Trans-Saharan Trade
Free to teach as-is — the teacher guide, student handout, and slides are included.
Free — we'll email you an access link. Google Docs format.
Objective
I can analyze the economic and cultural impacts of the Trans-Saharan trade routes.
Part 1 of 4
Warm-up video
World History Encyclopedia · 6:19
We don't generate video — this one is by World History Encyclopedia on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.
Part 2 of 4
Key concepts
3 concepts
- 1
In ancient West Africa, salt was a precious commodity, sometimes literally worth its weight in gold, and traded for goods like ivory, hides, and copper.
- 2
The Berbers of North Africa used camel caravans to transport salt across the Sahara Desert, acting as middlemen between North and West Africa.
- 3
Empires like the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Empires controlled the salt trade, with mines like Taghaza and Taoudenni being major sources of salt.
Part 3 of 4
Practice
12 questions
What made salt such a valuable commodity in ancient West Africa?
Which group facilitated much of the early Trans-Saharan salt trade?
Part 4 of 4
Exit ticket
Quick comprehension check
“Describe two economic and one cultural impact of the Trans-Saharan trade routes on West African societies, based on the video.”
Sample answer included in the free materials
Get the materials
Teacher guide, student handout, and slides — free, in Google Docs format
Teacher Guide
Complete lesson plan with answer keys and alternate activities
Student Handout
Printable worksheet
Slides
Ready to present
We'll ask for your email to send your access link — nothing else.
Teaching a group at a different level?
Where are your students right now? We'll rebuild this lesson to match — including the teacher guide, student handout, and slides, saved to your Google Drive.
Adapt This Lesson