How can a country composed of well-structured traditional societies fail to succeed as a state?

WATCH: Congo and Africa’s World War: Crash Course

Watch: Afrique, Je Te Plumerai

WATCH: The Wind of Change

READ: Primary Sources:

Lord Lugard, Indirect Rule in Tropical Africa (pp. 228-236 only)

Edgar Canisius, Rubber Collecting in the Congo

READ: Primary Documents

ESSAY PROMPT: COLONIAL LEGACIES AND NEOCOLONIAL CONTROL

In Afrique Je te Plumerai, the filmmaker, Jean Marie Teno, asks the question: “How can a country composed of well-structured traditional societies fail to succeed as a state?” He sets out to answer that question in the context of Cameroon.

Focusing on Cameroon and Congo (you may choose to also bring in in support from other African countries that we have studied in Modules 4, 5, and 6), and incorporating relevant videos, readings, and primary sources from above, how would you respond to Teno’s question? Why had so many African countries failed as modern states by the mid-1990s. Think about your response in political, economic, and socio-cultural terms and bring in specific examples and voices to support your arguments. What historical circumstances have fostered failure and hindered the success of independent African countries?

Don’t forget that there are a number of primary sources mentioned within the secondary books you read. Also, remember, Africa is NOT a country and you should be wary of talking about “Africans” in the general sense too often. Different things happened in different places at different times. Be sure to analyze and discuss these differences.

The essay should be between 1,200 and 1,800 words