Lesson Plan

• Describe what an embargo is and differentiate it from other trade restrictions.
• Explain the political and economic reasons governments impose embargoes.
• Analyse the short‑ and long‑term economic impacts of embargoes on both imposing and target economies.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of embargoes using the UN Iraq case study.
• Apply knowledge by answering exam‑style practice questions on advantages and disadvantages.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• PowerPoint/slide deck on embargoes
• Handout with key characteristics and Iraq case study summary
• Printed practice questions
• Whiteboard and markers
• Access to recent news articles on embargoes (optional)

Begin with a quick “news scan” where students mention any current embargoes they have heard about. Link this to prior knowledge of tariffs and quotas, and set the success criteria: students will be able to define an embargo, explain why it is used, and assess its impacts.

1. Do‑now (5’) – students list known embargoes; brief whole‑class share (activates prior knowledge).
2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – definition, scope, legal basis, enforcement; present suggested flowchart diagram.
3. Comparison activity (12’) – in pairs, use the provided table to contrast embargoes with tariffs, quotas, subsidies; fill in advantages/disadvantages.
4. Case study analysis (15’) – small groups examine the UN Iraq embargo handout, answer guided questions, then discuss findings.
5. Synthesis (8’) – teacher summarises key economic effects; students create a quick mind‑map on the board.
6. Practice questions (5’) – individual written responses to three exam‑style questions; collect for formative assessment.

We revisited the definition, economic impacts, and the Iraq case study, highlighting both intended political goals and unintended side‑effects. For the exit ticket, each student writes one advantage and one disadvantage of embargoes on a sticky note. Homework: research a recent embargo and prepare a short paragraph evaluating its effectiveness.