For Project III, we had to do the thinking skill of reasoning, and I chose to make my project about the impact of British colonialism on nations in Africa and Asia. Beginning in the fifteenth to sixteenth centuries, many European countries, including Britain, began a race to claim all the land in the new, recently discovered and uncharted territories such as the Americas and several parts in Africa. The Age of Exploration, as it became known, was the beginning of a long chain of events that ensnared various African and Asian nations into a trap that embroiled them into centuries of tumult and injustice. Britain pushed ahead in the race for control, and looted and ravaged many countries, including India, Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, and more, and left them reeling in the aftermath. Too many lives were ended, and many more destroyed completely because of a long legacy of racism and prejudice. Many countries are still recovering from this legacy, and I think now is the time to hold the United Kingdom government accountable for that.
History
For History, I made a transcript for a trial that basically brought the British nation in court to be prosecuted for their colonial crimes. I spoke on behalf of the nations impacted, and I used reasoning to back why the British should be found guilty. This trial scene was inspired by the "History On Trial" animated series created by the YouTube Channel TED-ED, in which various controversial historical figures would basically be put "on trial" and judged for their marvels and misdeeds by a modern audience, but ultimately the viewer got to decided how they would view this historical figure based on the evidence presented. I wanted to emulate that scenario, except this time, I would provide evidence and reasoning to prove, without a doubt, that the British government deserved to be held accountable for their crimes.
Art
For Art, I decided to create a small gallery of specific curated pieces of artwork. They each had something to do with British colonialism, and I analyzed each piece of artwork in order to explain how they were used as propaganda pieces by the government. I looked into the history of each piece, and pointed specific things about the artwork that made it effective. In a way, the propaganda in these pieces providing reasoning and justification to the public and the world about their actions. I myself used reasoning to decipher how the propaganda aided in the growth and sustenance of the British Colonial Empire. FUN FACT: This was actually used as evidence in my trial!
Below are my sources and research, both of which were integral to making this project:
Thank you for your time and consideration in viewing this project!