Modern World Conflicts

Name:

Blood DiamondsBackground and Response Questions

Natural Resource Conflicts:
In contrast to the ideological wars fought during the Cold War, modern conflicts often center on the struggle to control
natural resources such as oil, gemstones, minerals, and timber. More and more, the illicit exploitation of resources can
be directly linked to violent conflict, environmental disaster, and human rights violations. In the late 1990s alone, the
number of conflicts nearly tripled, leaving millions dead and tens of millions displaced (Porto).
In some countries, groups fight for access to oil, minerals, gemstones, or timber in order to fund conflicts originally
triggered by other factors such as a struggle for independence or perhaps ethnic or religious tensions. Elsewhere, armed
conflict begins as a struggle for these resources, motivated by either need or greed.
In many instances, resource extraction itself causes conflict, says Michael Renner of Worldwatch. Around the world,
the operations of oil, mining, and logging companies are causing severe tensions with local populations, often
indigenous communities. Typically, these operations confiscate land from local people without proper compensation.
They cause an array of environmental problems by poisoning drinking water, destroying arable land, clear-cutting
forests, and despoiling hunting and fishing grounds [Meanwhile] the economic benefits from resource extraction
mostly accrue to outsiders: the central government, multinational corporations, and assorted foreign investors. Wealth
in loot-able resources (high value goods which can easily be traded or sold) does not necessarily predict war. Conflicts
are generally a result of the combined geographic, political, economic, and military factors which weak en governments
and their economies, while giving rebels the opportunity to mount insurgency campaigns. Nevertheless, the rising
frequency and devastating human right and environmental consequences of these natural resource conflicts demands
increased awareness and immediate action.
Blood Diamond Character List:
Danny Archer (Leonardo di Caprio)Rhodesian Mercenary and Smuggler
Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly)American Journalist
Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou)Sierra Leonean Fisherman
Dia VandySolomons son
Jassie VandySolomons wife
BenjaminSchool Teacher
Captain PoisonRUF Commander
Cordell BrownRansacked Archers apartment
Colonel CoetzeeArchers mercenary boss
Ambassador WalkerUS Ambassador in UN Blood Diamond Talks
Van de KaapHead of diamond company
Influencing Groups in Blood Diamond Industry:
Government of Sierra Leone
Diamond Industry
Government of Belgium
Government of Liberia
United States Government
The United Nations
Aid Organizations
The RUF
Consumer
Activists

Influencing Factors on the Blood Diamond Industry:

a) War in Sierra Leone Affected by East/West tensions and the rebel groups struggle for power after
independence and withdrawal of colonial power of Great Britain
b) United Nations Affected by the needs and policies of multinational corporations (such as DeBeers (Van de
Kaap in the film) and international politics
c) Diamond Industry Affected by UN sanctions (penalty for breaking laws) and consumer/market economy
(controlling supply and demand of diamonds)
d) Child Soldiers Affected by lack of troops for rebel forces and ease of obtaining small arms and training young
children compared to adult soldiers
Response Questions:
During the film and after, answer 3 of the following questionsin a paragraph of 6-8 sentences eachto evaluate your
understanding of the issues presented, the conflicts of the Sierra Leone
1. What human rights issues were illustrated in the film? What international laws are in place to stop or
prevent those abuses? What groups can be involved in civil war situations such as this in order to limit the
violence of a conflictin this instance or in the future?
2. After the RUF burns Solomons village, they chop off the hands of the villagers. What is the significance of
this action? What does it symbolize? Do you think the violence depicted in the film is necessary to accurately
portray the situation in Sierra Leone in 1999?
3. What tactics does the RUF use to turn children into soldiers? Why do you think this was done? What could
be done by outside forces to limit the use of child soldiers in this instance and elsewhere?
4. Though the film focuses on the devastation of war, it also deals with reconciliation, rehabilitation, and hope.
What are some specific scenes that deal with these topics? How can the country begin to reconcile and
recover from the effects of war? How can the international community be involved to help create a new
peaceful nation?