Imperialism in Africa 1870 to the Present

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries several European powers expanded their colonial holdings and influence around the world particularly in Africa. This territorial expansion, economic development, and exploitation have had a significant impact on the development of these regions in the twentieth century. Imperial competition is considered to be one of the main factors, which led to World War I. However, its impact has carried on throughout the twentieth century. Your group will research and present this aspect of twentieth century history for one part of Africa.

What you’re going to do:

In your group you will research the background of the imperial policies and relationships between your country or region of the Africa, and the European powers which held colonies there. Once you have sufficiently researched and answered the questions in your group you will prepare a presentation about the effects of imperialism in your region. The outline and questions below will guide you through the main topics you must cover. Presentations should be interesting, creative, and thoroughly cover the topic of imperialism, from both the imperial and indigenous perspectives. You must emphasize the long and short-term impacts and consequences of imperialism-colonialism in your part of the world. It is very important that your visuals are thoroughly integrated into the presentation to illustrate what you are talking about. Show the class how these things happened and have them do something relevant to the history. You may not lecture through the entire presentation!!!!

Requirements:

Each group presentation must include the following:

Movie / A report which covers in detail the questions asked below. Must be broken up into parts.
A movie/skit filmed by your group that explains the situation in your assigned country.
An experiential activity/game that helps the students in the class better understand your topic.
Presentation/Slideshow / A report which covers in detail the questions asked below. Must be broken up into parts.
A Powerpoint or Slideshow created by your group that explains the situation in your assigned country. You may not lecture during this “show”
An experiential activity/game that helps the students in the class better understand your topic.

Countries and Regions, which will be covered:

South Africa

Nigeria

The Belgian Congo

German African Colonies

French African Colonies

British Colonies in Africa other than those listed

The Sudan

Liberia and Ethiopia (Unique in their independence)

Information to collect from the imperial power’s perspective:

·  What was the imperial power there for? Resources? If so, why were they needed? Cover this through out the relevant time period for your area.

·  What made the imperial power hold on to its territory? Why did the imperial power stay for so long?

·  Was there a territorial advantage to be gained or a military reason to enter this region?

·  How did the imperial powers view and treat the indigenous people?

Information to collect from the colonized nations perspective:

·  How did the indigenous people view the empire? Initially at first contact… After the imperial power was established in the new country?

·  Were there any resistance movements? Was resistance possible? How soon did an independence movement begin?

·  Did the empire provide any services or benefits to the indigenous population? What did the empire do to help advance or slow development?

·  Provide examples of traditional culture, which were altered or destroyed by the imperial intervention.

Present and explain the impact imperialism-colonialism had on both the imperial power and the colonies:

·  What consequences, both long and short term, did this empire building have on the imperial powers? World Wars, political instability, economic bankruptcy.

·  What were the long and short-term consequences of this imperial policy upon the occupied nation? Consider the human, cultural, and environmental impacts. Independence movements, lasting conflicts, territorial disputes, ethnic hostility, economic development, governmental instability, corruption, etc.

·  It is very important that you present the lasting impact the colonial period has had upon these nations through the twentieth century to the present.

Imperialism in Africa-1870 to the Present

Evidence and quality of research 30

Quality and effectiveness of report/presentation 30

Quality and effectiveness of visual 20

Quality and effectiveness of activity 20

European Imperialism 1870 to the Present

Evidence and quality of research 30

Quality and effectiveness of report/presentation 30

Quality and effectiveness of visual 20

Quality and effectiveness of activity 20