Benin and Europe
I can explain how contact with Europeans led to the Benin Bronzes being looted.
Benin and Europe
I can explain how contact with Europeans led to the Benin Bronzes being looted.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In the 1500s CE Portugese merchants began to trade goods like guns with Benin in exchange for enslaved people.
- The Dutch, French and English entered this trade in the 1600s CE, making Benin rich and powerful.
- However, by the 1800s CE, the power of Benin had weakened, and the British wanted to control trade in the region.
- In 1897 they invaded the kingdom of Benin, burning Benin City to the ground and making it part of British Nigeria.
- During the invasion thousands of pieces of Edo artwork, including some of those in the British Museum, were looted.
Keywords
Enslaved - when a person is enslaved it means that they are forced to be a slave
Transatlantic - transatlantic means crossing the Atlantic Ocean
British Nigeria - British Nigeria refers to the time when Nigeria was ruled by the British Empire from the mid-nineteenth century until 1960 when they achieved independence
Loot - to loot means to steal items from a place during a war but and can also mean the stolen items
Common misconception
The Kingdom of Benin's trade with Europe solely revolved around the transatlantic slave trade.
While the Kingdom of Benin did participate in the slave trade to some extent, it also engaged in other forms of trade, including the exchange of goods such as ivory, pepper, cloth, and brassware.
To help you plan your year 6 history lesson on: Benin and Europe, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 history lesson on: Benin and Europe, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the Benin: Why have people argued about the Benin Bronzes? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
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