Nebraska Studies
Nebraska Studies: African American Settlers
This presents an overview of African Americans moving and settling in the West.
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: Grade 6 Social Studies: West African Kingdoms
Students develop and express claims through discussions and writing which examine the impact of relationships between ideas, people, and events across time and place. To accomplish this, they recognize recurring themes and patterns in...
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania: French in West Africa
This site has historical information about West Africa and the French colonial presence in the 19th and 20th Centuries.
University of Iowa
University of Iowa: Diffusion in the History of African States
Click on "Asante," for a description of African states during this political transition. Links to related information.
Other
Read Works: West Africa: Introduction to West Africa [Pdf]
An informational text about the history of West Africa. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Scholastic
Scholastic History Mystery: West African Kingdoms: Mansa Musa
Students try to guess the mystery subject Carlotta Facts, the History Mystery Museum's professor, is studying. They read the clues, do some online and offline research, and then attempt to identify the game's mystery person, Mansa Musa.
OpenStax
Open Stax: West Africa and the Role of Slavery
This section of a chapter on "The Americas, Europe, and Africa Before 1492" takes a look at the major West African empires and discusses the roles of Islam and Europe in the slave trade.
Other
Mali: Ancient Crossroads of Africa
Very thorough web site featuring a guide for teaching the history, geography, and economics of the early West African empire of Mali. By clicking on the links on top, you will uncover a wealth of resources providing information,...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Africa Art: Ancient West African City of Benin
A photographic exhibit of art objects from Benin from the period of 1300 to 1897 C.E. Extensive commentary is given for each object. Requires Adobe Reader. [PDF]
Library of Congress
Loc: African Immigration: Africans in America: Life in a Slave Society
An excellent overview of the African American experience in America beginning with West Africa during the slave trade, through emancipation and reconstruction, to "New beginnings."
BBC
Bbc World Service:the Story of Africa
The history of Africa is documented from earliest times to the present. The menu bar divides it into time periods which then divide into sub-topics; also included is a visual timeline.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: West African Society at the Point of European Contact
Prior to European contact, western Africa's powerful kingdoms supported the arts, technology, and thriving economies. Read about the areas from which slaves were transported before the transatlantic trade began.
Understanding Slavery Initiative
Understanding Slavery Initiative: Africa Before Transatlantic Enslavement
The history of West Africa provides a context for learning about the transatlantic slave trade. Discover the rich cultural traditions and economic networks that existed in the West African empires such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhay long...
Association of Religion Data Archives
Association of Religion Data Archives: National Profiles: Saint Helena
Learn about religion in the West African island territory of Britain, Saint Helena, in this Association of Religion Data Archives country profile; includes general facts, history, and religious data.
PBS
Pbs: New Perspectives on the West
This in-depth resource presents a history of the American West from pre-Columbian times until World War I with profiles, documents, and images. It encourages visitors to link these into patterns of historical meaning for themselves....
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1491 1607: African Societies and Atlantic Slave Trade
The beginning of the Atlantic slave trade uprooted previously established societal norms in West Africa.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1865 1898: The Homestead Act and the Exodusters
Explains what the Homestead Act of 1862 was and what it meant for settlers, as well as the Exodus of 1879 when many African Americans became exodusters and left the South. Includes questions for students at end.
Other
The African American Experience
Provides information on African American history. Includes information on the following topics: slave and free in St. Louis, African-American immigration, segregated religion, African-American education, segregated housing, roots of...
Other
The African American Experience
Provides information on African American history. Includes information on the following topics: slave and free in St. Louis, African-American immigration, segregated religion, African-American education, segregated housing, roots of...
Other
Postbellum African American Society and Culture: Black Migration
From the Encyclopedia of American Social History. Read about the black migration to the West, primarily Kansas and Oklahoma after the end of Reconstruction and the institution of black codes in the South.
Digital History
Digital History: Enslavement
A very good description of how Africans were enslaved in Africa for sale to the Europeans. See how the introduction of European weapons changed the dynamic in West Africa.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Explore Pa History: Horace Pippin
A concise biographical sketch that examines the contributions of African American painter and Pennsylvania native, Horace Pippin.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Owie Kimou, Portrait Mask (Mblo) of Moya Yanso (Baule Peoples)
This article discusses the importance of sculpted masks in West African culture. Learn about the two types of entertainment masks, Goli and Mblo, and their role in masquerades.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Taj Mahal
This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features Taj Mahal, an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, and one of the pioneers of what came to be called world music. He combined blues and other African-American...