UNDER THE MICROSCOPE: INVESTIGATING SOUTH AFRICA
A CASE STUDY IN AFRICAN COLONIZATION
The past few weeks we have spent our time studying the colonization of Africa. We learned about the
“Scramble for Africa”, when European powers sought to exploit African resources. The scramble resulted in
nationalist rivalries between European empires for control of Africa. This resulted in the Berlin Conference;
a meeting proposed by German chancellor Otto von Bismarck to devise ground rules for the colonization of
Africa. The conference consisted of fourteen European countries with no African representation.
We identified why the Europeans wanted to colonize Africa: GOLD, GLORY, and GOD.
We also analyzed the different factors that enabled the colonization of Africa: the Industrial Revolution,
ethnic conflicts in Africa, new advances in medicine, and inter-European power struggles.
Post-colonization, African people had little power in their governments. Europeans gained power in part by
encouraging rivalries among ethnic groups and taking the best land to farm. Colonization drew political
boundaries that divided ethnic groups and forced different groups to live together. We understood that the
colonization of Africa resulted in a transformation of the entire continent, both politically and economically,
with virtually all parts of the continent colonized by 1900.
With all of this new information, we discussed how the history of African colonization helps us understand
the current challenges in the developing nations of Africa. We explained that the colonization of Africa had
lasting effects on the continent, which shaped the continent into the place it is today.
Our next step is to analyze a specific country that was greatly affected by colonization. Looking at South
Africa “under a microscope” will help us better understand the lasting legacies of colonization.
Some call it the miracle of South Africa: a country which some in 1990 thought would be the powder keg
igniting a third world war. Next year, South Africa will commemorate its “second decade of freedom”
showing the world a remarkable example of nonviolent change.
The history of South Africa is in large part one of increasing racial divisiveness (causing disagreement
between people and causing them to separate into different groups.) Today, it can also be seen as the story of
a journey through massive obstacles, from tremendous diversity towards the creation of a single nation
whose dream of unity and common purpose became a realization.
PROJECT: Working with a partner, you will research, study, investigate, and analyze South African history.
You and your partner will create a Google Docs presentation that will outline all of your research. You will
have SIX class periods to complete this project. On the seventh and final day of the project, you and your
partner will present your final product to the class.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE:
 Develop a brief chronology of events in South African history
 Explain the system of apartheid as it was practiced in South Africa and actions taken to change it
 Identify Nelson Mandela and explain his significance
 Explore changes that have come about since the end of this official policy
DUE DATES/PRESENTATION DATES:
Period 3: THURSDAY, JANUARY 2ND
Periods 4, 5, 7, 1: FRIDAY, JANUARY 3RD
PROJECT TO DO’s (CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS):
 You will use Google Docs to create a presentation educating the class about South Africa
 You will complete (define) Key Words/Concepts and use the words/concepts in your presentation.
 Your presentation must contain/answer the following:
1. Give a brief history of South Africa.
2. Who colonized South Africa? Why?
3. What is apartheid?
4. Explain the system of apartheid as it was practiced in South Africa.
5. List sample apartheid laws.
6. Based on American values, what practices (during apartheid) do you find particularly upsetting?
7. Was the system of apartheid a direct result of colonization?
8. What actions were taken to change apartheid?
9. What are economic sanctions?
10. How were they used in South Africa?
11. Have economic sanctions been used in other places in the world? Why?
12. Does the apartheid in South Africa compare to any other events in world history? How and
Why?
13. Who is Nelson Mandela? Provide a brief biography of Mandela.
14. Why is he so important to South Africa?
15. Why is he so important to the world?
16. Explain the April 14th, 1994 election in South Africa.
17. Why was that election so monumental?
18. Incorporate an inspirational quote from Nelson Mandela and explain the significance of the
quote and why you chose it.
19. What changes have come about since the end of apartheid in South Africa?
GUIDELINES:
 You are using reputable sites to conduct your research (start with those I have provided on my teacher
page under “South Africa Project” tab)
 Your presentation is not text heavy
 Your presentation includes primary source images and quotes
 You PRESENT and TEACH this information to the class; you are not simply reading off the slides
 Your presentation should be AT LEAST five minutes in length
 You will receive a classwork grade each day; being on task, working hard ensures a good grade!
 You will be assessed based on rubric provided
PROJECT SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY 11 - 12345
Periods 3, 4, 5: Project Day #1 (see project details sheet)
TO DO:
 NEW SEATS
 ANALYTICAL ESSAYS DUE – Collect!
 HOUSEKEEPING (Pass back papers, diary assignment into folder)
 INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT – Highlight key points in project packet!
 BEGIN PROJECT – Work on key words/concepts definition sheet
THURSDAY 12 – 67123
Period 7, 1: Project Day #1
TO DO:
 NEW SEATS
 ANALYTICAL ESSAYS DUE – Collect!
 HOUSEKEEPING (Pass back papers, diary assignment into folder)
 INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT – Highlight key points in project packet!
