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Resisting Colonialism

Driving Question: How did colonized people resist colonial control?

Empires used a variety of strategies to enforce their rule and expand their reach. Still, everywhere they expanded, empires met resistance. Colonized people resisted in many ways, from violent revolt to quieter, everyday forms of noncompliance.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Use evidence to examine the different direct and indirect strategies used to resist colonialism.
  2. Use the historical thinking practice of claim testing to identify, assess, and use authority when evaluating and making claims.
  3. Use a graphic biography to support, extend, or challenge the overarching narratives of this period.
STEP 1

Opener: Resisting Colonialism

STEP 2

Resistance in Ghana

Learn how Ghanaians challenged colonial rule through everyday resistance and bold leadership. These materials highlight powerful actions taken by individuals and communities to defend their land and dignity.

Experiencing Colonialism: Through a Ghanaian Lens External link

What was it like to live as a colonial subject? Of course, there were many differing experiences, but we can get some answers by looking closely at Ghana as a case study.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 3

Resistance in India

Learn what sparked the 1857 Indian Uprising and how Indian people challenged British colonial rule. This article and comic highlight the pivotal roles individuals played in challenging colonial rule.

STEP 4

Summarizing Resistance

How did people resist colonial rule? With these materials, you’ll read about creative forms of resistance across Southeast Asia, and then test claims about imperialism using real-world examples.

STEP 5

Continuity and Change Over Time

Industrialization didn’t erase the past—it built on it. In this part of the lesson, you’ll look back at global trends from 1200 to 1914 to identify what changed and what stayed the same. Then, you’ll decide which developments mattered most and how they shaped the modern world.

STEP 6

Closer: Resisting Colonialism

In this unit, you explored how industrialization reshaped the world. Now, use what you’ve learned to reflect on how it changed global power and sparked new movements for change.