Africa and the Spread of Islam

7th Grade World History – 2nd grading period

 

Performance Assessments

 

Students may be required to complete one or more of the following assessments: geographical mapping activity, African travel brochure, PowerPoint presentation, multiple-choice test, historical fiction literature review

 

Grading Procedure

 

All students must pass with a “C” or better (70%) in their performance grade, or they will be placed in a second history class (CLM) to master the standards for the grading period.

 

A   Advanced Grade: Student demonstrates a clear understanding of the contributions of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire and the origins, beliefs and spread of Islam.  The student makes few mistakes, and applies social studies skills (mapping, timeline, research, interpretation, etc.) with confidence.  The student should be able to discuss the topics listed below.

 

B  Proficient Grade: Much understanding, some mistakes

 

      C   Basic Grade: Enough understanding to pass, despite mistakes

 

D   Below Basic Grade: Only sometimes shows understanding, many mistakes

 

F  Far Below Basic Grade: Rarely shows understanding, many mistakes

 

Topics to be covered in above assessments:

 

WORLD HISTORY

PRACTICE TESTS (OBJECTIVES)

For each unit of study

 

Use your History book ACROSS THE CENTURIES to answer these Objectives. If you are able to answer and understand these objectives, this will have shown that you have competency in each unit of study in 7th grade World History. You may also use these objectives as a means of studying for any test given per chapter or Unit of study.

 

Weeks 7-12

The Islamic Empire/Contributions of Islam/West Africa

Chapters 4-6

 

Ch. 4

1.                  Describe the growth of the Muslim Empire and the Umayyad rise to power

2.                  Identify the Umayyad system of government.

3.                  Analyze the impact of the Umayyad rule on Muslim culture and commerce.

4.                  Explain the decline of Umayyad control in the Eastern Muslim Empire.

5.                  Analyze the strengths of the Abbasid government

6.                  Describe the commercial wealth of Baghdad.

7.                  Summarize Abbasid achievements in art, literature, and science.

8.                  Explain the decline and eventual demise of the Abbasid Empire.

9.                  Explain the success of the Umayyads in unifying Spain under Muslim rule.

10.              Assess Cordoba's position as the cultural and intellectual center of the Muslim West.

11.              Describe the decline of the Muslim state in Spain.

 

Ch. 5

 

1.                  Identify the major land regions in West Africa.

2.                  Explain the significance of the Nok Iron Age.

3.                  Evaluate the importance of the trade to Jenne-Jeno.

4.                  Identify what made Ghana a successful trading empire.

5.                  Explain why Koumbi was divided into two sections.

6.                  Evaluate the effects of the Muslim Arab traders of Ghana.

7.                  Summarize the events that led to Ghana's downfall.

8.                  Evaluate the geographic and political factors that made Mali a great empire.

9.                  Assess the impact and economic significance of the adoption of Islam.

10.              Analyze the factors that made Songhai a trading empire.

11.              Identify the major cause of Songhai's decline.

12.              Demonstrate how West African farmers adapted to their land and climate.

13.              List components of West African religions.

14.              Describe the government of rural African villages.

 

Ch. 6

1.                  Assess the impact of geography on the movement of early peoples in central and southern Africa

2.                  Explore how the study of languages can be used to improve our understanding of the past.

3.                  Describe how the Bantu speakers diversified as they came into contact with other African Cultures.

4.                  Analyze the effect of the monsoon winds on the development of trade in East Africa. Describe the contacts among international cultures in the coastal trading of East Africa.

5.                  Summarize the reasons behind the prosperity and decline of the East African trading centers.

6.                  Use historical evidence to characterize the early people of Zimbabwe.

7.                  Assess the effect of gold mining on the economy and politics of Zimbabwe.

8.                  Describe the events that occurred during the breakup of Zimbabwe.

9.                  Describe the origins of the Kongo Kingdom.

10.              Assess the impact of the Portuguese on the Kongo economy.

11.              Explain how the Portuguese slave trade caused civil war in Kongo.

 

 

Important terms/concepts to review with your child:

 

Umayyads – rise and fall of empire

Bureaucracy

Islamic advancements (inventions, etc…)

Abbasid

Spread of Islam to Spain

Geographical features of Africa

Mali Empire

Ghana Empire

Kongo Kingdom

Songhai  Empire

Kinship

Describe village life and culture in West Africa

African language

Zimbabwe

Compare/contrast different African Empires

 

Having trouble remembering what these topics are?  Visit the following websites:

 

African Voices
http://www.mnh.si.edu/africanvoices/

 

Ghana - Civilizations in Africa
http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CIVAFRCA/CIVAFRCA.HTM

 

African Sourcebook
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/africa/africasbook.html

 

Mali
http://www.xula.edu/~jrotondo/Kingdoms/Mali/MaliHistNarr.htm

 

The Umayyads, the First Muslim Dynasty
http://www.princeton.edu/~batke/itl/denise/umayyads.htm

 

Kanuni Sultan Suleyman (Suleyman the Magnificent)
http://www.osmanli700.gen.tr/english/sultans/10index.html