49A Final Paper (Butch, Ware) additional information PDF

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Summary

Format for written papers (obviously doesn’t apply for creative formats like story boards, videos, etc. For those you can take control, I don’t have any stipulations other than videos/scripts should really aim for 10-12 minutes in total content)...

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Scenario: On your way back from a post-Covid Memorial Day getaway, you happen to be seated next to a PBS producer who shares with you his plans for a new four-part series on early African History. You mention that you are currently taking a class on the subject at UCSB, and, impressed with your knowledge of the subject, he asks for your feedback on the proposed series. He is much as you might expect the series’ viewers to be, generally well-educated and well meaning, but not particularly knowledgeable about African History. While it is only in its beginning stages he has an idea for the first episode. He explains that he assumes that European trade finally connected this isolated part of the world with global commerce and led to the introduction of new products and new ideas. The proposed title is “A Necessary Evil: Why Africans sold each other into slavery,” which he thinks will draw a lot of attention and viewers… The plan is to organize the series thematically rather than chronologically. While an episode on the slave trade is the first proposed episode, the production team is just beginning and doesn’t even have storyboards or scripts for any of the other episodes. Right now the producer plans on having episodes on religious history in Africa, women’s history in Africa, and finally the beginnings of European Colonialism. Thus far then, the series looks like this: 1. 2. 3. 4.

“A Necessary Evil” “Religion and Politics in Africa” “African Womanhood” “Colonialism, Christianity, and Commerce”

Prompts (Pick ONE) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Write a short letter critiquing the idea for the first episode in the series. Write a script or storyboard for an episode on the history of religion in Africa Write a script or storyboard for an episode on women in African history Write a script or storyboard for an episode on early European Colonialism in Africa Propose your own four-part series organized along whatever lines would best introduce Africa to an American general public.

Due: Last day of class: 6/3

Some additional information: *If doing #5—write a paragraph or two outlining the vision of the series. Detail each of the episodes in the series—4 episodes. *You can work in groups for this *You’re welcome to do a video as an alternative ◦ Format for written papers (obviously doesn’t apply for creative formats like story boards, videos, etc. For those you can take control, I don’t have any stipulations other than videos/scripts should really aim for 10-12 minutes in total content) ◦ Typed ◦ Double-spaced ◦ Roughly 6-8 pages ◦ First line of each paragraph indented ◦ 1-inch margins ◦ Name and section day/time on the top left corner ◦ Page numbers on the upper right-hand corner ◦ If you have a title (which would be AWESOME), center it over the body of text. A single line between the title and the beginning of the text is sufficient. ◦ Introduction: ◦ Hook—be creative ◦ Briefly set the scene, outlining the format of your script/essay ◦ End this paragraph with a THESIS ◦ Thesis should make a clear argument and should be placed at the end of the introduction ◦ A thesis is an answer to a question. It is not simply a restatement of the question. ◦ A thesis is an argument. Understand the larger representation of Africa. ◦ A thesis is specific. It clearly limits the scope of the paper and explains the larger implications of the author’s analysis. ◦ Body paragraphs: ◦ A strong paper will use specific examples from either course readings or outside sources ◦ You must analyze and view events in relation to each other. DO NOT just summarize a series of events. Be creative! ◦ Use transition sentences to link one point to the next in a logical progression. ◦ Conclusion: ◦ Your conclusion should, very briefly, wrap up the essay and perhaps explore the larger implications of the argument you presented in the introduction. ◦ Sources: ◦ Can use outside sources, but not required to. Can use lecture, section, class material. If using class sources, you don’t need to cite them. If using outside sources I would like some sort of citation, but I don’t care which format you choose—just make the title of the source obvious. No need for a bibliography—

just cite things as they appear in the text. I genuinely am not picky with citations so just do your own thing.

