Conflict Diamond Webquest
Today you will be investigating 'Conflict Diamonds' through this webquest to understand how they have become a reason for conflict and how that are used to fuel conflict.
Until recently, Koidu, Sierra Leone, was held by rebel forces that used diamonds to fund their rebellion. The civil war began by rebel forces trying to overthrow a corrupt government. It soon after descended into a terrorist campaign with thousands maimed and killed. The people of Koidu knew whoever controlled the diamonds could control the war. Rebels forced men, women, and children to dig for diamonds at gunpoint. Even the floors of their homes were dug up. These diamonds were smuggled into the world market, cut and polished, disappearing into the legal supply. They were sold to consumers who had no idea they had been originally paid for “in blood."
The webquest is designed to create an interactive learning environment that you can progress through at your own pace.
Until recently, Koidu, Sierra Leone, was held by rebel forces that used diamonds to fund their rebellion. The civil war began by rebel forces trying to overthrow a corrupt government. It soon after descended into a terrorist campaign with thousands maimed and killed. The people of Koidu knew whoever controlled the diamonds could control the war. Rebels forced men, women, and children to dig for diamonds at gunpoint. Even the floors of their homes were dug up. These diamonds were smuggled into the world market, cut and polished, disappearing into the legal supply. They were sold to consumers who had no idea they had been originally paid for “in blood."
The webquest is designed to create an interactive learning environment that you can progress through at your own pace.
The Process
To accomplish this task you will click on the links below to find information, this could be a video, podcast or newspaper article.
To complete your webquest you need to answer the questions attached to each link and submit your final webquest answers to the Social Science Google Classroom.
Let's Get Started
Live Science - How Diamonds are Made
1. How are diamonds made naturally?
2. How are synthetic diamonds made?
How diamonds fuel Africa's conflicts
3. What are conflict diamonds?
4. Why are conflict diamonds a problem?
Stuff You Missed in History Class - Podcast
5. What countries are affected by the conflict diamond trade?
6. Who are the RUF (Revolutionary United Front)? What country are they from? What do they want?
7. What steps does the article encourage in order to avoid purchasing a conflict diamond?
OPTIONAL Section below...
CNN: What are 'conflict diamonds?' - Watch Video and Read Article
8. What do conflict diamonds help fund?
The Kimberley Process
9. What is the Kimberly Process?
10. What is its limitations?
Time Magazine: Blood Diamond
11. What concerns does this article raise?
Blood Diamond Environmental Impact
12. What is the environmental impact of diamond mining?