6: Imperialism Through an Economic Lens: What Are the Long-Standing Consequences of British and French Colonization in Africa?

In this chapter, the author focuses on a comparative economic analysis of French and British approaches to African colonization for the high school economics classroom. First, a brief historical overview with the 1884 Berlin Conference is given. Next, the author discusses the differences between British and French policies toward African colonies. Then, the author articulates how high school students’ economic thinking skills are strengthened by examining British and French policies toward their African colonies through the Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Blueprint offered. The steps and resources needed to implement the IDM Blueprint for the high school economics classroom to examine the “Scramble for Africa” are provided.