Imperialism in Africa: Interpreting Information
Please read the following directions carefully!
- For this activity you will need your large Imperialism Map that we started a few weeks ago. (If you recall, I asked you to keep it because we would be using it again in the future. The future is NOW!)
- Write your answers to the rest of the questions on a sheet of notebook paper. Be sure to number them carefully so they match the way they are numbered below.
- Colored pencils are on the front table for you to use as needed.
Africa 1876
Add the following information to your Imperialism map.
1. Make a key on your map for the following countries:
- Britain (you should already have this from before!)
- France
- Belgium
- Germany
2. SHADE the areas of your map, according to your key, to show the territory controlled by those countries in 1876
Add the following information to your Imperialism map.
1. Make a key on your map for the following countries:
- Britain (you should already have this from before!)
- France
- Belgium
- Germany
2. SHADE the areas of your map, according to your key, to show the territory controlled by those countries in 1876
"On the Swoop"
This cartoon was published in a magazine in 1890. Answer the questions below to help you analyze its meaning.
3. What "characters" (people, animals, etc...) do you see and who do they represent?
4. Do any parts of the cartoon have a symbolic meaning?
5. What event or idea is the cartoon about?
6. Does the cartoon have a positive or negative view of the event/idea it illustrates?
7. If you had to write a caption explaining the intent or opinion of the cartoonist what would it say?
This cartoon was published in a magazine in 1890. Answer the questions below to help you analyze its meaning.
3. What "characters" (people, animals, etc...) do you see and who do they represent?
4. Do any parts of the cartoon have a symbolic meaning?
5. What event or idea is the cartoon about?
6. Does the cartoon have a positive or negative view of the event/idea it illustrates?
7. If you had to write a caption explaining the intent or opinion of the cartoonist what would it say?
The Berlin Conference
Before you answer the questions, click here to read about the "scramble for Africa" and the Berlin conference
8. What was the Berlin Conference?
9. The image to the left is a drawing of the Berlin Conference meeting. Based on what you know as well as what you see in the drawing, describe three interesting or notable details from the drawing.
10. How far away from Africa is Berlin, Germany, where this meeting was held? (Use Google!) Why is this significant?
Before you answer the questions, click here to read about the "scramble for Africa" and the Berlin conference
8. What was the Berlin Conference?
9. The image to the left is a drawing of the Berlin Conference meeting. Based on what you know as well as what you see in the drawing, describe three interesting or notable details from the drawing.
10. How far away from Africa is Berlin, Germany, where this meeting was held? (Use Google!) Why is this significant?
Africa 1914
Go back to your Imperialism Map.
11. Use the SAME colors as before, but instead of shading use diagonal lines or some other pattern to label the territory controlled by the countries in your key in 1914
12. When you compare your shaded areas from 1876 and the patterned areas from 1914 how would you describe what happened during those 28 years?
Go back to your Imperialism Map.
11. Use the SAME colors as before, but instead of shading use diagonal lines or some other pattern to label the territory controlled by the countries in your key in 1914
12. When you compare your shaded areas from 1876 and the patterned areas from 1914 how would you describe what happened during those 28 years?
Percentage of Africa Controlled by European Powers in 1913
13. Who seems to be the "winners" of the "scramble for Africa"?
14. How much of Africa was controlled by non-European powers?
15. How many African countries are listed in the diagram? Why is this significant?
13. Who seems to be the "winners" of the "scramble for Africa"?
14. How much of Africa was controlled by non-European powers?
15. How many African countries are listed in the diagram? Why is this significant?
Modern Africa
16. Compare this CURRENT (2014) map of Africa to the 1914 map above. What observations can you make?
17. Based on the "Berlin Conference" image above and the maps you have studied so far, how much influence do you think native Africans had in determining the modern borders of their countries?
18. Why might these borders be responsible for some of the problems & ethnic conflicts that affect Africa in current times?
19. After reviewing the maps, write a paragraph that gives several specific examples of how the current borders in Africa reflect the boundaries established by the European nations during the scramble for Africa.
16. Compare this CURRENT (2014) map of Africa to the 1914 map above. What observations can you make?
17. Based on the "Berlin Conference" image above and the maps you have studied so far, how much influence do you think native Africans had in determining the modern borders of their countries?
18. Why might these borders be responsible for some of the problems & ethnic conflicts that affect Africa in current times?
19. After reviewing the maps, write a paragraph that gives several specific examples of how the current borders in Africa reflect the boundaries established by the European nations during the scramble for Africa.
Africa Today
20. What is this cartoonist trying to say?
21. What other country is to blame besides European countries according to this cartoon?
22. Examine the infographic posted HERE. How does this information support the cartoonists' point of view (Tip: Pay particular attention to the "ring" graphs along the left-hand side of the image.)
20. What is this cartoonist trying to say?
21. What other country is to blame besides European countries according to this cartoon?
22. Examine the infographic posted HERE. How does this information support the cartoonists' point of view (Tip: Pay particular attention to the "ring" graphs along the left-hand side of the image.)