Lesson

North Africa: History and Its Influence

Students get an overview of the history of ancient Egypt, focusing on the ancient Egyptians’ emphasis on the afterlife. Then they trace the more recent history of North Africa, from colonization to independence to today. Finally, students explore through writing what it might be like to reclaim a community after it has been colonized.

Preview the Lesson Back to Southwest Asia and North Africa

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Overview

In this experience, students get an overview of the history of ancient Egypt, focusing on the ancient Egyptians’ emphasis on the afterlife. Then they trace the more recent history of North Africa, from colonization to independence to today. Finally, students explore through writing what it might be like to reclaim a community after it has been colonized.

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.

Too often, people think of Africa as one uniform land mass rather than an enormous continent with a vast diversity of land, people, religions, and history. In this experience, you will zoom in on the history of the six countries that make up the unique region of North Africa.

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

Look carefully at the photo above. What does it tell you about the past and present? In a word or short phrase, share an idea with your classmates.

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North Africa has a long and complex history. Let’s look at a brief history of the country of Egypt by checking out Ancient Egypt. Focus on the first two sections, “History of Ancient Egypt” and “Early Dynastic Period.”

What significant developments happened during that timeframe?

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Settlement of the Nile Valley began. Two kingdoms united to form Egypt. The Egyptians developed hieroglyphic writing and built pyramids.

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