Students watch a short video of how malaria affected the colonization of Africa and brainstorm other diseases that have impacted world history. Then they examine various independence movements across Africa. Next they analyze how South Africa and Zimbabwe had a different colonial experience, and they compare and contrast it to the colonization of Kenya. Finally they analyze how the short history of Biafra reflects arbitrary borders drawn by European colonizers.
Students read an introduction explaining how most of Africa was under European colonial control into the twentieth century and review the lesson objectives. They learn how malaria initially limited European colonization of sub-Saharan Africa, then watch Herbs And Empires: A Brief History Of Malaria Drugs to see how medical advances changed that pattern. Students respond to a word cloud prompt by naming another disease that has significantly impacted world history and prepare to explain their choice.
Teacher MovesUse the overview to frame the experience and highlight the objectives. Review student word cloud responses, drawing out examples such as smallpox, bubonic plague, Spanish influenza, or COVID, and prompt students to connect these diseases to major historical changes.
Students view an image of Africa in 1870, then read Exploring Africa to gain an overview of African resistance, nationalism, and independence. As they read, they complete a graphic organizer by taking notes on early resistance to colonialism, interwar demands for equity and inclusion, nationalism and independence, and struggles for national liberation. They then examine the Chronological List of African Independence to see when different countries gained independence, and read background text on Liberia as an early independent African republic. Students answer multiple-choice questions about who was most likely to demand opportunity and inclusion and how World War II and the postwar period contributed to African nationalism, and complete a fill-in-the-blank activity about early independent countries, Nelson Mandela, and religious opposition.
Teacher MovesAsk students whether it surprises them that many African countries only began gaining independence around 1960, and discuss their reactions. Use familiar events from around 1960 to emphasize how recent decolonization is. Clarify key ideas from the reading—such as different forms of opposition and the role of World War II—and use student responses in the organizer and questions to surface understandings and misconceptions for brief follow-up discussion.
Students read about colonization in three African countries using South African history, Zimbabwe (from “The Ndebele Kingdom”), and About Kenya History. They then complete a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the colonial experiences of South Africa and Zimbabwe with that of Kenya, noting similarities and differences in settlement patterns, racial policies, and economic exploitation. Finally, they complete a fill-in-the-blank activity about apartheid and the former name of Zimbabwe.
Teacher MovesGuide students in distinguishing between settler colonies like South Africa and Zimbabwe and other European colonies such as Kenya, emphasizing how white settler power and racial discrimination shaped politics and independence struggles.
Students read background text on Nigeria’s independence, its ethnically diverse population, and the Ibo-led attempt to form the breakaway state of Biafra. They then read What Ever Happened to Biafra? to learn about the Biafran War and its outcome. Using a collaborative wall, students respond to a prompt explaining how borders drawn by European colonizers affected nations after independence, citing evidence from Biafra and other examples.
Teacher MovesHighlight and share interesting or exemplary student responses from the wall to spark discussion. Explain how arbitrary colonial borders grouped together diverse languages, religions, ethnicities, and political traditions, creating governance challenges, conflicts, and ongoing instability in parts of Africa and Asia.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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