the region to trade routes, migrations, invasions, and the spread of new ideas.

The countries of North Africa share some historical experiences, but they did not all develop in the same way. Indigenous Amazigh communities, ancient Egyptian civilization, Phoenician and Roman influence, the spread of Christianity and Islam, Arab migration, Ottoman rule, European colonization, and independence movements all shaped different parts of the region at different times.

These historical changes affected language, religion, government, culture, and relationships among the countries of North Africa.

In this experience, you will trace major turning points in the history of North Africa and examine how past events continue to influence the region today.

Objectives:

Trace the development of ancient Egyptian civilization
Describe the colonization of North Africa, its independence, and its current political systems

tall archways in the foreground and shorter buildings in the background

What does this image suggest about the ways history can remain part of a place long after a civilization has changed?

Post your answer

Invite students to share the clues they noticed in the image and explain what those clues suggest about the relationship between past and present. Encourage them to move beyond simply identifying old and new buildings and instead think about what it means for evidence of earlier societies to remain part of a modern place.

Use the discussion to introduce the idea that history can influence a region long after a particular empire, government, or civilization has changed.

Possible follow-up questions include:

Why might people preserve structures from earlier civilizations?
How can old buildings, roads, monuments, or ruins continue to shape a modern city?
What might these remains reveal about the people who lived there before?
How could past civilizations influence the culture, identity, or economy of a place today?
What kinds of historical influences would you expect to find across North Africa?
As you study the region, what evidence would help you decide whether an earlier civilization still influences life there today?

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

North Africa: History and Its Influence