Colonialism in the Congo: Conquest, Conflict, and Commerce
Printed Curriculum [$20]
Downloadable Curriculum [$16]
Classroom Set [$9.75ea] (10 min)
Third Edition.
Overview
In the first decade of the twentieth century, again in the 1960s, and then as the world passed from the twentieth to twenty-first centuries, conflict in the Central African region of the Congo became the focus of global concern. This region, the site of so much violence and chaos throughout the twentieth century, still suffers today. Colonialism in the Congo: Conquest, Conflict, and Commerce helps students explore the history of precolonial Congo and European imperialism there. The unit also discusses Congo's independence and the troubles it has experienced since then. In this unit, students participate in the international debate about the future of what was then called the Congo Free State. The debate raises questions that are relevant to decision-makers today: When should citizens and governments of one country be concerned about people in other countries? How should we balance issues of economics and morality when making decisions?
Readings
- Part I explores precolonial Congo and European imperialism
- Part II examines the Congo under Leopold's rule and the international responses to the atrocities there.
- An Epilogue (after the Options) explains the outcome of the British debate and traces the twentieth century history of the Congo.
Framework of Policy Options
At the core of the unit is a framework of three options the British government discussed in 1904 concerning possible British reaction to the events in the Congo Free State. The choices included unilaterally acting to force change in the region, cooperating with other powers to force change, and focusing on the British empire rather than on problems beyond its scope.
Suggested Five-Day Lesson Plan
The Teacher's Resource Book accompanying Colonialism in the Congo: Conquest, Conflict and Commerce contains a day-by-day lesson plan and student activities.
- Day One: Students explore precolonial Congo by looking at proverbs from one ethnic group.
- Day One Alternative: An alternative lesson addresses geography and European imperialism.
- Day Two: Students take on the roles of several real people at the turn of the twentieth century. Those characters share their opinions about the events in the Congo Free State and what could be done about them.
- Days Three and Four: Students engage in a simulation of the 1904 British parliamentary debate in which MPs discussed whether and how Great Britain should intervene in the Congo.
- Day Five: Students read and evaluate two speeches made at Congolese independence in 1960. An optional lesson addresses the use of primary sources.
- An optional lesson engages students in consideration of the impact of individuals on the course of history.