What impact will Imperialism have on Africa and what means can be used to predict the political stability of given African nations?

Lecture 1:Brief discussion on Geography of Africa MAP click on this: see map

Questions / Answers
What does it mean that Africa’s geography is like a cowboy hat?
What would be most northern, southern, eastern, and western parts of the hat?
Take a guess, what country would be the top of the hat?
Politically, economically, socially, what does it mean to be on top of the cowboy hat before and during the Industrial Revolution? Why?

Lecture 2: How to predict history based on reading maps ( click on link!)

In order to read a map to predict the politics of an area what two questions must be answersed?
Rank in order, whose the best colonial parent and why? Three countries.
Describe the time frame that could be predictive of a nation’s stability today? Compare the math (parent+year of independence): Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Ivory Coast.

Lecture 2: Impact today of Imperialism in Africa –

NIGERIA: English 1960.

British influence and control over what would become Nigeria and Africa's most populous country grew through the 19th century. A series of constitutions after World War II granted Nigeria greater autonomy; independence came in 1960. Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The government continues to face the daunting task of reforming a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, Nigeria continues to experience longstanding ethnic and religious tensions. Although both the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by significant irregularities and violence, Nigeria is currently experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since independence. The general elections of April 2007 marked the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in the country's history and the elections of 2011 were generally regarded as credible. In January 2014, Nigeria assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2014-15 term. / IVORY COAST:France 1960
Close ties to France following independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment all made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the West African states but did not protect it from political turmoil. In December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. Junta leader Robert GUEI blatantly rigged elections held in late 2000 and declared himself the winner. Popular protest forced him to step aside and brought Laurent GBAGBO into power. Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the military launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002 that developed into a rebellion and then a civil war. The war ended in 2003 with a cease-fire that left the country divided with the rebels holding the north, the government the south, and peacekeeping forces a buffer zone between the two. In March 2007, President GBAGBO and former New Forces rebel leader Guillaume SORO signed an agreement in which SORO joined GBAGBO's government as prime minister and the two agreed to reunite the country by dismantling the buffer zone, integrating rebel forces into the national armed forces, and holding elections. Difficulties in preparing electoral registers delayed balloting until 2010. In November 2010, AlassaneDramane OUATTARA won the presidential election over GBAGBO, but GBAGBO refused to hand over power, resulting in a five-month stand-off. In April 2011, after widespread fighting, GBAGBO was formally forced from office by armed OUATTARA supporters with the help of UN and French forces. Several thousand UN peacekeepers and several hundred French troops remain in Cote d'Ivoire to support the transition process. OUATTARA is focused on rebuilding the country's infrastructure and military after the five months of post-electoral fighting and faces ongoing threats from GBAGBO supporters, many of whom have sought shelter in Ghana. GBAGBO is in The Hague awaiting trial for crimes against humanity.
25 word summary on above text: on what is going in Nigeria Today. / 25 word summary on above text: on what is going in Ivory Coast Today.
NIGERIA: English 1960. IVORY COAST:France 1960
Does the math make sense? 50 words to justify. Is Nigeria seem more stable than the Ivory Coast?

Extra credit: Compare the background of both countries. Does the theory stand?

Click the link compare two countries:

Name of country.
Year of independence + Imperial Power = more stability than the other power / Name of country.
Year of independence + Imperial Power = more stability than the other power
50 word summary of the nation’s experience with independence? / 50 word summary of the nation’s experience with independence?
Does the theory stand?

Lecture 3:Leopold and the Congo

Questions / Answers
Click Links: Leopold and the Congo -- punishments
What’s the big idea about an imperial power leaving a legacy on the colonized country?
How does Leopold hear about the Congo?
According to the BBC, what is Leopold’s legacy on the Congo?
How does the Congo’s geography contribute to its exploitation?
What raw materials does Leopold seek?
What does Leopold do to the Congolese to get those natural resource?
What is the irony of Leopold calling the Congo, The Free State of the Congo? Why did he give it that name?

Lecture 4: Cecil Rhodes

Questions / Answers
What do Cecil Rhodes’ words convey about his feeling of nationalism, missionary motive, and/or the “White Man’s Burden?” Click links:
-Cecil Rhodes and the DeBeers Mining Company
-Cecil Rhodes political cartoon
Describe the political cartoon of Cecil Rhodes in Africa. What does is say about his intentions as an imperialist? Ironies?
How does Cecil Rhodes get rich? Use of Joint Company? What’s the name?
How do Cecil Rhodes and his joint stock company get in over their heads
Who will go to war in South Africa? Who fought each other?

Lecture 5: Berlin Conference

Questions / Answers
What was the Berlin Conference? When was it?
Click Links:
  • Berlin conference
  • Map of Berlin Conference

What problems resulted from the Berlin Conference?
How was the Rwandan Genocide of 1994 a result of the Berlin Conference?
Read this article on the Treaty of Versailles of 1919. Explain how it replicate the problems in the Middle East that were established by the Berlin Conference in Africa? Read questions 3—8. Good read. Not long. / 50 words. Gotta know this.

Lecture 6

Questions Know the dates/years: / Answers
When do Dutch colonize South Africa? What is an Afrikaner? Impact on South Africa?
When do English colonize South Africa? Impact on South Africa?
When are diamonds discovered? Impact on South Africa?
When is the Boer (Afrikaners)War? Who fought? Who won? Impact on South Africa?
When is Apartheid instituted (I know, big leap in chronology)?
When is Mandela put into prison and when is he free? How long is he in prison?

Nelson Mandela and his place in history?

Lecture 7 + 8:

MP3 Lecture + 5 minute biography of Nelson Mandela
100 words minimum
-Why is he important to know about?
-Role of Gandhi.
-Know the chronology.
-How does he make his biggest impact in prison?
-How does he make prison a place for the Just, as opposed to unjust?
-Once released from prison, what happens? / 50 words minimum on lecture 7
Watch Lecture 8 – Biography of Nelson Mandela
-Childhood
-Education
-Professional Life
-Role of Apartheid
-ANC – non-violent work
-ANC – violent work
-Prison
-Freedom
-Prime Minister of South Africa / 50 words minimum on lecture 8

What are some of the big ideas that you’ve learned by studying the history of imperialism in Africa? 50 minimum. List or paragraph.

Notes on the Scramble for Africa

Readings
Africa Before European Domination - 50 words minimum – concentrate on The Congo Sparks Interest
Forces Driving Imperialism - 50 words minimum – concentrate on Cecil Rhodes quote
The Division of Africa - 50 words minimum – concentrate on The Berlin Conference
Three Groups Clash over South Africa - 50 words minimum – concentrate on Boers and British Settle… and the Boer War