One of history's most dangerous myths - Anneliese Mehnert
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TEDEd Animation
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From the 1650s through the late 1800’s, European colonists descended on South Africa. They sought to claim the region, becoming even more aggressive after discovering the area’s abundant natural resources. To support their claims to the land, the colonizers asserted they were settling in empty land devoid of local people. Was this argument true? Anneliese Mehnert debunks the Empty Land Theory.
History is filled with stories of how myths and lies were created to justify a political and economic outcome, with serious social affects in the present. Please describe a social situation in your country, city, town or community which was created and exacerbated by a historical myth or lie. Remember to think about economic situations, land ownership and how land was used historically and is now used in the present.
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Meet The Creators
- Educator Anza Mehnert
- Director Héloïse Dorsan Rachet
- Narrator Christina Greer
- Composer Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio
- Sound Designer Amanda P.H. Bennett, cAMP Studio
- Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
- Produced by Abdallah Ewis, Anna Bechtol
- Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
- Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
- Script Editor Soraya Field Fiorio
- Fact-Checker Charles Wallace
