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Subject: History
Semester: 2
Period: 4
Week: 20
School Name: _________________________
Teacher’s Name: _________________________
Subject: History
Grade Level: Grade 12
Date: Week 20
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Term: Week 20, Period IV
Topic: The Liberian Economy (1950 to Present)
Sub-topic: Contributions of Major Concessionaires
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Identify the major concession companies operating in Liberia since 1950.
- Explain the contributions of mining and agricultural concessions to Liberia’s economy.
- Analyze the benefits and challenges of concession agreements in Liberia.
- Assess the long-term impact of concessionaires on Liberia’s socio-economic development.
Previous Knowledge
Students already know:
- Liberia’s overall economic growth trends from 1950 to the present (studied in Week 19).
- The meaning of concession agreements and foreign investment.
Instructional Materials
- Textbook: Liberian Economic History (Teacher’s reference + Student copy).
- Teaching aids:
- Map of Liberia showing locations of LAMCO, Bong Mines, NIOC, Firestone, LAC.
- Chart comparing contributions of mining vs. agriculture concessions.
- Pictures/diagrams of rubber plantations and iron ore mines.
- Students’ notebooks and writing materials.
Lesson Development – ABC Model
A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Activity:
- Teacher asks:
- “What comes to your mind when you hear the word concession?”
- “Which companies do you know that have operated in Liberia’s mining or agriculture sector?”
- Teacher records responses on the board under two headings: Mining and Agriculture.
Teacher’s Role:
- Guide brainstorming session, clarify misconceptions (e.g., concession ≠ free gift, but a business agreement).
Learners’ Role:
- Share prior knowledge of companies like Firestone, LAMCO, Bong Mines.
- Respond verbally and actively participate.
B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)
Time: 25–30 minutes
Teacher’s Role:
- Explain with examples, use maps and charts to highlight mining and agriculture concessions.
- Encourage students to take notes and ask critical questions.
Learners’ Activities (Expanded):
- Take notes on mining and agriculture concessions.
- Discuss in pairs: “Which do you think contributed more to Liberia’s economy, mining or agriculture?”
- Participate in role-play activity: one group defends the benefits of concessions, the other group defends the challenges.
Assessment Checks:
- Teacher asks short oral questions:
- “Which company was Liberia’s largest iron ore producer?” (Answer: LAMCO)
- “What year did Firestone begin operations in Liberia?” (Answer: 1926, but expansion continues post-1950).
Notes (Expanded & Detailed):
Mining Concessions
- LAMCO (Liberian-American-Swedish Minerals Company):
- Began operations in the 1950s.
- Contributed to GDP growth, built railways & housing for workers.
- Exported millions of tons of iron ore until civil war halted operations.
- Bong Mines (German company DELIMCO):
- Opened in the 1960s.
- Provided employment, housing, and infrastructure.
- Exported iron ore, strengthening government revenue.
- NIOC (National Iron Ore Company, operated in Mano River):
- Major iron ore exporter.
- Brought revenue but operations stopped during instability.
Agriculture Concessions
- Firestone Rubber Plantation:
- Largest private rubber plantation in the world.
- Provided jobs, foreign exchange earnings, and infrastructure (roads, clinics, schools).
- Liberia Agricultural Company (LAC):
- Major rubber producer contributing to GDP.
- Cavalla Rubber & Others:
- Added to Liberia’s role as one of the world’s leading rubber exporters.
Benefits of Concessions
- Employment opportunities.
- Infrastructure (roads, hospitals, housing, electricity).
- Foreign exchange earnings.
- Development of mining towns (Yekepa, Kakata, Harbel, Bong Mines).
Challenges of Concessions
- Over-dependence on foreign companies.
- Exploitation of resources with little local ownership.
- Environmental destruction (deforestation, pollution).
- Low wages for workers.
- Unequal agreements that favored foreign investors.
C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary:
- Teacher reviews:
- Names of major mining and agricultural concessions.
- Contributions to employment, infrastructure, and GDP.
- Problems with concessions (dependency, exploitation, environmental impact).
Evaluation Method (Expanded):
- Exit Slip/Quiz: Students write short answers to:
- Name two mining concessions in Liberia.
- List two benefits of Firestone to Liberia’s economy.
- State one challenge Liberia faced because of concessions.
- Teacher quickly reviews answers and provides oral feedback.
Assignment (Expanded):
- Write a short essay (1½–2 pages):
“Compare the contributions of LAMCO and Firestone to Liberia’s economy. Which one do you think had a greater long-term impact? Support your answer with at least three points.”
Follow-up Activity:
- In groups, prepare a chart showing the advantages vs. disadvantages of concession agreements in Liberia. Present in class next week.
Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies
- Struggling Learners: Provide simplified charts with company names, dates, and contributions.
- Advanced Learners: Research one concession not mentioned in class and present its role in Liberia’s economy.
- Students with Disabilities: Provide oral summaries and allow group participation for those with writing challenges.
Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
- What worked well? ____________________________________________
- What needs improvement? _______________________________________
- Students’ engagement level: □ High □ Medium □ Low
- Next steps: Reinforce the link between concessions and Liberia’s dependency on foreign companies in Week 21 (Agriculture & Forestry).