History Waec Syllabus

WEST AFRICA AND THE WIDER WORLD FROM EARLIEST TIMES TO 2000

1. Historiography and Historical Skills
   • What is History, and why do we study History?
   • Sources of History;
   • Historical skills (ancient and modern approaches);
   • Prospect of ICT in historical studies.
2. Trans – Saharan Trade
   • Origin, organization and the effects on the development of West African states.
3. Islam in West Africa
   • Introduction, spread and effects.
4. European Contact with West Africa
   • Reasons for their coming, immediate effects and West African reaction
5. Trans-Atlantic slave trade
   • Origin, organization, effects and suppression.
6. Christian Missionary Activities in West Africa
   • The suppression of the slave trade.
   • Christian Missionary Activities and their impact on West Africa
7. The Scramble for and Partition of West Africa
   • The Industrial Revolution,
   • Scramble for colonies,
   • Colonial subjugation,
   • Occupation and West African reaction.
8. Colonial Rule in West Africa
   • Patterns of colonial rule
   • Consolidation of European culture in Africa
   • Colonial economy and the underdevelopment of Africa
   • Colonial Africa and the two World Wars.
9. Problems of Independent West African States
   • Nature of politics: neo-colonialism and economic underdevelopment, unequal development within states and instability, the Military in West African politics, boundary disputes and threat to West African Unity.
10. West Africa and international organizations
    • United Nations Organization (U.N.O.)/United Nations (U.N);
    • Organization of African Unity (O.A.U)/African Union (A.U.);
    • Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); Etc.

THE GAMBIA (For candidates in The Gambia only)

1. SECTION A:   THE GAMBIA FROM EARLIEST TIMES TO 2000
   • Historiography and Historical Skills
     • What is history, and why do we study it?; sources of History; Historical skills (ancient and modern approaches); Prospects of ICT in Historical Studies.
   • Origin, political, social and economic organization of the following:
     • The Wollof;
     • Mandinka;
     • Fula;
     • Jola;
     • Krio(Aku);
     • Serahuli;
   • Indigenous crafts and industries
     • Pottery, salt making, iron working, soap making, leather works, weaving, carving,  tie and dyeing, boat building – technology; social and economic importance.
   • Early European contact
     • Trade, Christianity and impact
   • Introduction, spread and effects of Islam
   • The Gambia and the trans-Atlantic slave trade
     • Origin, organization and effects
2. SECTION B:  THE GAMBIA IN THE 19TH CENTURY
   • Suppression of the slave trade and its effects
     • Campaigns against kings of Barra, Sabiji and Fuladu.
   • The founding of Bathurst (Banjul)
   • Christian Missionary Activities and their impact
   • During the Soninke-Marabout wars, jihadist leaders
     • Colonial government’s reaction to religious disturbances, 1850 to 1880
   • Resistance to European Colonialism
     • Foday Kombo Sillah, Foday Kabbah Dumbuya and Musa Molloh Baldeh
3. SECTION C: THE GAMBIA FROM 1900 TO 2000
   • British Colonial administration
     • Indirect Rule and the Role of traditional rulers
   • Economic and social developments in the colonial period
     • agriculture; attempts at diversification
     • transportation and communication
     • education
     • Health services
   • Development of Local Government
   • The struggle for and regaining of independence
     • Emergence and role of trade unions and political parties
     • Internal government,
     • Independence negotiations
     • Senegambia relations before independence.
   • Development after independence
     • attempt at national government
     • the Republican Constitution
     • parliamentary government; multiparty politics, political realignment
     • social and economic developments
     • Senegambia relations
     • 1981 attempted coup d’etat
     • 1994 coup d’etat – AFPRC
     • The Second Republic – 1996 to 2000
   • The Gambia and the
     • United Nations Organization (U.N.O.)/United Nations (U.N)
     • Commonwealth of Nations/ The Commonwealth
     • Organization of African Unity (O.A.U)/African Union (A.U.)
     • Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

GHANA (For candidates in Ghana only)

