History+-+Imperialism

Did European Imperialism make life better in Africa?

Snapshot: The topic asks the student to consider the positive and negative effects of European Imperialism in Africa and then decide which one is more compelling. On the **Pro** side you are taking the position that the Europeans had a larger positive effect on Africa then a negative effect. On the **Con** side you are taking the position that the Europeans had a larger negative effect on Africa then a positive effect. Both sides should understand the opposite arguments so that they can effectively refute them. Possible areas where there was a European effect includes Education, Roads, Railroads, the rubber trade, diamonds, apartheid, and language. This not a list of all possible areas to discuss, but they should be considered.

Documents: : This is a copy of the World History Chapter on Imperialism Links: Africa Sourcebook Provides statistics about the extent of European Imperialism in Africa. [|African Timelines Site] This is a fantastic site that has a ton of resources on Imperialism. [|What was imperialism, and what effects did it have?] Lecture Notes from Whittier College on the topic of European Imperialism [|Resources on Africa: History Place] This site has fantastic links on imperialism [|History Channel: Imperialism] Good resource on Imperialism [|Why is Africa so Poor?] Link to an Article from the BBC that tries to answer the question. [|Africa was better off under colonialism] Link to an article from the BBC that says Africa was better during colonial rule. [|The Myth of Neo-Colonialism] Link to an article describing how colonialism may have been good for Africans. [|Overview of Imperialism] This is an overview of Imperialism from the curriculum of the Bronx Community College [|Africans of Africa: Colonialism] A BBC article explaining how Africa's problems today are due to imperialism King Leopold's Legacy An explanation of the crimes committed by King Leopold against the Congo. [|Video on Changes over the last 200 Years] This explains economic changes over the last 200 Years. [|Video on King Leopold] Link to BBC video White King: Black Death [|Exemplifying the Horror of European Imperialism] An article critiquing Leopold's rule in the Congo. [|How Did Britain Maintain Control Over its Colonies Part 1] This video podcast explains how Britain maintained order over their colonies