Cookie Policy

Our website uses cookies to understand content and feature usage to drive site improvements over time. To learn more, review our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

OER Logo

Comparing Women's Roles in Decolonization Efforts

Page 1 of 6
Checkmark Alert Banner
Did you know? You can access an editable version of this activity: Google Doc or Word Doc
OER PROJECT: WH 1750/ LESSON8.4ACTIVITYCOMPARISON: WOMEN’S ROLES IN DECOLONIZATION EFFORTSUnless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Comparison: Women’s Roles in Decolonization Efforts,” OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/1PurposeThis activity helps reveal the struggles that women faced as they attempted to throw off colonial rule in Africa in the twentieth century. By comparing women’s involvement in anticolonial movements across different regions of Africa, you will see how the fight for equality is not something that is confined to the distant past but rather continues to shape the lives of women around the world.ProcessPart 1: Identifying and describing1.Read“Decolonizing Women,” and then complete as much of the Comparison Tool as you can (you’ll be doing additional research that may help you fill in the blanks). As you read, look for answers to the questions below to guide your reading (you’ll answer these questions in the tool). •Community:What, if any, social privileges did women have in precolonial compared to colonial times?•Networks:How did women work together to combat oppression?•Production anddistribution:What role did women play in the economy before, during, and after colonialism?2.In addition, thinkabout this prompt, which you’ll use to outline a comparison essay at the end of this activity: Compare and contrast the ways in which colonialism changed the lives of women in Nigeria, Egypt, and Algeria.3.After you fill out as much of the Comparison Tool as you can, make sure you move onto Part 2, which followsthe tool.
OER PROJECT: WH 1750/ LESSON8.4ACTIVITYCOMPARISON: WOMEN’S ROLES IN DECOLONIZATION EFFORTS2Comparison ToolTopic of comparisonPart 1: Identifying and describingCases you’re comparingTime periodLocationCommunityWhat, if any, social privileges did women have in precolonial 7mes compared to colonial 7mes?
OER PROJECT: WH 1750/ LESSON8.4ACTIVITYCOMPARISON: WOMEN’S ROLES IN DECOLONIZATION EFFORTS3Similari7esDifferencesNetworksHow did women work together to combat oppression?Similari7esDifferences
OER PROJECT: WH 1750/ LESSON8.4ACTIVITYCOMPARISON: WOMEN’S ROLES IN DECOLONIZATION EFFORTS4Produc7on and distribu7onWhat role did women play in the economy before, during, and a=er colonialism?Similari7esDifferencesPart 2: Research1.Next,you’ll do independent research on Nigeria, Egypt, or Algeria. Your teacher will either assign you a country, or let you choose. Use the linked Research Cardsto organize and recordyour findings, and to track information for each source.2.Once you have found relevant information from at least two sources, strengthen your answers for Part 1 of the Comparison Tool with your findings. Make sure you cite your outside sources in the tool. 3.Your teachermay have you work in a group ofthree with at least one student representing each country. Identify the similarities and differences between the experiences of women in each of these cases.
OER PROJECT: WH 1750/ LESSON8.4ACTIVITYCOMPARISON: WOMEN’S ROLES IN DECOLONIZATION EFFORTS5Part 3: Analyzing1.If youwere going to write two essays about the similarities and/or differences you’ve identified for this topic, what are two claim/thesis statements you might use? Write one claimstatement about similarities and one about differences.Reminder: You can use ADE (amount, depth, and endurance) to help determine historical significance.•Amount—Think about how many people were affected by the similarities/differences.•Depth—Think about how strongly people were affected by the similarities/differences.•Endurance—Think about how long these similarities/differences impacted people.Claim1:SimilaritiesWhat was the most significant similarity between women’s decolonization experiences in these three nations?Claim2:DifferencesWhat was the most significant difference between women’s decolonization experiences in these three nations?
OER PROJECT: WH 1750/ LESSON8.4ACTIVITYCOMPARISON: WOMEN’S ROLES IN DECOLONIZATION EFFORTS62.Use your thesis statements to outline a comparison essay in response to this prompt: Compare and contrast the ways in which colonialism changed the lives of women in TWO of the following regions: Nigeria, Egypt, and Algeria. Plan your outline as a five-orsix-paragraph essay with an introduction, body paragraphs with evidence, and a conclusion.