Diamond Trade in Africa

Julia L.

What is my research topic? What are keywords I used to research?

• My research topic is the Diamond Trade in Africa.
• Some keywords I used to help my research are: diamond trade-Africa, diamond trade, trade, and diamonds-Africa.

What does the diamond trade mean? What is the definition or description of the diamond trade?

• The diamond trade is when diamonds are mined and sold for profit.
• Most of the mining happens in South Africa but is popular in other parts of Africa too.
• Many people mine for diamonds illegally.
• They mine because diamonds are very popular and can be sold for very high prices.
• Illegal diamond mining has caused much suffering throughout Africa.

Why is the diamond trade important in Africa?

• It is important in Africa because it provides people with job opportunities.
•  Since it takes a lot of people and it pays really well many people want to do it.
• Since it pays really well people get more money and don't have to live in poverty.
• It is also important because it not only brings money and happiness, but has caused much human suffering in parts of Africa.
• It is important it also causes a lot of pain because often the money brought in for them is used to buy guns and other weapons.

Why is the diamond trade a problem or issue in Africa?

• It is a problem because since diamonds are sold so well people illegally mine for them.
• The money that comes from the diamonds help fund wars that don't need to happen.
• The illegal mining and selling of diamonds by rebels provides the money needed to buy guns and other weapons that not only fight armies but injure and kill innocent civilians.
•  The weapons bought were used to drive people out of their homes.
• They also killed innocent men, women, and children!

How does the diamond trade affect the people who live in Africa?

• It affects people because people get illegal jobs to mine and then are hunted by the government.
• Diamond money also helps fund wars.
• It gives many, many people jobs whether they are illegal or not.
• It also affects them because the guns bought by diamonds are used to injure and kill innocent civilians, most of them, children.
• Many people get driven out of their homes by weapons bought by diamonds.

What does the rest of the world (NOT Africa) think about the diamond trade? What is the global reaction to the diamond trade?

• The rest of the world thinks it is fine.
• They only know about a few wars caused by the diamond trade.
• They think it is just a small problem that can be solved easily.
•  Only a few people know of all the suffering caused by illegal mining.
•  Only a few people know that many, many wars are caused by the illegal mining of diamonds.

What can be done to help the problem of the diamond trade? What is being done to correct the diamond trade?

• There could be guards around the mines 24/7.
•  They could give all the legal miners badges that the guards approved so the could go to the mines.
• The badges could also be for store owners to check before letting them buy anything with diamonds.
•  I don't know if anything is being done to correct the diamond trade.
•  But I do hope something is being done for the sake of all the innocent people that are injured and killed because of illegal miming.

What is my personal opinion of the diamond trade? How do I react and feel about the diamond trade?

• I think the legal part of the diamond trade is fine.
• I mean, I love diamonds.
•  But it makes me sick to think of all the people getting killed by weapons bought by illegal miners.
• I think that the illegal miners must be pretty desperate.
• They are willing to break the law and kill tons of innocent people for money.

Bibliography and Works Cited

This webpage was created for educational purposes by: Julia L.

Made on: March 25, 2008 08:03 AM

Mrs. Jaubert-Smith's 6th Grade Social Studies Class.

Forbes Middle School

Georgetown, Texas