To what extent was European
imperialism a positive force for African
cultural, political and economic
development?
Preparation: 15 Minutes
 Read and Understand the question
 Read and Analyze the Documents
 Brainstorm & Outline: Do Not write a
complete rough draft!
Brainstorm positive and negative effects
 Lower tribal warfare
 Loss of land to Europeans
 Increased sanitation,
 Loss of





health
Schools=formal education
Increased life-span
Improved technology:
railroads, roads, telegraph
etc…
Export crops = increased
income
Access to new
manufactured goods
independence/slavery
(paternalism)
 Loss of life: new diseases,
warfare with Europeans,
famine due to cash crop
economy
 Loss of culture
(assimilation)
 Division of continent =
increased tribal conflict
Imperialism in Africa ran from
roughly 1885-1960’s
Define Terms: clearly establish
what imperialism was, and the
European motives for colonizing
Africa
Road Map
 Introduce and define terms
 Establish historical context
 Establish 3 areas to analyze: economic,
political, cultural development
European imperialism had an overall
negative effect on Africa’s
development.
European imperialism had both
positive and negative effects on Africa’s
development.
Thesis statement #3:
 Although economic growth and
political stability were outcomes of
European imperialism in Africa, these
positive effects are outweighed by the
loss of life, freedom, and culture
suffered by African peoples.
Place in Context
2. Note potential bias (Doc 2)
3. Transition into and out of
4. Analyze/Interpret
1.
1. The Berlin Conference
2. Social Darwinism
3. Forms of Imperial control: Colony,
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
protectorate etc…
Assimilation
Paternalism
King Leopold in the Congo
Effects of cash crop economy
King Menelik
1. 4 or 5 paragraphs
2. Topic Sentences
3. Transitions
As a result of the 1885 Berlin Conference
colonial boundaries exacerbated tribal
conflict, leading to political chaos and
instability.
Extension
 Connect this topic to a future historical event
 African independence was a natural extension for this
DBQ
 Example: European imperialism had long lasting
effects on Africa. As new African nations emerge in
the late 20th century, their development will greatly
impacted by the colonial legacy.