Black History Month 2012 History and Geography Resource

Black History Month

The African continent contains two of the most recently created nations, South Sudan and Eritrea. The Caribbean has the first republic in the Caribbean and Latin America, established after a successful revolt against slavery.

Eritrea

Eritrea is the 7th newest country in the world, it gained its independence from Ethiopia on 24th May 1993.

Eritrea is thought to be part of part of what was known in Ancient Egypt as Punt. Eritrea was later part of the Ottoman Empire.

During the European Scramble for Africa Italy occupied the area known as Eritrea. It then became part of Italian East Africa along with part of Ethiopia and Italian Somalia. In 1941 when Britain occupied Eritrea there were more than 50, 000 Italians living there.

Britain continued its administration of Eritrea until 1951 when it became part of the Ethiopian federation. In the 1960s Eritrea began a struggle for independence and after thirty years of war Eritrea was recognised as a nation 1993. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13349078 http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Country_Specific/Eritrea.html

Which countries border Eritrea and what are their flags?

Eritrea has a long coastline, what is the name of the sea on that coastline?

What are some of the main physical features of Eritrea (e.g. mountains, rivers)?

Dominique Moore Advisory Teacher, EMTAS South Gloucestershire 1 Black History Month

Which countries are on the other side of that sea, what are their flags?

What is the official language of Eritrea? What other languages are spoken in Eritrea?

What is the population of Eritrea compared to the British population?

What how big is Eretria, how does that compare with Britain?

Is the population density greater or smaller in Eritrea compared to Britain?

In Britain most of the population lives in towns is this the same in Eritrea?

What is the climate of Eritrea?

Britain is a diverse society. Is Eritrea ethnically diverse, if so what are the main ethnic groups?

What are the main religions followed by Eritreans?

What kind of an economy does Eritrea have? Is it mostly industrial or agricultural? What are its main exports?

What are some of the main festivals or celebrations of Eritrea?

What is the popular music of Eritrea? Can you find examples on line that you like and could share in class or tutor group?

Can you find information about famous Eritreans?

What was the Scramble for Africa?

South Sudan

South Sudan, or the Republic of South Sudan, is the world’s newest country, it gained independence from Sudan on 9thJuly 2011.

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Sudan and South Sudan were once part of Egypt. For a while they were ruled jointly by Britain and Egypt. Sudan, with South Sudan a part of Sudan, gained independence in 1956.

The north of the country was predominantly Muslim with Arabic as the official language, the south was predominantly Christian. There was a long civil war between the north and south which ended with a referendum where more than 90% of people in the south voted for independence. The south was not entirely united, there were struggles between different groups.

The population of some eight million lives mostly in the countryside. The population is very diverse. The official language of South Sudan is English, there are more than 60 other languages spoken in South Sudan.

There is an area of South Sudan which is rich in oil, it is the subject of territorial dispute with Sudan. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/south-sudan

Which countries have borders with South Sudan and what are their flags?

What are some of the main physical features of South Sudan (e.g. rivers, mountains)?

What is the size of South Sudan compared to Britain?

Which has the larger landmass South Sudan or Britain?

What are the population densities of the two countries?

What kind of climate does South Sudan have?

What are the main crops grown in South Sudan?

What are the main African languages spoken in South Sudan?

What religions do people follow in South Sudan? Can you find any information about religions or beliefs you did not know about?

What are the main festivals or celebrations of South Sudan? How are these events celebrated?

Can you find any information about famous South Sudanese people?

What kind of music is popular in South Sudan? Can you find examples online that you could share in class or tutor group?

The Republic of Haiti

Haiti was the first independent nation in the region of the Caribbean and Latin America, it is the second oldest republic in the Americas gaining independence shortly after the United States.

The island was once populated by people called the Taino who called the island Ayiti. When Europeans first arrived in 1492 there was a large population of Tainos. In a period of about fifty years they were virtually all wiped out, either falling in battles resisting European colonisation or were killed by new diseases introduced by Europeans. Christopher Columbus claimed the island for the Spanish crown, and re-named the island Hispaniola. Enslaved Africans were brought to work on plantations. Pirates used

4 Black History Month the island as a base and some French colonist were attracted to the island. The western part of the island became a French colony in 1697. The land was very fertile and at the time of the French revolution income from the colony represented over half of all revenue from overseas. This wealth was acquired through the use of enslaved labour. There were many attempts at rebellion, these were put down with extreme brutality.

One rebellion did succeed because of the inspired leadership and highly effective tactical skills of the man who rose to lead the revolt, Toussaint l’Ouverture. He trained and organised an army of former slaves that defeated French, Spanish and British attempts to re-impose slavery and colonisation.

The country was declared independent from France in 1804 and was renamed Haiti. It was the first independent country in the Caribbean and Latin America, the second republic in the Americas and the first Black republic.

Which country has a border with Haiti? What is its flag and what languages are spoken there?

What are the main physical features of Haiti (e.g. rivers, mountains)?

Which islands are close to Haiti, what are their flags and which languages are spoken on those islands?

What are the main languages spoken in Haiti?

What are the religions practised in Haiti?

What are the main celebrations or festivals of Haiti? How are these events celebrated?

What kind of climate does Haiti have?

What are the main forms of popular music in Haiti? Can you find examples online to share in class or tutor group?

Haiti is known for a particular style of painting, what is the name of that style and can you find examples of Haitian art that you like? Share examples of the art in class or tutor group.

Can you find any information about famous Haitians?