Lesson

Turkey to Afghanistan: History and Its Influence

Students explore the history of Afghanistan and Turkey, noting important events, people, and elements. Then they consider the role that geography has played in the countries’ histories. Finally, students do their own research to identify important events in the history of Iran and analyze the relationship between its geography and history.

Preview the Lesson Back to Southwest Asia and North Africa

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Overview:

In this experience, students explore the history of Afghanistan and Turkey, noting important events, people, and elements. Then they consider the role that geography has played in the countries’ histories. Finally, students do their own research to identify important events in the history of Iran and analyze the relationship between its geography and history.

In scenes 2 and 3, students will work in small groups.

Objectives:

Explain key events in the history of Turkey, Afghanistan, and Iran.
Describe the connection between the countries’ geography and their history.

In this experience, you will learn about important milestones in the countries of Turkey, Afghanistan, and Iran. You will also identify key connections between the countries’ histories and their geographical locations.

Objectives:

Explain key events in the history of Turkey, Afghanistan, and Iran.
Describe the connection between the countries’ geography and their history.

Look carefully at this photograph. It is an image of the city of Istanbul in the country of Turkey.

What is one fact you know about Istanbul? If you don’t know anything, write a question you have about it.

Blank response table with three columns.

Discuss students’ facts and questions together. Explain that Istanbul is an ancient city that has had several different names based on the empires that have controlled it. It was Byzantium during the Byzantine Empire; it was Constantinople during the Roman Empire; and it was renamed Istanbul during the Ottoman Empire, a name that has stayed with it until today.

Point out that Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents—both Europe and Asia.

Divide the class into their small groups. Assign each group a country—either Afghanistan or Turkey. Assign a reporter to upload the result for each group, or tell the students to choose their own reporter.

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

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