The changes brought on African societies by the imposition of European colonial rule were motivated by economic, political, and social factors. The imperatives of capitalist industrialization spurred the European partition and eventual conquest of Africa, leaving the primary motivation for European intrusion to be economical. In the middle of the 15th century, central and southern Africa is still unknown to Europe. However, for centuries the Arabs operated trade routes crossing the vast Sahara Desert transporting to the Mediterranean gold, ivory and slaves. Europe is more interested in profitable trade routes from Asia, especially the import of silk and spices. But the expansion of the Ottoman Empire threatens these networks. Furthermore, the kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula set their sights on discovering new sea routes to Asia to corner the lucrative markets. 1450 (Portuguese Domination): Portugal takes the lead by inventing the Caravelle: a lightweight, versatile vessel allowing it to accelerate exploration of the African coast. The country establishes maritime trading posts as an alternative to overland trade routes, especially to capture the highly profitable slave trade. Special Exhibit A: Kimpa Vita and the Great Nation of Kongo. In 1482 Portuguese Navigator Diego Cão arrived at the mouth of the Kongo River and was the first European citizen to discover a strong state which was controlling the trade in the region boasting prosperity and economic development. Initially, the Portuguese build a foundation of trust with the Kongo people but their intentions gradually change as they are seeking gold and silver for the expansion of their economic space. Diego and his people return to the King of Portugal with a report of this encounter and return to Kongo in 1490, but this time, with Catholic missionaries and priests. The decline of Kongo power was now at its beginning as power subjects and the king himself, are forced to convert to the Catholic faith and adopt Portuguese names. While this religious cleanse was happening, the Portuguese organized industrial plundering of natural resources and deported masses of Kongo people to Europe, America, and the new lands. In 1684 near the mountains of Kabangu a young woman named Kimpa Vita was born and was prophesied by an older woman known as Nengua Mafuta. At the age of 20, Kimpa Vita passes away from an illness, but wakes up from her death after 3 days. She begins to prophesize about what she’s seen in the world of her ancestors and carries out the mission she’s been told to do for her community. She urges her community to resist and oblige the king to return to his initial function and preserve the country of Kongo. She also reminds her people to return to the true religion of God By showing that the Christian religion in particular, which was expanded with Afonso I, did not correspond to the true message of God. She understood the Portuguese’s true intentions of enslaving her people for profitable gain. and she did not want that to happen to those around her. Eventually, she dies a martyr, after leaving an impactful movement against the European imperialism on her culture and land. In 1498, Vasco da Gama reaches India. Portugal rapidly grows in power in the Indian Ocean and dominates the spice trade. The country grows rich and faces no competition from the Spanish Empire as the two reach an agreement to define their zones of influence, as per the Treaty of Tordesillas. Spain therefore focuses on the American continent. European Competition: In 1580, the king of Spain takes control of Portugal to form the Iberian Union. The new maritime power, the Netherlands, takes advantage of the situation to seize

Portuguese colonies. Portugal finally regains its independence and tries to regain control of businesses in Africa. But the country now faces competition from new European powers settling along the African coast. The situation then remains relatively stable for centuries, with each country managing its own trade routes. Slave trade becomes the most profitable business. European ships buy slaves in Africa whom they exchange in America for gold and local products such as sugar and coffee. Colonization Take Over: From the mid-18th century, anti-slavery movements gain momentum in Europe and gradually lead to a fall in human trafficking and slavery. Special Exhibit B: The Prince Among Slaves: Abdul Rahman. Abdul Rahman was one of few men to return to Africa after living as a slave in the United States for 40 years. His story is an extraordinary example of how some African captives were able to use limited resources and good fortune to navigate through the Atlantic world. In 1788, Rahman was sent by his father to subdue a rival. In the process of this campaign, he and his men were ambushed. Caught in a failing retreat, Abdul Rahman and fifty of his men were sold to a British slave ship captain. It was in Natchez, Mississippi where Rahman spent the next forty years of his life as a field man, under the plantation own Thomas Foster. In 1826, Rahman wrote a letter in Arabic to his family in Timbo, that somehow reached the U. S. Consulate in Morocco. The Arabic handwriting caused others to believe that Rahman was a North African Moor, not an African Muslim. The Sultan of Morocco requested that President John Quincy Adams and Secretary of State, Henry Clay arrange Rahman’s release in 1829. Although freed, Rahman was not satisfied until his wife and children were also free. From residents of Natchez and from others in the North, Rahman collected funds to liberate his family. However, he was only successful in liberating his wife and two of his children, along with their families, before immigrating altogether to Africa. In 1820, the colony of Liberia was established in West Africa for the relocation of free Blacks from the United States. Instead of returning to his original community of the Fulbe people, Rahman and his family were sent to Liberia. Unfortunately, shortly after his arrival, Rahman died on July 6, 1829, at the age of sixty-seven. Though a tragic ending to his life, he led a remarkable journey. The avenues he and others took to acquire freedom was exceptional. Colonization Take Over Continuation: Although there are conflicts with indigenous populations, Liberia becomes independent in 1847. A few years later, France and Egypt inaugurate the Suez Canal, opening a new shorter sea route to Asia. In the African colonies, interest turns towards trying to gain arable land in order to grow agricultural products primarily for European markets. While exploring the land, colonists discover the continent is rich in resources, stirring the appetite of European powers in the midst of industrial development. European Domination (1879): Tensions flare because of competition between European nations. In 1884, a conference is held in Berlin to regulate colonization. King Leopold II of Belgium gets personal possession of a large, little-known area in the heart of the continent. Germany, Spain and Italy seize territories, while the UK receives Egypt. Henceforth, countries can stake claim to any land they physically occupy. European nations, boosted by their superior military technology, engage in a race for control of the largest possible territory at the expense of local kingdoms and empires. In most cases, land is stolen and redistributed to European settlers. Indigenous people are subject to pay taxes, but they have no money; they then find themselves working in the fields or in mines, which later becomes a form of forced labor. The First Resistance (1896): Italy, which controls Eritrea and Somalia, fails to conquer the empire of Abyssinia which gains international recognition as a sovereign nation. After the discovery of diamonds and gold in