1. SECTION A: LANDMARKS OF AFRICAN HISTORY (FROM EARLIEST TIMES TO 1800)
   • Introduction to African History
     • History as a subject of study
     • Sources of African History
     • Methods of African History
   • African pre-history up to 500 B.C
     • Hunters and gatherers, etc.
     • Beginning of village/community life
   • Civilizations of North Africa from 3000 B.C to A.D 1800
     • Pharaonic Egypt
     • the emergence of Lower and Upper Kingdoms.
     • Development of:
       • Farming technology (irrigation),
       • Metal technology (shipbuilding),
       • Engineering technology (pyramids).
     • Development of:
       • African arts and sciences, writing, mathematics, commerce, military organization, architecture etc.
   • Introduction of Christianity and Islam
   • Northern Africa-Berber
     • indigenous civilization
     • Economy, metal technology etc.,
     • external relations with the Phoenicians /Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans and Arabs.
   • Civilizations of the Horn, East and Central Africa
     • Axum
     • Rise of Axum- factors responsible
     • Major achievements in Arts, Technology etc.
     • Introduction of
     • Christianity and its effects.
     • The emergence of Ancient Ethiopia (Abyssinia), the rise of the Solomonic line of Kings, conflicts – internal and external
     • Bantu Civilization
     • Definition, origin and spread
     • Study of examples of Bantu complex societies:
     • Zimbabwe,
     • Mapungubwe
     • Kisale;
   • Swahili Civilization of the East African Coast
     • Definition and Origins of the Swahili Civilization
     • Economy
     • Metal Technology
     • Architecture
     • City Based Civilization
     • The Swahili Language
   • West Africa – Civilizations and Cultures
     • General characteristics of West African Sudanese states and kingdoms:
     • Location, social and political organizations, economic, religious, and technological developments, citing examples from:
       • Ghana
       • Mali
       • Songhai
       • Kanem-Bornu
       • Hausa States
       • The trans –Saharan trade: origin, organization and effects on the development of the states.
       • Forest and Coastal States
   • General Characteristics of West African Coastal States and Kingdoms
     • (Ife, Oyo, Asante, Mende-Temne, Dahomey, Igbo): social, political and economic organization, intra-regional trade, religious and technological developments.
2. SECTION B: GHANA AND THE WIDER WORLD; FROM EARLIEST TIMES TO AD.1900
   • Introduction to the History of Ghana
     • Sources and Methods
     • Pre-history of Ghana -50,000B.C. – A.D 1700
     • Hunters and Gatherers
     • Kintampo culture- farmers and village builders (2000 BC-AD 500)
     • The first townsmen in Ghana: were Begho, Bono-Manso etc.(AD1000-1700)
   • The peopling of Ghana
     • Peoples of Ghana
       • Northern zone
         Forest zone
         Coastal zone
     • The Rise of States and Kingdoms:
       • General characteristics, i.e., factors for the rise, attainment level etc.
     • Northern zone e.g. Dagomba, Manprugu, Gonja and Nanumba.
     • Forest zone e.g. Denkyira, Akwamu,Akyem, Asante.
     • The coastal zone, e.g., Fante, Ga, Anlo.
   • Social, Cultural, Political and Economic Developments in Ghana in the Sixteenth Centuries
     • Political systems:
     • Centralized communities, e.g., Asante, Dagomba;
     • Non- centralized communities, e.g., Sisala, Chamba
     • Theocratic communities, e.g., Ga-Adangbe, Guan
     • Comparison of the three systems.
     • Social organizations- religion, kinship systems, e.g. matriclans and patriclans: festivals, rites and ceremonies associated with various stages in the life cycle (marriage, birth, puberty and death)
     • History of medicine as practiced by various peoples:
       • Some examples of medicinal items and uses (botanical and zoological aspects of medicine)
