Why is Africa so poor? Economic historian Nathan Nunn explores the long-term effects of Africa’s slave trades. This video is part of our schools series ‘Why isn’t the whole world developed?’, which draws on economic history to understand the effect of colonisation and imperial interventions. Here, we have a video, a shortened version of the academic paper exploring this question, as well as some teacher notes for delivering this information in the classroom. The project is delivered by Discover Economics and the CAGE Research Centre. Please visit https://www.discovereconomics.co.uk/ for further information.

Are Africa’s Colonial Borders Holding it Back? During the 19th century European colonisers partitioned Africa, separating ethnic groups. The borders created during this so-called ‘scramble for Africa’ had long term consequences on political and social stability, as Stelios Michalopoulos explains. This video is part of our schools series ‘Why isn’t the whole world developed?’, which draws on economic history to understand the effect of colonisation and imperial interventions. Here, we have a video, a shortened version of the academic paper exploring this question, as well as some teacher notes for delivering this information in the classroom. The project is delivered by Discover Economics and the CAGE Research Centre. Please visit https://www.discovereconomics.co.uk/ for further information.

In 1947, the year of its independence from the British Empire, India was one of the poorest countries in the world. Did colonial rule lower living standards? Bishnu Gupta explores the fascinating story of India’s decline and growth from 1600 to 1950. Here, we have a video, a shortened version of the academic paper exploring this question, a student worksheet, and some teacher notes for delivering this information in the classroom. This video is part of our schools series ‘Why isn’t the whole world developed?’, which draws on economic history to understand the effect of colonisation and imperial interventions. The project is delivered by Discover Economics and the CAGE Research Centre. Please visit https://www.discovereconomics.co.uk/ for further information.

Did the slave trade make Britain rich? Economists explore the increase in growth and the impact of slave wealth on the Industrial Revolution. This video and accompanying lesson are part of our schools series ‘Why isn’t the whole world developed?’, which draws on economic history to understand the effect of colonisation and imperial interventions. The resource consists of a fully-planned 1-hour (or similar) lesson, with differentiated tasks, resources, and teacher notes in the lesson plan. The project is delivered by Discover Economics and the CAGE Research Centre. Please visit https://www.discovereconomics.co.uk for further information. Transcript

This lesson introduces our Young Economist of the Year competition for 2024, and talks students through the process of planning and crafting a response to one of our five questions: Do you think the government should subsidise the purchase of electric cars? What is the economic impact of the growing gig economy? What are the economic arguments for and against a one off cost of living payment for all individuals? What long term changes to the labour market might be expected post pandemic? Should the government tax goods that are unhealthy? The lesson has videos, activities and support for students in creating an entry for our competition. Students in Years 10 - 13 are invited to consider real-world economic problems, and be in with a chance of being published in the Financial Times. Please note: the videos were too large to put on the PowerPoint, so links to the YouTube videos are in the lesson plan!

Did colonialism really cause poverty? Development Economist Lakshmi Iyer explores the long-term consequences of colonial rule. This video and accompanying lesson are part of our schools series ‘Why isn’t the whole world developed?’, which draws on economic history to understand the effect of colonisation and imperial interventions. The lesson includes a fully-resourced 1-hour (or similar) lesson, with worksheets, prompts and differentiated tasks. The project is delivered by Discover Economics and the CAGE Research Centre. Please visit https://www.discovereconomics.co.uk/ for further information.

During colonial rule, some African communities were forced to receive medical treatments that were painful, debilitating and sometimes fatal. The experience has affected trust in modern medicine, as Sara Lowes explains. Here, we have a video, a shortened version of the academic paper exploring this question, as well as some teacher notes for delivering this information in the classroom. This video is part of our schools series ‘Why isn’t the whole world developed?’, which draws on economic history to understand the effect of colonisation and imperial interventions. The project is delivered by Discover Economics and the CAGE Research Centre. Please visit https://www.discovereconomics.co.uk/ for further information.

All nations are governed by laws or structures that control how people are allowed to act. But what happens when these rules don’t protect the rights of most of the population? James Robinson explains why nations once under colonial rule are still paying the price today. Here, we have a video, a shortened version of the academic paper exploring this question, as well as some teacher notes for delivering this information in the classroom. This video is part of our schools series ‘Why isn’t the whole world developed?’, which draws on economic history to understand the effects of colonisation and imperial interventions on the economies of Africa and India. The project is delivered by Discover Economics and the CAGE Research Centre. Please visit https://www.discovereconomics.co.uk/ for further information.