the south of the continent, the British empire expands to take over the states of Transvaal and Orange, both of which were founded by the Boers, mainly descendants of Dutch settlers who fled following the arrival of the British. In 1908, King Leopold II surrenders Kongo to Belgium. Two years later, after long negotiations, southern British colonies of the continent gain independence, forming the Union of South Africa. The new country remains linked to the British empire by becoming a dominion, ceding certain powers to the British crown. The World Wars (1914) During World War I, hundreds of thousands of men from the colonies are sent to European and African frontlines. The United Kingdom, France, Belgium and South Africa take over the German colonies. At the end of the war, a separatist revolution breaks out in Egypt. The UK is forced to recognize the end of its protectorate status, but the country retains control of the Suez Canal by maintaining a military presence. In 1935, fascist Italy again tries to conquer Abyssinia. This time, the Italian army is successful in gradually seizing territories, but Abyssinia would never sign an armistice. World War II breaks out in Europe, and again, hundreds of thousands of Africans are involved in fighting on different fronts. Italy, allied with Nazi Germany, loses its colonies on the continent. The Ambling of Precariousness (1945): At the end of WWII, Abyssinia becomes Ethiopia and regains its sovereignty. Talks are held at the United Nations to discuss the future of other Italian colonies. With European nations weakened by war, the United States leans in. Fearing the rise of the Soviet Union and communism in the world, the country supports the independence of colonies and their admission to the United Nations. When an insurrection breaks out in Madagascar against French occupiers, it is brutally suppressed. Italy eventually gets control of Somalia for another 10 years, while Libya becomes independent. Kenya also begins an anti-colonial uprising that would last 8 years and result in many civilian victims. Egypt Take Action (1952): In 1952, the Egyptian army overthrows the monarchy and begins anti-colonial policies. On one hand, the country makes contact with the Soviet Union to provide arms. On the other hand, it provides military support to aid Algerian nationalists against French occupation. Egypt also claims control of Sudan, and nationalizes the Suez Canal, chasing away the French and the British. In response, they unite with Israel to organize a surprise attack on Egypt. The offensive is a success but comes to an end after the USSR threatens a nuclear war. The US then steps in and orders an end to the offensive. The event marks the end of the British and French domination on the continent. Alas! Independence (1956) : Aware of losing their grip on power, France and the UK try to moderate their policy and maintain influence on the continent. Britain supports the independence of Sudan to prevent the country coming under Egyptian control. The same year, France, which is mired in war in Algeria, recognizes the independence of Morocco and Tunisia to avoid the spread of violence. The UK is ready to recognize the independence of its colonies, in some cases, if the new governments join the Commonwealth, an intergovernmental organization headed by the British crown. France wants its portion as it tries to set up a Franco-African community. All colonies accept the proposal with the exception of Guinea, which then gains independence. In 1960, a new wave of colonies gaining independence ends this project. France withdraws but maintains economic control over the region with the CFA franc currencies. The same year, the Belgian Kongo also gets independence and becomes the Kongo-Leopoldville. Algeria at War (1960): France tries to maintain control over Algeria at all costs, but violent repression and massacres of local populations make them lose support of the French and the international community. Despite violence committed by some of its own forces, Algerian separatists take advantage of the

moment by playing the diplomatic card and gaining debates at the UN. France, defensive at first, tries the empty-chair policy, and in 1962 finds itself forced to recognize the independence of Algeria. Portuguese Colonies Once Again! (1962): South of the continent, while the British lose their last colonies, Portugal also finds itself in trouble. Despite large investments and significant migrations of Portuguese to Angola, war breaks out and spreads into other colonies, causing the country to invest heavily in military efforts. Finally, a revolution in Portugal overthrows the regime. The new government recognizes the independence of the colonies and organizes emergency repatriation of its settlers. The Last Straw (1975): To the north, Morocco pressures Spain to quit the Western Sahara. When the Spanish finally depart, it captures two thirds of the liberated country. While European nations are no longer present in Africa, Southern Rhodesia is the only country whose independence was obtained by British colonists, who hoped to have found a country ruled by white people. The country is not recognized in the UN and comes under great international pressure. In 1980, it yields, and a transitional government is set up to form Zimbabwe. Termination of Gallery Viewing: Despite the end of European presence in Africa, the continent will still have to face various forms of neo-colonialism. World powers and multi nationalists’ influence have the aim of gaining the continent’s wealth and generating huge profits at the expense of its people, culture, and unity....