     • Pre-colonial technological advancement: brass casting, gold working, pottery etc. Their
       • processes
       • products
       • importance
       • Art forms, e.g., Adinkra symbols, textiles, Kete, and Adowa dance forms.
       • Economy:
       • Subsistence economy: fishing, farming, craftwork, hunting and gathering.
       • exchange economy
         • local trading, e.g., salt, kola nuts
         • long-distance trading, e.g., leather, gold, beads
     • Importance of long-distance trade
   • European contact
     • Europeans on Ghana Coast
     • reasons for their coming
     • immediate effects
     • Changing patterns of trade: AD1500- 1900:
     • trade with Europeans- gold, ivory etc.
     • Atlantic slave trade- nature volume and contributions to the development of the Americas
     • effects of the slave trade on Ghana
     • The Scramble for and Partition of West Africa.
     • causes
     • Berlin Conference
     • major recommendations.
     • The effects on West Africa.
   • Social and Political Development AD 1500- 1900
     • Activities of the Christian missionaries:
     • Opening of churches and setting up of schools and colleges.
     • establishment of medical facilities
     • literacy work: translating the Bible into local languages, providing dictionaries, reducing local languages into writing etc.
     • Political Developments:
     • Effects of European Presence on local politics
     • The Bond of 1844
     • Aborigines Rights Protection Society.
3. SECTION C:  GHANA (AD 1900-1991)
   • Social, Economic and Political Developments (AD 1900- 1957)
     • Nationalist activities and political changes from 1900 to 1957.
     • Early Nationalist organizations: Aborigines Rights Protection Society (ARPS), National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA), Gold Coast Youth Conference, West African Youth League.
     • Early Nationalists e.g. John Mensah Sarbah, J. Casely Hayford, Kobina Sekyi.
     • Later Nationalist Parties:
       • United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC)
       • Convention People’s Party (CPP)
       • National Liberation Movement (NLM)
     • Later Nationalists: J.B. Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah, Paa Grant
     • Social and Economic Developments:
       • education
       • health and sanitation: etc.
       • religion
       • agriculture- cocoa, oil palm, copra, coffee, fishing, etc.
       • Transport and communications: railways, roads, harbors, airways, telegraph and postal services and mass media.
       • Mining – gold, diamond, bauxite, manganese, etc.
       • Timber and other forest products.
       • the work of Sir Gordon Guggisberg;
   • Post-Independence Ghana
     • The Nkrumah Era
       • Social developments
       • Economic developments
       • Political developments
       • contributions to African unity and world peace
       • development of a one-party state.
       • The fall of the Nkrumah regime;
     • Post Nkrumah Era:
       • Causes of rapid changes in government
       • Social and economic character of each regime:
       • National Liberation Council (N.L.C)
       • The Second Republic 1969- 1972
       • The National Redemption Council (NRC) & The Supreme Military Council Era (S.M.C) 1972-1979.
       • The Uprising of 1979 (May 15 and June 4) and the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC).
       • The Third Republic 1979- 1981;
       • Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) 1981- 1991.
   • Ghana in the Comity of Nations
     • Contributions, benefits and Challenges of Ghana’s Membership of
       • United Nations Organization (UNO); / United Nations (UN)
       • Commonwealth of Nations;
       • Non-Aligned Movement (NAM);
       • Organization of African Unity (OAU); African Union (AU)
       • Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS);
       • African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries (ACP/EEC)

