Scramble for Africa Simulation

An immersive 11th-grade history sequence exploring the Scramble for Africa through a classroom simulation of the Berlin Conference. Students analyze pre-colonial African complexity, simulate the arbitrary redrawing of borders, and evaluate the long-term geopolitical and humanitarian consequences of European imperialism.

Mapping Pre-Colonial Africa

Students explore the diversity and complexity of pre-1880 African kingdoms, trade networks, and linguistic groups to challenge the 'dark continent' myth. They use map skills to identify regional powers and the sophisticated social structures that existed before widespread European colonization.

Berlin Conference Simulation Day 1

Part one of the simulation where students represent European powers at the Berlin Conference. They receive strategic objectives and begin negotiating claims on a blank map of Africa, intentionally ignoring indigenous sovereignty to mirror historical attitudes.

Berlin Conference Simulation Day 2

The simulation concludes with final border negotiations and the signing of the Berlin Act. Students compare their classroom-created map to the actual 1914 colonial map of Africa, identifying the historical 'winners' and 'losers' of the Scramble.

King Leopold and the Congo Free State

A deep-dive case study into the Congo Free State under King Leopold II. Students analyze the hypocrisy of the Berlin Conference's 'humanitarian' claims by examining primary source evidence of the brutal rubber trade and its human cost.

Overlaying Borders and Ethnicity

Students overlay colonial political borders with ethnic and linguistic maps of Africa to visualize the mismatch created by European powers. They analyze how these arbitrary lines contributed to modern conflicts and social destabilization.