General
What was the Berlin Conference?
a meeting of European powers to set rules for colonizing Africa and preventing conflict among themselves-->Drew up arbitrary borders with zero African input, leading to long-term instability and exploitation
How is Gender Development Index measured?
Measures same as HDI:
1. Education
2. Standard of Living
3. Life expectancy
True or False: countries that sponsor microfinance in Africa give the money as a donation
False
Who was Nelson Mandela?
a South African anti-apartheid leader who became the country’s first Black president and worked to promote reconciliation and end racial segregation.
When did the conflicts start?
1955
Which countries were the main colonizers of Africa?
Tier 1: Britain, France
Tier 2: Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Italy
Most of Africa has a traditional gender-based division of labor. What does this mean? Provide an example.
-men and women are expected to do different types of work based on cultural traditions
-many African societies men may farm or herd cattle while women are responsible for cooking, caring for children, and selling goods in local markets.
True or False: microfinance improves women's social status in the community
true
true or false: under the apartheid racial hierarchy, mixed race and Asians/Indians were in the middle, whites at the top, and black people at the bottom
true
The British colonization forced the north and the south together, what makes them different?
North: Arab, Muslim
South: African, Christian, animist
What is the difference between colonialism and neo-colonialism?
Colonialism is direct political and military control of a territory by a foreign power, while neo-colonialism is indirect control through economic pressure, controlling countries through debt, and political influence after formal independence.
Name a country in Africa with low gender equality
Chad – high rates of child marriage and low female education levels.
Mali – limited women’s political participation and restricted land ownership.
Central African Republic – women face widespread gender-based violence and economic barriers.
Somalia – traditional and cultural practices limit women’s rights and access to healthcare.
Burkina Faso – low female literacy rates and unequal access to resources.
In developing Africa, what does microfinance allow women to do with their loans?
to start or grow businesses—such as opening a food stall, buying sewing machines to run a tailoring shop, raising chickens or goats to sell, or purchasing farm tools and seeds
Name 3 ways Apartheid was unfair to Black Africans
Forced to move to “homelands” - poor rural areas-->Poor schools, little resources, struggling healthcare
Not allowed to move freely throughout country, Had to carry ID, follow curfew
If lived in cities, forced to live in townships (poor urban settlements)-->made up of slum, most homes lacked running water and electricity
Which area in Sudan did the British favor and why?
The North as part of a "divide and conquer" strategy
What was the Biafra War?
a civil war in Nigeria, the southeastern region attempted to secede as the Republic of Biafra due to ethnic tensions, Igbo persecuted for being favored by the British-->leading to widespread famine and death
Often the only place poor women can find to make money is in the informal economy. What is an informal economy?
work people do to earn money without official registration, taxes, or legal protections, such as street vending, domestic work, or selling homemade goods.
Why are women seen as reliable borrowers for microfinance?
More likely to reinvest the money in their families, children’s education, healthcare, etc.
Explain: how did international protests help end apartheid?
International protests, including boycotts, sanctions, and global pressure, helped end apartheid by isolating South Africa economically and politically, forcing the government to negotiate reforms.
-like the Dunnes grocery store protests and student organizing
What are the two current sides fighting?
SAF and RSF
Explain an example of neocolonialism
-China’s Belt and Road Initiative,
-France's continued economic control
-the diamond/cobalt mining industries
-and more
Explain one of the critiques of micro-finance
high interest rates and pressure to repay can trap poor borrowers in debt instead of lifting them out of poverty.
What is the state of racial inequality and segregation in South Africa today?
economic and residential patterns largely reflecting the apartheid era, leaving Black South Africans with lower incomes, limited access to quality education, and segregated neighborhoods.
What are the RSF and the UAE accused of?
accused by the US and UN of supporting human rights abuses, including funding militias and contributing to violence in conflicts like Sudan’s civil wars.