Imperialism: Justified or not?

1. Students will have an opportunity to explore the causes and consequences of Imperialism during the 19th Century and will develop a documentary using either PowerPoint or IMovie to showcase their research, followed by an independent essay to justify or condemn the colonists actions. Introduction You are a member of a film production studio that has recently been hired to produce a documentary about the New Imperialism during the 19th Century. The era of “New Imperialism” occurred during the late 1880’s until about the early 1900’s. During this time period European governments scrambled frantically for territory in Africa and strived for trade domination in China, Egypt, the Ottoman Empire and India. The causes of New Imperialism differed from those of the first explorers, new land and missionary work, and focused mostly on economic expansion, political empire building, military expansion, and the racist belief in European superiority. Some greatly criticized imperialism as a betrayal of Western ideals of freedom and equality; others realized that in order to maintain the balance of Europe the major players of imperialism must create new legislation to divide territories or open trade markets fairly. This divide and control attitude created dire consequences for the indigenous people of these lands and eventually becomes a cause for The Great War. Imperialism: Justified or not? Introduction Task Process Evaluation

2. Task You will be responsible for producing a documentary of the causes and consequences of Imperialism, along with an opinion of whether the colonizers were justified or not. Each person will be responsible to: * Research each segment for the documentary: causes for New Imperialism, critics of Imperialism, New Legislation dictating rules for Imperialism, and consequences of Imperialism; * Create a 5-7 minute documentary which includes appropriate images, voice-over narration, etc; Imperialism: Justified or not? Introduction Task Process Evaluation

3. Process • Refer to your grading rubric to make sure that you meet each expectation to create the best possible documentary. Rubrics can be found on the Evaluation page of this webquest. • Conduct research on each segment of the documentary • Causes for the New Imperialism • Critics of the New Imperialism • Legislation dictating rules of Imperialism • Consequences of Imperialism • Prepare a script to use for the narration in your documentary that should include elaborate details about your research • Construct your documentary using Imovie or a similar Web 2.0 tool. • Edit and fine tune your documentary before submitting Imperialism: Justified or not? Introduction Task Process Evaluation Resources

4. Evaluation Imperialism: Justified or not? Introduction Task Process Evaluation

5. Resources Use the following sources in conducting your research. Imperialism The Open Door Website – Scramble for Africa The Story of Africa The New Imperialism Critics of Imperialsm Capt. F.D. Lugard J.A. Hobson Jules Ferry Rudyard Kipling Edward Morel Joseph Conrad Legal Action Berlin Conference of 1885 Boxer Rebellion Sepoy Rebellion Armenian Genocide Consequences Colonial Rivalry Imperialism: Justified or not? Introduction Task Process Evaluation