Imperialism WebQuest

World History

Objective

Students will learn about the 'New Imperialism' carried out by European powers in the 1800's and 1900's and discover how it impacted the people of Africa by investigating various readings, maps, graphs, and charts.

Page 1

Background Read this background piece before

you begin.

Germany’s Fault?

Now Germany is unified and ready to compete

France and Britain know how, Germany broke the rules

Germany upset the balance of Europe because they had no traditions established and wanted to gain influence too.

Germany’s moves..

Although not expected the colonization of Africa by Germany was well thought out.

While France and England were fighting over Egypt and the Congo and Niger River areas, Germany came into the competition and those in Europe did not know what to do

Now it could lead to violence

Why Germany?

Britain and France was doing it and there were few other places to claim in Europe. If Germany had colonies like France and Britain they too would be a world power

Bismarck, of Germany, had no traditions with foreign policy they were newly formed.

Colonization in Africa would prove Germany was a force to be reckoned with.

The Scramble for Africa

Answer the following questions based upon the map:1) How many different countries have colonies?2) Which country has the largest colonial empire?3) Which continents are almost completely controlled by other countries?4) Which continents are only controlled by a few countries?

Answer the following questions based upon cartoon:1) Which European countries were fighting for a position in Africa?2) Based on the reading you just did, is the cartoon accurate? Does it

really show what was going on at the time? Why or why not? 3) How did the Berlin Conference lead to the situation shown in this

cartoon?

Task Page 2

Data on Colonial Empires

1. Answer the following questions using the charts:

A. About how many square miles of territory does France control? Great Britain? Germany?

B. What is the TOTAL population controlled by the 5 countries shown in this chart?

C. For what purpose might these imperial nations use these people?

D. Based on this information, which country has the largest colonial empire? Does this answer agree with your answer to question 2 above in section A 'Imperialism Map' ?

2. Answer the following questions using the chart:1. What percentage of Africa is colonized by 1914?

2. Identify three effects this might have on the world.

Task Page 3

Africa Map Comparison

1. Answer the following questions using the maps:

A. What is the main difference between the 2 maps?

B. What part did the Berlin Conference play in the creation of the latter map?

C. What happened to the native African political entities by 1914?

D. According to the latter map, which two European countries held the most territory in Africa?

2. Answer the following question using the maps:

A. How did the Scramble for Africa in the 1800's and 1900's affect the current borders of Africa?

Task Page 4

Historical Context: Click on the indicated websites in order to answer the following questions.  These questions are designed to show the condition of the world during the time of imperialism, including what kinds of governments existed and which economies were strong.

1. Go to Living Conditions in 1900 .

A. Describe the infant mortality rate of Africa and Asia in 1900?

B. About what percentage of workers in Africa and Asia that were employed in agriculture (meaning, having the least amount of industry)?

C. Which continents seemed to have the lowest adult literacy rate in the world?

D. How could imperialism have contributed to this?

Task Page 5

Historical Context (continued):

1. Go to Big Cities in the Beginning of the Century

A. How many large cities are there in Europe?  Name three.

B. How many large cities are in the US?  Name three.

C. How many large cities are there in Africa?  What does this tell you about African industry?

2. Go to British Empire in 1914

A. Why did some people say that the “sun never set on the British empire?”

B. How did imperialism help Britain?  What types of resources does this map show Britain getting from their colonies?

3. Go to French Empire in 1914

A. By looking at this map and comparing it to #2, does France seem as strong an imperial power as Britain?  Why is this significant?

ConclusionWhat are negative and positive effects of imperialism in Africa?The effects would be too numerous to list, of course, and they're widely

debated. Here are some that have been listed, grouped in the two categories.

Negative Effects Much of the land was taken by other countries. There was little land that belonged to any

native Africans. Splitting up ethnic groups into separate countries, combining enemy ethnic groups into the

same country. More powerful weapons introduced to existing warring factions. Deaths from foreign diseases. Social division and racial strife. Countries are left underdeveloped Destruction of traditional culture. One of the most unfortunate effects is that after the imperial powers started pulling out

after World War 2 there was a power vaccuum. In many African countries the imperialists were replaced by home-grown dictators.

Positive Effects Development of infrastructure. Advances in agriculture. Moderation in wars between African tribes. Introduction on modern medicine.

Area of Colonies Area of Colonies 19141914

Population of Population of Colonies 1914Colonies 1914

1914

Political Divisions Political Divisions in Africa 1913in Africa 1913

Africa Today