Africa

This unit examines the history, types of governments and economies as well as the diversity of cultures of the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. Students will examine how physical/political geography and historical events from the slave trade, colonialism and political independence have influenced the development of the governments, economies, and cultures of African societies. Students describe and compare specific countries, their histories, cultures, and the effects of specific events on their present-day governments, economies, and societies.

Unit Essential Questions:

Where did human life begin?
Why does Africa attract so many outsiders - both historically and presently?
How has the abundance of natural resources impacted African people and the economy?
How has the history of colonization and independence affect the people and governments in Africa today?
How are African nations beginning to overcome the challenges of invasion, colonization, and slavery?

Important Vocabulary for this Unit

apartheid: In South Africa, apartheid was the legal separation of white South Africans and black South Africans. Separation included schools, public areas, restrooms, etc.

Nelson Mandela worked to end apartheid in South Africa through primarily peaceful ways.

cash crops: Agricultural products that are grown to be sold for money.

civil war: When a country goes to war against itself- ex people fighting the government or people of a country fighting each other. A war between citizens of the same country.

Sierra Leon and Sudan are examples of countries that have had a civil war in Africa.

desertification: When good land becomes non-fertile (can’t grow stuff) and dry. Usually this happens because of drought, deforestation or bad agricultural practices.

Desertification in Africa is being combated by individuals and organizations through tree planting campaigns.

developing nation (country): A lesser economically developed country aka poorer. A country and people that have less, but is in the process of trying to get more.

Signs- many people don’t stay in school, poor quality/limited access to health care, limited access to technology, typically lower wages for workers.

dialects: a particular form of a language that is specific to a certain region or social group

diversity: Different. Different races, religions, languages, life experiences, preferences.

African countries are diverse; and, each country is rich with diverse cultures, languages, ethnic groups, resources, and geography.

drought: Not enough rain, water supply isn’t enough for the people live in the area.

exploited: make full use of and get benefit from (a resource), to use for personal gain

Islam: The second largest major world religion (belief system). Islam is mostly practiced in the Middle East/North Africa and southeast Asia.

The followers of Islam are called Muslims.

literacy rate: The percentage (%) of a population within a country that are literate (can read and write)

Although African nations struggle with literacy rates, Azerbaijan, Latvia, and Cuba have the top three highest literacy rates in the world.

malaria: a disease caused by mosquitoes.

malnutrition/ malnourishment: lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does eat.

Many of Africa's developing nations struggle with malnutrition.

poverty: being poor, poorness

segregation: to keep apart

Due to racist ideas, often black Africans were segregated from white Africans.

township: in South Africa) a suburb or city of predominantly black occupation, formerly officially designated for black occupation by apartheid legislation.

underdeveloped nation (country): a poor country, with few factories or strong business. A country where most people suffer.

In underdeveloped countries, very little money is spent on education, health care, and growing industry.

massacre,

Afrikaners,

endangered,

extinct,

AIDS,

gorge,

basin,

griot,

passive resistance,

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