Unit 21: Paper 3 (HL) — History of Africa & the Middle East
Topic 21.6: Pre-colonial African states (1800–1900) Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB History Topic 21.6. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
1Examine15 marks
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q1
Examine the causes and effects of the Mfecane/Difaqane in southern Africa in the early nineteenth century.
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question2Discuss15 marks
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q8
Discuss the reasons for the rise of Samori Toure's Mandinka Empire and the reasons for its eventual decline.
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question3Examine15 marks
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q10
Examine the political, social and economic organization of two pre-colonial African states of your choice from this period.
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question4Choose1 mark
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q14
Which Ethiopian emperor defeated the invading Italian army at the Battle of Adwa in 1896?
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question5Choose1 mark
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q12
In which year did Usman Dan Fodio declare the jihad that led to the establishment of the Sokoto Caliphate?
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question6Choose1 mark
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.2 - Q11
Choose the correct term for the decades of civil war among rival Ethiopian regional lords before Tewodros II's rise to power.
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question7Evaluate15 marks
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q2
Evaluate the reasons for the rise of the Sokoto Caliphate under Usman Dan Fodio.
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question8Choose1 mark
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.2 - Q12
Choose the event that directly led to Italy recognising Ethiopian independence.
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question9Compare and contrast15 marks
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q5
Compare and contrast the methods used by Shaka to build the Zulu kingdom and Moshoeshoe to build the Sotho kingdom in the nineteenth century.
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question10Examine15 marks
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q6
Examine the reasons for the rise of the Mahdist state in Sudan in the late nineteenth century.
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question11Choose1 mark
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.2 - Q14
Choose the term for Samori Toure's professional standing army in the Mandinka Empire.
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question12Discuss15 marks
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q3
Discuss the importance of trade in the rise of the Niger Delta trading states under Nana and Jaja.
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question13Choose1 mark
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q11
Which nineteenth-century military leader reorganised the Zulu army using age-regiments (amabutho) and the short stabbing spear (iklwa)?
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question14Choose1 mark
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.2 - Q13
Choose the name of the successor who ruled the Mahdist state in Sudan after the death of Muhammad Ahmad in 1885.
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question15To what extent15 marks
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q4
To what extent was Menelik II responsible for the unification and expansion of Ethiopia?
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question16Evaluate15 marks
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q7
Evaluate the reasons for the successful expansion of the Asante empire under Osei Tutu.
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question17Choose1 mark
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q15
Moshoeshoe built the Sotho kingdom around which defensible mountain stronghold?
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question18To what extent15 marks
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q9
To what extent did strong leadership explain the rise of pre-colonial African states in the nineteenth century?
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question19Choose1 mark
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.1 - Q13
Which Niger Delta trader rose from slave status to found the trading state of Opobo in 1870?
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock Question20Choose1 mark
2026• Aimnova original vault - 21.6.2 - Q15
Choose the correct description of Mzilikazi's relationship to the founder of the Zulu kingdom.
Markscheme and model answer locked
Unlock QuestionReady to practice Topic 21.6?
Get instant AI feedback on your answers, view detailed markschemes, and track your progress across all IB History topics.