How the Trans-Saharan Trade Shaped West Africa and Nigeria History JSS 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 4

Lesson Plan: Effects of the Trans-Saharan Trade on West Africa and Nigeria

Subject: History
Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Age: 13–14 years
Topic: Effects of the Trans-Saharan Trade on West Africa and Nigeria
Sub-topic: Positive and Negative Impacts on West African Societies
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Identify the economic, cultural, and social impacts of the Trans-Saharan trade.
2. Explain the spread of Islam and urbanization as a result of the trade.
3. Analyze the disadvantages of the trade, including the effects of slavery.
4. Relate the long-term impacts of the trade to modern Nigerian society.

Keywords

• Islam
• Urbanization
• Slavery
• Economic Growth
• Cultural Exchange

Set Induction

The teacher will ask students: “Have you ever wondered how products from faraway places like gold or salt reached ancient Nigerian cities?” This will lead to a discussion about the Trans-Saharan trade.

Entry Behavior

Students already know about the trade routes and commodities exchanged through the Trans-Saharan trade.

Learning Resources and Materials

• A map showing the major Trans-Saharan trade routes
• Images of goods like gold, salt, and leather traded through the routes
• Diagrams depicting cultural and economic changes

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge

The students previously discussed the organization of the trade and the trade routes. This lesson focuses on how the trade influenced the societies of West Africa, including Nigeria.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Collaboration
• Historical inquiry and analysis

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• “A History of West Africa” by Adu Boahen
• JSS 3 History Textbook

Instructional Materials

• Map of the Trans-Saharan trade routes
• Whiteboard and markers
• Visual timeline of the development of Nigerian cities

Content

A. Positive Effects of the Trans-Saharan Trade

1. Economic Growth:
   • Boosted the economies of cities like Kano, Borno, and Timbuktu.
   • Trade in gold, salt, and textiles brought wealth to merchants and rulers.
2. Introduction of Islam:
   • Islam spread from North Africa into West Africa through trade interactions.
   • Islamic education systems and law courts (Sharia) were introduced in some regions.
3. Urbanization and Development:
   • Trade led to the growth of cities such as Kano, Gao, and Timbuktu as commercial hubs.
   • These cities became centers of learning and Islamic scholarship.
4. Cultural Exchange:
   • There was an exchange of ideas, technologies, and art forms between North and West Africa.
   • Architecture in cities like Kano and Borno reflected North African influences.
5. Introduction of New Goods:
   • Horses, books, and new textiles were introduced to the region, enhancing trade and education.

B. Negative Effects of the Trans-Saharan Trade

1. The Slave Trade:
   • Many Africans were captured and sold into slavery, disrupting families and communities.
   • The population of some regions was significantly reduced.
2. Dependence on Trade:
   • Some regions became over-reliant on the trade, which made them vulnerable when trade routes declined.
3. Conflict over Trade Routes:
   • Rival states and kingdoms fought to control lucrative trade routes, leading to wars.
4. Loss of Indigenous Culture:
   • Islamic culture overshadowed some local traditions and practices.
5. Uneven Wealth Distribution:
   • While rulers and merchants amassed wealth, many common people remained impoverished.

15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions with Options

1. The Trans-Saharan trade introduced __________ to West Africa.
   a) Christianity
   b) Islam
   c) Hinduism
   d) Judaism
2. One of the main goods exported from West Africa was __________.
   a) Gold
   b) Coffee
   c) Silk
   d) Oil
3. The city of __________ became an important center of Islamic learning.
   a) Kano
   b) Paris
   c) London
   d) Rome
4. __________ were brought from North Africa to improve transportation and warfare.
   a) Camels
   b) Horses
   c) Elephants
   d) Boats
5. A key negative impact of the trade was the __________ trade.
   a) Textile
   b) Gold
   c) Slave
   d) Spice
6. Trade in gold and salt led to the growth of __________ in West Africa.
   a) Cities
   b) Forests
   c) Rivers
   d) Deserts
7. The introduction of __________ helped spread literacy in West Africa.
   a) Scrolls
   b) Books
   c) Tablets
   d) Coins
8. One disadvantage of the Trans-Saharan trade was __________ conflicts.
   a) Religious
   b) Agricultural
   c) Trade route
   d) Environmental
9. The __________ trade route connected Kano to Morocco.
   a) Fezzan
   b) Borno-Tripoli
   c) Gao
   d) Sudan
10. The Trans-Saharan trade caused __________ between local and Islamic traditions.
    a) Harmony
    b) Tension
    c) Isolation
    d) Abandonment

15 FAQs with Answers

1. What is the Trans-Saharan trade?
   It was trade across the Sahara Desert linking North and West Africa.
2. What was a major commodity exported from West Africa?
   Gold.
3. Which religion spread as a result of the trade?
   Islam.
4. Name one city that developed due to the trade.
   Kano.
5. What was the main mode of transportation used in the trade?
   Camels.
6. What was the negative social impact of the trade?
   The slave trade disrupted communities.
7. How did the trade affect West African cities?
   It led to urban growth and economic development.
8. What conflict arose from the trade?
   Wars over control of trade routes.
9. Which group benefited most from the wealth generated by the trade?
   Rulers and merchants.
10. How did the trade affect indigenous cultures?
    Some were overshadowed by Islamic practices.

Presentation

1. Step 1: Review the organization and trade routes of the Trans-Saharan trade.
2. Step 2: Discuss the positive and negative impacts of the trade.
3. Step 3: Engage students in a debate about whether the trade had more positive or negative effects.

Teacher’s Activities

• Use a map to highlight trade routes and major cities involved in the trade.
• Lead a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of the trade.

Learners’ Activities

• Participate in a debate on the impacts of the Trans-Saharan trade.
• Identify the lasting effects of the trade on modern Nigeria.

Assessment

• List two positive effects of the Trans-Saharan trade on West Africa.
• Mention two negative effects of the trade.
• Explain how the trade contributed to the spread of Islam in Nigeria.

10 Evaluation Questions

1. What was one major advantage of the Trans-Saharan trade?
2. Which religion spread through the trade?
3. Name one city that became a center of commerce due to the trade.
4. What was a key product imported from North Africa?
5. What negative effect did the slave trade have on communities?
6. How did the trade affect local cultures?
7. What conflicts arose from the trade?
8. Who benefited the most from the trade wealth?
9. What was the role of camels in the trade?
10. Name one modern-day Nigerian city influenced by the trade.

Conclusion

The teacher will summarize the main points, emphasizing both the positive and negative impacts of the Trans-Saharan trade on West Africa, including Nigeria.