Factors That Delayed Kiribati’s Independence

Introduction

Imagine you are a young historian in Kiribati. Your job is to investigate what happened before Kiribati became an independent country in 1979.

Before independence, there were important issues involving the Ellice Islands and Banaba. Your group will investigate these issues and discover how they affected the journey toward independence.

 

Task

You are now a History Investigator!

Work in groups of 3–4 students. Investigate your assigned topic using the websites provided by your teacher.

Your group must:

  1. Find important facts.
  2. Answer the questions.
  3. Make a small poster.
  4. Present your findings to the class.
  5. Explain how your issue was connected to Kiribati's journey toward independence.

Process

Step 1 – Join your group

       Step 1 – Join your group

Groups of 3–4.

Step 2 – Choose your investigation

Group Investigation
Group 1 Ellicean Issue
Group 2 Banaban Issue
Group 3 Kiribati Independence

Step 3 – Explore the resources

Click the website provided for your group.

Australian mining company prospects Banaba Island once more | ABC News 

Kiribati Independence

Step 4 – Answer your questions

Write your answers in your worksheet.

Step 5 – Make your poster

Your poster should include:

  • Topic
  • 3–5 important facts
  • Important dates
  • What happened
  • How it affected the journey to independence
  • One picture or drawing

Step 6 – Present

Each group gets 2–3 minutes to present.                                                                                                                                                  

Individual WebQuest Questions

After the group work, give every student these questions:

  1. What was the Ellicean Issue?
  2. Why did the Ellice Islands want to separate?
  3. What was the Banaban Issue?
  4. How did phosphate mining affect Banaba?
  5. What happened to many Banaban people?

  6. When did Kiribati become independent?

     

    Challenge question

    If you were a leader in Kiribati before independence, what would you have done to solve the Ellicean and Banaban issues? Why?

 

Evaluation

Criteria 3 – Excellent 2 – Good 1 – Needs Work
Research Found accurate information Found some information Little information
Understanding Clearly explains the issue Gives some explanation Explanation is unclear
Independence Clearly connects issue to independence Makes some connection Cannot make connection
Poster Clear and organized Mostly clear Difficult to understand
Presentation Clear and confident Understandable Needs more practice

 

Conclusion

Kiribati did not become independent immediately. Before independence, important issues involving the Ellice Islands and Banaba had to be addressed. The Ellice Islands eventually became Tuvalu, while Banaba remained part of Kiribati. Finally, Kiribati became independent on 12 July 1979. Kiribati did not become independent immediately. Before independence, important issues involving the Ellice Islands and Banaba had to be addressed. The Ellice Islands eventually became Tuvalu, while Banaba remained part of Kiribati. Finally, Kiribati became independent on 12 July 1979.