Was West Africa civilised in the 16 th Century ? What does CIVILISED mean?

We think CIVILISED means………. Discuss in small groups what you think “civilised” means. Try to formulate a description that you are happy with. We think CIVILISED means……….

Using your definition; is this “civilised”?

What about this?

Or is this? Concentration Camp During World War II, German Nazis imprisoned about 7 to 8 million people, mostly European Jews, in 22 concentration camps. By 1945 they had murdered about 6 million of the inmates. Some were killed by firing squads, others died of starvation or as a result of experiments performed on them by German doctors and scientists, and most died in poison gas chambers. When Allied forces liberated the camps in 1945, they found them littered with thousands of unburied dead, and the majority of the survivors were suffering from disease or starvation. Archive Photos "Concentration Camp," Microsoft (R) Encarta. Copyright (c) 1993 Microsoft Corporation. Copyright (c) 1993 Funk & Wagnall's Corporation

We think CIVILISED means… Discuss in small groups what you think “civilised” means. Try to formulate a description that you are happy with. We think CIVILISED means…

Your task: Was Africa Civilised in the 16 th Century? Produce a display/poster answering the ‘key’ questions above. Research three West African tribes (Mali, Benin, Songhai) to gain evidence to support your answer. You will have to define what a civilised society would include – culturally, socially, politically, economically – and find information and examples to support your view. You will work in small groups so must decide how you will split the task and who will be responsible for the different elements of the task. The medium is a display poster so it must be clear and eye- catching. It will also (obviously) have to be historically correct. It may include images that are relevant to your research.

Was Africa Civilised in the 16 th Century? Introduction Your definition of “civilised”. (What do YOU think it means?) Information about West Africa in C16 th. Evidence to support your view. Conclusion (your answer)

Introduction  Here you need to say that most people in European countries thought that Africans were not civilized, and so it was acceptable to be make them slaves.  You also need to say what you are going to do in your presentation – either prove that Africa WAS civilised or that it was NOT.

Civilised means…….  Use the information you have gathered from your homework research and group discussions to define to your audience what you mean by “civilised”.  Say that you are going to use the information to examine West African nations and cultures during the 16 th Century.

Information about Africa  Use your research into Africa ’ s civilisations to support your argument.  Only include relevant details – leave out facts that do not help your argument.  Point out any similarities and differences between what were considered “civilised” countries and West African nations.

Conclusion  This is where you answer the question – Was West Africa a civilised place in the 1600 ’ s?  Remember what you have said in your argument – did you think it was or was not?  Try to sum up your argument and evidence in a few sentences.

Was Africa Civilised in the 16 th Century? Introduction Your definition of “civilised”. (What do YOU think it means?) Information about West Africa in C16 th. Evidence to support your view. Conclusion (your answer)