Homework: The Reckoning

Date assigned

Wednesday, Oct. 14

Assignment

Read "The Reckoning" by the beginning of class on Friday, Oct. 16.  Answer the following questions by the beginning of class on Tuesday, Oct. 20:

1) Why does the author argue that the killings in the Congo were NOT considered to be genocide?

2) Why is it difficult to determine exactly how many people died in the Congo under Belgian rule?

3) What were the four sources of death associated with the decrease in population in the Congo under Belgian rule?

4) What methods did Belgians use to kill people in the Congo?

5) There were many actions that could cause a Congolese person to be killed by Belgians during Belgian rule.  Describe them.

6) Why was malnutrition so widespread in the Congo during Belgian rule?

7) Why was disease such an effective killer in the Congo during Belgian rule?

8) Why did the birth rate decrease so much in the Congo during Belgian rule?

9) What percentage of the people of the Congo died during Belgian rule?  What was the total number of people who died?

10) The author compares the mass killing in the Congo to at least three other mass killings in the 1900s.  Pick one of these.  In your opinion, was it worse than the mass killing in the Congo?  Why or why not?

11) According to the author, why is it so difficult to stop a mass killing once it has begun?

12) In your opinion, what was the worst aspect of Belgian imperialism in the Congo?

Due date

Reading - Friday, Oct. 16

Questions - Tuesday, Oct. 20