LIBERIA  (For candidates in Liberia only)

1. SECTION A: LIBERIA FROM EARLIEST TIMES TO 1800
   • Historiography and Historical Skills
     • What is History and why we learn history; sources of History; historical skills (ancient and modern approaches); the prospect of ICT in Historical Studies.
   • Land and People
     • Main geographical zones of Liberia
     • Demographic, Ethnic, and Linguistic distribution (Kru, Bassa, Krahn, Gio, Mano. Grebo, Lorma, Kpelle, Belle, Mandingo, Vai, Kissi, Gbandi, Gola, Dey, Mende).
   • Migration
     • Migration due to war, pestilence, drought, and overpopulation.
     • Introduction, spread and effects of Islam
   • Kingdoms, Chiefdoms and Confederacies
     • Political Institutions
     • Social, religious and cultural activities (weaving, blacksmithing)
   • European Contacts
     • Liberia (economic and social effects)
   • Trans Atlantic Slave Trade
     • origin, organization, effects, suppression
2. SECTION B: LIBERIA IN THE 19TH CENTURY
   • The effects of Colonization movements on Liberia
     • The coming of migrants from the USA, the Caribbean and the Recaptives to Liberia.
     • The establishment and administration of settlements by the American Colonization Society and other Organizations.
     • Christian missionary activities and impact
   • The formation and significance of the Commonwealth of Liberia
     • Problems, conflicts and cooperation between the settlers and indigenous people.
     • Territorial expansion and its effects
   • Declaration of Independence
     • The reasons for and the significance of the Declaration of Independence.
     • The Constitution of 1847 and its importance.
     • The origin and development of political parties.
     • The administration of Joseph .J. Roberts
     • Edward J. Roye and the ruling class
   • Liberia’s Relationship with the outside world
     • Diplomatic recognition by Britain, France etc
   • Problems of land acquisition
     • Encroachment by the British and French beyond the agreed colonial boundaries.
     • Expansion into the interior
3. SECTION C: LIBERIA FROM 1900 TO 2000
   • Political Development
     • The roles of Presidents David Coleman and Arthur Barclay.
     • The origin and development of political parties up to 2000.
     • Exportation of labor; the Fernando Po crisis, the League of Nations intervention.
   • The administration of Edwin Barclay, William V.S Tubman, William R. Tolbert Jr.
     • 1980 coup d’etat and Samuel K. Doe
     • Beginning of the civil war (ECOWAS intervention/ ECOMOG activities).
     • Interim government – 1990- 1994; 1994 – 1997.
     • Administration of Charles Taylor (1997-2000).
   • Economic development and the spread of education
   • Liberia and the
     • United Nations Organization (UNO)
     • Organization of African Unity (OAU)/ African Union (AU)
     • Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
     • Mano River Union (MRU)

NIGERIA (For candidates in Nigeria only)

1. SECTION A: NIGERIA FROM EARLIEST TIMES TO 1800
   • Historiography and historical skills
     • What is History and why we study History; sources of History; Historical skills (ancient and modern approaches); Prospect of ICT in Historical Studies.
   • Land and peoples of Nigeria
     • Main geographical zones in Nigeria: impact of the environment on human activities, e.g., hunting, fishing, farming, etc.
   • Centers of ancient civilization
     • Nok, Ife, Igbo Ukwu, Benin.
   • Centralized and non-centralized states
     • Kanem and Borno;
     • Hausa;
     • Nupe;
     • Oyo;
     • Benin;
     • Igbo;
     • Efik;
     • Inter-group relations: economic activities, intermarriages, bilingualism, etc.
     • Impact of migrations; wars and politics on inter-group relations
   • Indigenous crafts and industries
     • Pottery, salt making, iron working, gold mining, soap making, leather works, weaving, carving, bronze casting, tie and dyeing, bead making, boat building – technology; social and economic importance.
   • External Influences
     • Contact with North Africa: trans-Saharan trade, Islam(Borno and Hausaland) and impact
     • Early European contact with coastal states, trade, Christianity and impact
   • Nigeria and the trans-Atlantic slave trade
     • Origin, organization and effects
2. SECTION B:  NIGERIA IN THE 19TH CENTURY
   • The Sokoto Caliphate
     • Establishment, administration, relations with its neighbors and impact of the Sokoto jihad on Nigeria.
   • Borno under the Shehus
     • The emergence of El-Kanemi, developments under El-Kanemi and Shehu Umar, and development under the later Shehus, the fall of Borno.
   • Christian Missionary Activities – activities, impact
   • Yorubaland in the 19th century
     • The era of Ibadan dominance; increased British pressure on Yorubaland;
   • Benin in the 19th century
   • The first phase of the British conquest of Nigeria: 1851-1900
3. SECTION C: NIGERIA FROM 1900 to 2000
   • The second phase of the British conquest in Nigeria 1900- 1960
     • The early phase 1900-1914: the amalgamation of 1914 and its significance
     • Later phase 1914-1960
       • central administration;
       • indirect rule;
       • the colonial economy;
       • social developments.
   • The decolonization process in Nigeria, 1922-1960
     • Origin of nationalism, nationalist movements after the Second World War, the road to and the attainment of independence.
   • Nigeria Since Independence
     • the First Republic, 1960-1966;
     • the coups d’etat, military rule, civil war and reconstruction, 1966-1975;
     • the military administration – Murtala/Obasanjo regime of 1975-1979;
     • the Second Republic, 1979-1983;
     • the return of military rule – Buhari/Idiagbon regime, 1983-1984
     • The Ibrahim Babangida regime, 1985-1993
     • The interim national government and Abacha regime, 1993-1998;
     • Transition to the fourth republic and Olusegun Obasanjo administration;
     • Emerging issues up to 2000: poverty, corruption, youth unemployment, religious crisis, terrorism, etc
   • Nigeria and the
     • United Nations Organization (U.N.O.)/United Nations (U.N);
     • Commonwealth of Nations;
     • Organization of Unity (O.A.U)/African Union (A.U.);
     • Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS);
     • Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
   • Global issues
     • West Africa in Diaspora; Racism, Debt relief and International aids; Peacekeeping and socio-political interest of developed societies; World peace (armament, nuclear science); Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

