IB History HL · Unit 21 of 6

IB History HL Unit 21: Paper 3 · History of Africa and the Middle East

Unit 21 of IB History covers Paper 3 · History of Africa and the Middle East. This unit contains 18 topics and 36 sub-topics. Below you'll find free study notes, flashcards, and exam preparation resources for every topic in this unit.

Higher Level students should treat this unit page as a route map: revise the shared core, then use the HL notes and topic links to reach the extra depth and evaluation expected at HL.

18 topics36 sub-topics

Exam technique guide

What Unit 21 covers

HL Paper 3 regional depth study — History of Africa and the Middle East (18 prescribed topics; study 3).

Topics in Unit 21

21.1

The 'Abbasid dynasty (750–1258)

2 sub-topics

21.2

The Fatimids (909–1171)

2 sub-topics

21.3

The Crusades (1095–1291)

2 sub-topics

21.4

The Ottomans (1281–1566)

2 sub-topics

21.5

Trade and the rise and decline of African states and empires (800–1600)

2 sub-topics

21.6

Pre-colonial African states (1800–1900)

2 sub-topics

21.7

The slave trade in Africa and the Middle East (1500-1900)

2 sub-topics

21.8

European imperialism and the partition of Africa (1850–1900)

2 sub-topics

21.9

Response to European imperialism (1870–1920)

2 sub-topics

21.10

Africa under colonialism (1890–1980)

2 sub-topics

21.11

20th-century nationalist and independence movements in Africa

2 sub-topics

21.12

The Ottoman Empire (c1800–1923)

2 sub-topics

21.13

War and change in the Middle East and North Africa 1914–1945

2 sub-topics

21.14

Africa, international organizations and the international community (20th century)

2 sub-topics

21.15

Developments in South Africa 1880–1994

2 sub-topics

21.16

Social and cultural developments in Africa in the 19th and 20th centuries

2 sub-topics

21.17

Post-war developments in the Middle East (1945–2000)

2 sub-topics

21.18

Post-independence politics in Africa to 2005

2 sub-topics

Study tip: Work through the topics in order — each builds on concepts from the one before. Start with notes, then reinforce with flashcards and practice questions.

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