Trans-Saharan Slave Trade: Impact on Africa
Created byElizabeth Davis
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Trans-Saharan Slave Trade: Impact on Africa

Grade 7Social Studies3 days
This project explores the profound impact of the trans-Saharan slave trade on African societies. Students investigate the trade's influence on the rise and fall of empires, the reshaping of social and economic structures, and the development of cultural identities and resistance movements. Through research, biographical narratives, and critical analysis, students examine the lasting consequences of the slave trade on Africa's global relationships.
Trans-Saharan Slave TradeAfrican EmpiresCultural IdentityResistance MovementsGlobal RelationshipsSocial StructuresEconomic Impact
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How did the trans-Saharan slave trade reshape the political, economic, and social landscape of African societies, contributing to both the rise and fall of empires, and influencing cultural identities and resistance movements, ultimately impacting Africa's global relationships?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How did the trans-Saharan slave trade impact the political, economic, and social structures of African societies?
  • In what ways did the slave trade contribute to the growth and decline of empires in West and Central Africa?
  • How did the experiences of enslaved Africans shape their cultural identities and resistance movements?
  • What were the long-term consequences of the trans-Saharan slave trade on Africa's relationship with the rest of the world?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to analyze the causes and consequences of the trans-Saharan slave trade, including its impact on African societies, empires, and global relationships.

State Standards

Standard 1
Primary
Empires in Africa and Asia grew as commercial and cultural centers along trade routes.Reason: This standard directly relates to the project's focus on the trans-Saharan trade routes and their impact on the growth of empires.
Standard 2
Primary
The advent of the trans-Saharan slave trade had profound effects on both West and Central Africa and the receiving societies.Reason: This standard is central to the project's investigation of the trans-Saharan slave trade and its impact on African societies.
Standard 3
Secondary
European economic and cultural influence dramatically increased through explorations, conquests and colonization.Reason: While not the primary focus, this standard provides context for understanding later periods of African history and the impact of external forces.
Standard 4
Supporting
The Columbian exchange (i.e., the exchange of fauna, flora and pathogens) among previously unconnected parts of the world reshaped societies in ways still evident today.Reason: This standard offers a comparative framework for understanding the exchange of goods and people across different regions, but is not directly related to the trans-Saharan slave trade.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

The Puzzle of the Sahara

Students encounter a fragmented map of Africa and a collection of unfamiliar artifacts (replica cowrie shells, salt slabs, gold dust). They must piece together the map and deduce the significance of the artifacts, sparking curiosity about the trade routes and the valuable commodities exchanged across the Sahara.

A Day in Koumbi Saleh

Students are immersed in a simulated bustling marketplace of ancient Koumbi Saleh. Through role-playing as merchants, traders, and storytellers, they experience firsthand the vibrant cultural exchange and economic activity that existed alongside the slave trade.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Whispers of the Desert: Untold Stories

Students will research and create biographical narratives of individuals impacted by the trans-Saharan slave trade, representing diverse perspectives such as enslaved people, merchants, and rulers.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research the different roles and experiences of people involved in the trans-Saharan slave trade (e.g., enslaved Africans, merchants, rulers).
2. Choose two to three individuals to focus on and gather information about their lives and experiences.
3. Write biographical narratives that bring these individuals to life, incorporating historical details and emotional impact.
4. Consider incorporating primary source excerpts or oral histories to enrich the narratives.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collection of biographical narratives that offer diverse perspectives on the human impact of the trans-Saharan slave trade.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with Standard 2 (The advent of the trans-Saharan slave trade had profound effects on both West and Central Africa and the receiving societies) by exploring the human impact of the slave trade.
Activity 2

Echoes Across Time: The Legacy of the Slave Trade

Students will analyze the long-term impacts of the trans-Saharan slave trade on African societies and their relationship with the rest of the world, examining its contribution to the rise and fall of empires and its influence on later periods of African history.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Investigate the impact of the slave trade on the political landscape of Africa, including the rise and fall of kingdoms and empires.
2. Analyze the social and cultural changes brought about by the slave trade, such as shifts in demographics and cultural practices.
3. Explore the connection between the trans-Saharan slave trade and later periods of African history, including European colonization.
4. Develop an argument about the long-term consequences of the slave trade and support it with evidence from your research.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn analytical essay or presentation exploring the lasting consequences of the trans-Saharan slave trade.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with Standard 2 by investigating the social and political consequences of the slave trade, and with Standard 3 (European economic and cultural influence dramatically increased through explorations, conquests and colonization) by examining the connection between the trans-Saharan trade and later European involvement in Africa.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Trans-Saharan Slave Trade Exploration Rubric

Category 1

Historical Analysis

Evaluating students' ability to research and interpret historical events and their impacts.
Criterion 1

Research Depth

Quality and depth of research conducted on historical figures and events.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts thorough research using a variety of primary and secondary sources, demonstrating sophisticated understanding.

Proficient
3 Points

Conducts adequate research using relevant sources, demonstrating solid understanding.

Developing
2 Points

Conducts limited research with basic sources, demonstrating emerging understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Conducts minimal research, using few sources, demonstrating initial understanding.

Criterion 2

Historical Accuracy

Accuracy in representing historical events and figures in narratives.

Exemplary
4 Points

Narratives are consistently accurate and based on credible historical evidence.

Proficient
3 Points

Narratives are mostly accurate with minor factual inaccuracies.

Developing
2 Points

Narratives contain several factual inaccuracies.

Beginning
1 Points

Narratives are inaccurate and lack credible evidence.

Category 2

Narrative Creation

Evaluating the quality and engagement of student narratives in conveying historical experiences.
Criterion 1

Engagement and Creativity

Ability to engage the audience through creative and compelling narrative writing, incorporating historical details.

Exemplary
4 Points

Narratives are highly engaging, creative, and effectively use historical details to evoke a vivid story.

Proficient
3 Points

Narratives are engaging, with good use of historical details that effectively support the story.

Developing
2 Points

Narratives show some engagement and creativity, but with inconsistent use of historical details.

Beginning
1 Points

Narratives lack engagement and creativity, with minimal use of historical details.

Category 3

Critical Examination

Assessing students' ability to critically analyze and draw connections between historical events and their long-term impacts.
Criterion 1

Argument Development

The strength and coherence of the argument regarding the slave trade's long-term impacts.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents a well-developed, coherent argument with strong evidence and critical insight.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents a clear argument with adequate evidence and reasonable insight.

Developing
2 Points

Presents a basic argument with limited evidence and insight.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents a vague or incoherent argument with little to no evidence.

Criterion 2

Connection to Contemporary Issues

Ability to link historical impacts of the slave trade to current global relationships and issues.

Exemplary
4 Points

Consistently draws insightful connections between historical and contemporary issues.

Proficient
3 Points

Draws clear connections between historical and contemporary issues.

Developing
2 Points

Attempts to draw connections with limited clarity.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to draw connections between historical and contemporary issues.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on the process of researching and writing the biographical narratives for "Whispers of the Desert." What challenges did you encounter, and how did you overcome them?

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Question 2

How did creating these narratives deepen your understanding of the human impact of the trans-Saharan slave trade?

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Question 3

In "Echoes Across Time," you explored the long-term consequences of the slave trade. How did this research challenge your previous understanding of African history?

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Question 4

What ethical considerations did you encounter when researching and writing about such a sensitive topic, and how did you address them?

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Question 5

On a scale of 1 to 5, how effectively do you feel you met the learning goals of this project? Explain your rating.

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