Qatar: Slave Trade and Slavery Primary Sources/DBQ (Pearl Diving Early 1900s)

In this lesson, students will analyze four primary sources and one secondary source on the slave trade and slavery within the country of Qatar during the early 1900s. Most students do not realize that slavery continued in many parts of the world well into the 20th century. This assignment will allow students to learn about pearling, or the gathering of pearls, in the Middle East. The primary sources include male and female perspectives to learn about the abuse and problems faced be enslaved people in Qatar from the 1920s to the 1940s. I recommend using this lesson plan for students in grades 7-12.

The worksheet/DBQ includes twenty-two questions. This assignment can be assigned to individual students as a whole or students can be assigned just one primary source and report back to their group. The assignment could be as short twenty minutes, but with discussion and group reflection, it could easily take an entire class period.

I would like to thank Qatar Foundation International and GEEO for the grant that allowed me to travel to Qatar and Oman that inspired this lesson plan. I would also like to thank the Msheireb Museums for helping me learn more about the East African and Indian Ocean Slave Trade. If you are interested in learning more about QFI or GEEO please check out the websites below:

Qatar Foundation International: https://www.qfi.org/

Qatar Foundation Grant with GEEO for teacher travel to the Middle East: https://www.qfi.org/opportunities/qfi-and-geeo-educator-tours/

GEEO: https://geeo.org/tour-destination/africa-and-the-middle-east/

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