How Does Belgium Control The Congo?
Without the colonization of Tanganyika, resources may have not been obtained as easily and may require more force. B. Congo Free State was a colony to Belgium, specifically King Leopold II. Leopold took control of the country and began leeching the resources from the lands, such as ivory, palm oil, and rubber. In return, handles, soap and candles, and waterproof clothes were made.
They faced great death and famine because of the sudden outbreaks of war. In 1960, the Congo becomes independent from Belgium and things get better (BBC News “Democratic Republic of Congo profile – Timeline”). In the time leading to the independence of the Congolese people elected a president, prime minister, a Senate, and an assembly (U.S. Department of State “MILESTONES: 1961–1968”). During this time, President Eisenhower and his entire administration hoped that the Republic of Congo would become a stable pro- Western central government (U.S. Department of State “MILESTONES: 1961–1968”) and be more like the United States of America.
Thousands killed in the Leopold outbreak. King Leopold should be condemned for his brutal actions, and for making the population more then half in population, like in Lukolela “The population in the villages of Lukolela in January 1891 must have been not less than 6,000 people, but when I counted the whole population in Lukolela at the end of December 1896. I found it to be only 719… but judge of my heartache when on counting them all again on Friday and Saturday last, to find only a population of 352 people.” (Document 5) In 1800-1900’s, King Leopold wanted to and planned to take control of the Congo people.
All of these resources were mined there. The Congo was under European rule from 1885 to 1908. The people of the Congo were affected in entirely adverse ways by Belgian colonial rule, not only were the Congolese people tortured physically. Their resources were plundered, and Belgian colonial rule despite outcry set the tone for how the Congo is treated today.
Africa was a giant magnificent cake. Many countries scrambled to cut into it and claim their own pieces of it as if it was theirs for the taking. The last unconquered piece of land was up for grabs which evoked top nations into sending explorers to claim the land for them. Africa during the rule of King Leopold II had many unexplored areas included his newly acquired land the Congo. The King’s charm, altered treaties, and a money hungry drive have all lead to the underlying problem of exploitation of the natives.
Villages turned on each other for the Belgians amusement. The Belgians deemed the Congolese to be less superior and hurt those who did not follow their
Also Wood describes, “This Aladdin’s cave of treasure is Congo’s great fortune, but is also her greatest blight” (49). Many country want part of all this treasured but taking of advantage of its undeveloped stage. Many countries come to Congo to obtain its valuable resource but not only take its resource but influence the country government. In 1960 after the Belgian regime Patrice Lumumba wanted to be president. This man had different ideas that many did not like as the Americans.
Belgian occupied Africa in 1994 favouring the Tutsis over the Hutus giving them more privileges . Both of these groups developed a sense of nationalism, feeling victimized by one another, this sense of nationalism led to Ultranationalism among these groups causing tension among the groups. Extreme forms of Hutu nationalism fueled by propaganda led to a 100-day bloodbath in which caused mass casualties between these groups. Stirred feeling of nationalism in hopes of a better future increased tensions between these two groups leading to genocide. Ultranationalistic leaders used pride and devotion on one’s country as justification for the actions and racist
Imperialism at Its Finest In just a few short decades, Imperialism induced a worldwide culture shift that will remain effective forever. Imperialism is complete political, social, and economic control of another country. The craze for such power took place in the late 19th century when a rush for economic power and cultural superiority drove nations to taking control over other countries, often with no shortage of blood on their hands. Specific examples of Imperialism can be seen in Ireland under Britain’s rule and the African Congo under Belgium’s rule. One example of Imperialism is when the British completely overtook Ireland during The Potato Blight in the 1840-50s.
Since African kingdoms in those times were not as developed, it was easy for Europe to conquer African land and soon enough the mad scramble for Africa began. As result in 1884, the Partition of Africa took place (Doc A). In order to avoid disputation between nations, Otto Man Bismarck arranged the Belgian Conference where these nations divided Africa peacefully. The most powerful countries, France and Britain, received the most land(Doc A). This further proves that European nations truly believe they showed power through the amount of land they conquered.
When King Leopold established the Congo Free State, he destroyed the link between the Congolese people and their homeland (Kenneth). King Leopold made one single country between Belgium and Congo. He combined the ethnicities of both of these cultures, taking away the Congolese people’s heritage and culture. In addition to this, the Roman Catholic Church forced their religion and values on the Congolese people, taking away their beliefs, and using violence if necessary. The Belgians forced their values upon the Congolese people in order to assimilate their religion and gain more power.
King Leopold II was the ruler of Belgium from 1865 - 1909. On February 5, 1885, The Congo Free State was established. This was a state 76x larger than Belgium, also ruled by Leopold II. In the Congo Free State, 10 million Africans died from war, starvation, birth reduction, and diseases, and there was a great loss of land. King Leopold was fully responsible for all of the effects of the Congo Free State on its people and the region.
Lets first talk about both countries gaining their independence. In 1849, France began to take over Guinea, a country located in western Africa in 1849. Before then, they country were being ruled by the Muslims. Alongside, other European countries such as the Portuguese people, and British also began to take over other African countries such as Liberia, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, etc. At this point, all the African countries were being taken over by the three European countries.
Today in the early 1900’s, Europe has divided up Africa between many European countries. Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Portugal all took their fair share in choosing and dividing their colonies in Africa. Now most of the European countries rule their government from all the way in Africa. Today in the early 1900’s, Europe has divided up Africa between many European countries. Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Portugal all took their fair share in choosing and dividing their colonies in Africa.
From King Leopold’s Public Letter, he says “The task which Belgian agents have to accomplish in the Congo is noble. It is incumbent upon them to carry on the work of civilization in Africa. The aim is to regenerate races whose degradation and misfortune is hard to realize.” Through those words, King Leopold, the king of Belgium, was trying to show the other countries that he was a
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