SIERRA LEONE (For candidates in Sierra Leone only)

1. SECTION A:  SIERRA LEONE FROM EARLIEST TIMES TO 1800
   • Historiography and Historical Skills
     • What is History and why do we study History; sources of History, Historical skills (ancient and modern approaches); Prospect of ICT in Historical Studies.
   • Origin, political, social and economic organization of the following
     • Temne;
     • Mende;
     • Limba;
     • Loko;
     • Susu;
     • Mandingo;
     • Sherbro/Bullom.
   • Indigenous crafts and industries
     • Potters, salt making, iron working, gold mining, soap making, leather works, weaving, carving, tie and dyeing, boat building – technology; social and economic importance.
   • Mane Invasions
   • Early European contact
     • Trade, Christianity and impact.
   • Introduction spread and effects of Islam
   • Sierra Leone and the trans-Atlantic slave trade
     • Origin, organization and effects
2. SECTION B:  SIERRA LEONE IN THE 19TH CENTURY
   • The founding of the settlement colony of Sierra Leone to the declaration of the Crown Colony
   • The emergence of the Krio and their subsequent decline
   • Christian Missionary Activities and their impact
   • The role of the colonial government in contact between the colony and the hinterland
   • The activities of Samori Toure in Sierra Leone
   • Declaration of the Protectorate and the Hut Tax War
3.  SECTION C: SIERRA LEONE FROM 1900 to 2000
   • The administration of the colony and constitutional developments up to 1947
   • The administration of the Protectorate
     • Indirect rule and the Protectorate Assembly
   • Economic and social developments in the colonial period
     • Agriculture
     • Mining
     • Transportation and communication
     • Education
   • Political and constitutional developments from 1947 to the regaining of independence in 1961
   • Sierra Leone from independence to 2000
     • The era of the Margais – 1961
     • Military rule – National Reformation Council,
     • The administration of Siaka Stevens,
     • The administration of Joseph Saidu Momoh – outbreak of the rebel war.
     • Military rule – National Provisional Ruling Council,
     • The administration of Ahmed Tejan Kabbah up to 2000.
   • Sierra Leone and the
     • United Nationals Organization (U.N.O.)/United Nations (U.N);
     • Commonwealth of Nations;
     • Organization of African Unity (O.A.U.)/African Union (A.U.);
     • Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS);
     • Manu River Union (MRU).

SUGGESTED READING LIST

1. Buah, F. K.  A History of West Africa from AD 1000, London: Macmillan Publishers Ltd, 1986.
2. Crowder, M.  West Africa: An Introduction of its History, London: Longman Group Ltd, 1977.
3. Eluwa, G. I. C. et al.  A History of Nigeria for Schools and Colleges, Onitsha: Africana-First Publishers Ltd, 1988
4. Okafor, L. M. History for Senior Secondary Schools, Books 1 & 2 Nigeria, Onitsha: Jet Publishers (Nig.) Ltd, 1989
5. Okafor, L. M. et al. History for Senior Secondary Schools Book 3, Africa and the Wider World Since 1800, Onitsha: Jet Publishers (Nig.) Ltd, 1990
6. Onwubiko, K. B. C.  School Certificate History of West Africa AD 1000- 1800 Book One, Onitsha: Africana-FEP Publishers Ltd, 1982
7. Webster, J. B. and A. A. Boahen with M. Tidy. The Revolutionary Years: West Africa Since 1800 New Edition, London: Longman Group Ltd, 1980