Oppression in Ancient Empires

• Social Studies

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you will be able to analyze the oppression powerful leaders created for different groups living within ancient empires.

Introduce the goal of the lesson and explain what students can expect to learn.

What is the definition of Oppression? (two correct possible answers)

1. A form of liberation
2. The prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority
3. The exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner
4. A fair and just exercise of power

What are the three rules of power according to Eric Liu? (select all correct answers)

1. Power does not remain static , frozen, or still.
2. Power shapes every part of our lives like a river
3. Having power can lead somenone to even more power
4. Power is not shared.

Oppression in Ancient Empires

Oppression was common in ancient empires, where powerful leaders created systems of domination and control that impacted entire populations. Such oppression was often based on social class, race, religion, or gender.

Explain how oppression was prevalent in ancient empires and encourage students to think about how different groups were impacted.

The Role of Leadership

Powerful leaders were often responsible for creating and enforcing systems of oppression. They used their authority to maintain their power and control over marginalized groups.

Discuss the role of leadership in creating and enforcing systems of oppression. Ask students to consider why leaders may have felt the need to oppress certain groups.

Based on the provided text whare some physical expressions of power?

1. Violence
2. Education
3. Forced labor
4. Imprisonment

What is privilege?

1. Being disadvantaged by lack of resources, opportunities, and protections that are not available to other groups
2. Being indifferent to resources, opportunities, and protections that are not available to other groups
3. Being critical of resources, opportunities, and protections that are not available to other groups
4. Benefiting from resources, opportunities, and protections that are not available to other groups

What are social norms?

1. Behaviors or actions that are considered typical or normal in a particular society
2. Behaviors or actions that are considered rare or unusual in a particular society
3. Behaviors or actions that are considered dangerous or harmful in a particular society
4. Behaviors or actions that are considered outdated or obsolete in a particular society

What are examples of systemic oppression?

1. Systemic democracy, education, and healthcare
2. Systemic sports, games, and leisure activities
3. Systemic racism, sexism, classism, or ableism
4. Systemic music, art, and literature

What is oppression?

1. The fair and equitable use of power
2. The peaceful sharing of power
3. The cruel and unjust use of power
4. The voluntary relinquishing of power

Use the text above to examine ideas about which groups have privelege and the system of oppression is being used in particular. (note you can drag the image and resize it)

What do you already know about the oppression of different groups in ancient empires? (fill in this mind map with examp

Examples of Oppression

Examples of oppression in ancient empires included slavery, forced labor, religious persecution, and gender inequality. These systems were often enforced through laws and social norms.

Provide specific examples of oppression in ancient empires and ask students to consider how these systems impacted different groups.

Social Class Oppression

Social class oppression was common in ancient empires, where the ruling class held power and wealth while the lower classes were subjected to poverty, exploitation, and limited social mobility.

Discuss how social class oppression worked in ancient empires and ask students to think about how this system impacted different groups.

Race and Ethnicity Oppression

Race and ethnicity oppression was also a common form of oppression in ancient empires, where certain groups were discriminated against based on their physical characteristics or cultural practices.

Explain how race and ethnicity oppression worked in ancient empires and ask students to consider how this system impacted different groups.

Religious Oppression

Religious oppression was often used by powerful leaders to control their populations and maintain their power. Non-conforming religious groups were often subjected to violence and persecution.

Discuss how religious oppression worked in ancient empires and ask students to consider how this system impacted different groups.

Gender Oppression

Gender oppression was prevalent in ancient empires, where women were often denied basic rights and subjected to violence and exploitation. Patriarchal systems were used to maintain male domination over women.

Explain how gender oppression worked in ancient empires and ask students to consider how this system impacted different groups.

Impact of Oppression

Oppression had a profound impact on the lives of those subjected to it. It created a system of inequality and injustice that impacted entire populations for generations.

Discuss the long-term impact of oppression on different groups and ask students to consider how it affected their own lives.

Recognizing Oppression

It is important to recognize and acknowledge oppression in order to work towards ending it. This involves understanding the systems of oppression in place and how they impact different groups.

Explain the importance of recognizing and acknowledging oppression and encourage students to think about how they can work to end it.

Ending Oppression

Ending oppression involves challenging the systems of power and privilege that create and maintain it. This requires collective action and a commitment to social justice.

Discuss ways in which oppression can be ended and ask students to consider how they can be agents of change in their own communities.

Discussion Question

What are some examples of systems of oppression that exist in our society today?

Facilitate a discussion and ask students to identify examples of oppression in their own lives and communities.

Interactive Activity

Break students into small groups and have them brainstorm ways to challenge systems of oppression in their own communities.

Provide instructions on how to conduct the interactive activity and encourage students to share their ideas with the class.

Conclusion

Oppression has been a pervasive force throughout history, but it is not inevitable. By recognizing and challenging systems of power and privilege, we can work towards a more just and equitable world.

Summarize the key points of the lesson and encourage students to reflect on what they have learned.

Assessment

Assess students' understanding of the lesson by having them write a short essay on the impact of oppression on a specific group in an ancient empire.

Provide instructions for the assessment and explain how it will be graded.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.