Clarify the history and conditions of modern-day Africa with a video by Crash Course World History. As high schoolers learn about Joseph-Desire Mobutu, the Rwandan Genocide, and the first democratic election in the Democratic Republic of Congo, they round out their knowledge of twentieth and twenty-first century Africa and its political conflicts.

Concepts

the congo, african history, african countries, rwanda, genocide, uganda, colonization

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Assign the video for homework as part of a flipped classroom activity
• Have the class split into groups to further research different African countries
• Discuss historical transitions from colonization like Belgian Congo in 1960, as well as the independence of India from Britain

Classroom Considerations

• Complexity of subject matter makes the video most appropriate as part of a larger unit and discussion on African history
• Video mainly focuses on African conflicts in the 20th century, particularly from 1970 to the present
• Narration moves quickly; consider pausing periodically to reinforce understanding
• Part of a larger video playlist on world history

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Covers a wide range of topics
• Folds well into a social studies unit on conflicts and genocide across the globe

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.2 SL.11-12.2 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.3 RH.9-10.4 RH.9-10.9 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.3 RH.11-12.4 RH.11-12.9