 BEGIN PROJECT – Work on key words/concepts definition sheet
Periods 3: Project Day #2
TO DO:
 Continue working on project
 Key words/concepts definition sheet due next class
FRIDAY 13 - 45671
Periods: 4, 5, 7, 1: Project Day # 2
TO DO:
 Continue working on project
 Key words/concepts definition sheet due next class
MONDAY 16 - 23456
Periods 3, 4, 5: Project Day #3
KEY WORDS/CONCEPTS DUE TODAY! (HW CHECK)
TO DO:
 *By end of class, 50% of project should be complete
TUESDAY 17 - 71234
Period 7, 1: Project Day #3
KEY WORDS/CONCEPTS DUE TODAY! (HW CHECK)
TO DO:
 *By end of class, 50% of project should be complete
Periods 3, 4: Project Day #4
TO DO:
 Continue working on project
 Add pictures & multimedia (video clips..get creative!)
WEDNESDAY 18 - 56712
Period 5, 7, 1: Project Day #4
TO DO:
 Continue working on project
 Add pictures & multimedia (video clips..get creative!)
THURSDAY 19 - 34567
Periods 3, 4, 5, 7: Project Day #5
TO DO:
 *By end of class, at least 75% of project should be complete
FRIDAY 20 - 12345
Period 1: Project Day #5
TO DO:
 *By end of class, at least 75% of project should be complete
Periods 3, 4, 5: Project Day #6
PROJECT DUE NEXT CLASS!
TO DO:
 Project needs to be COMPLETE by end of class
 Anything unfinished MUST be completed for homework
THURSDAY JAN. 2 – 67123
Periods 7 & 1: Project Day #6
PROJECT DUE TOMORROW!
TO DO:
 Project needs to be COMPLETE by end of class
 Anything unfinished MUST be completed for homework
Period 3: Final Day/PRESENTATION DAY!
TO DO:
 Presentation of projects!
FRIDAY JAN. 3 – 45671
Periods 4, 5, 7, 1: Final Day/PRESENTATION DAY!
TO DO:
 Presentation of projects!
KEY WORDS & CONCEPTS
Define the following words and concepts on a Google Document.
**A COMPLETED and PRINTED copy is DUE in class on:
Periods 3, 4, and 5: Monday, December 16th
Periods 7 & 1: Tuesday, December 17th
1. Apartheid
2. Population by ethnicity
3. Population by rank compared to other African countries
4. Township/Soweto, Langa, Khayelitsha, District six
5. Nelson Mandela
6. Frederic W. DeKlerk
7. Desmond Tutu
8. Steve Biko
9. Thabo Mbeki
10. Pass system/pass laws
11. Bantustan/Tribal homeland
12. Economic sanctions
13. African National Congress
14. Nationalist Party
15. Democratic Alliance
16. Inkatha Freedom Party
17. Racial classification/restrictions vs. privileges
18. Truth and Reconciliation Commission
19. Reparations/Amnesty
20. 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa
NAMES: ______________________________________________
PERIOD: ______________
_______________________________________________
RUBRIC
CONTENT
X10
COLLABORATION
X5
ORGANIZATION
X5
PRESENTATION
X5
4
Presentation has an
exceptional amount
of valuable material
and was extremely
beneficial to the
class; answered all
question/main points
with detail and
support. Contained
numerous primary
source images and
quotes.
3
Presentation has a
good amount of
material and
benefited the class;
answered all
questions/main
points. Contained
primary source
images and quotes.
2
Presentation had
moments where
valuable material
was present as a
whole but content
was lacking; failed to
answer most
questions/main
points. Lacked
primary source
images and quotes.
1
Presentation had
little to no valuable
material; failed to
answer any
questions/main
points. Had no
primary source
images or quotes.
The teammates
always worked from
each other’s ideas. It
was evident that
everyone contributed
equally to the
presentation.
The teammates
worked from each
other’s ideas most
of the time. It
seems like
everyone did work
but some one
person may have
carried the weight.
The presentation
had organizing
ideas but could
have been much
stronger with better
preparation. Slides
were a bit text
heavy
Presenters were
occasionally
confident with their
presentation
however they were
unsure of their
content at times.
Presentation lacked
engagement and
preparation.
The teammates
sometimes worked
from each other’s
ideas. However it
seems as though one
person did more
work than the other.
The teammates
never worked from
each other’s ideas.
It seems as though
only one person
worked on the
presentation.
The presentation
was well-organized,
well-prepared, easy
to follow, and not
text heavy.
Presenters were
confident in delivery
and they did an
excellent job of
engaging the class.
Well-versed in their
content and spoke
clearly. Preparation
was very evident.
There were minimal
signs of organization
or preparation. Slides
were very text heavy
and hard to follow.
The presentation
lacked organization
and had little
evidence of
preparation. Slides
were very text
heavy and hard to
follow.
Presenters were not
Presenters were not
consistent with the
confident and
level of
demonstrated little
confidence/preparedn evidence of
ess they showed but
planning prior to
had some strong
the preparation.
moments.
TOTAL: ____________________/100