European Imperialism: Negative Effects Of European Colonization Of The Congo

Safia Geurin

Mr. Robinson

I&S

January 6, 2023

Exploitation of the Congo

The Congo Free State was exploited through European Imperialism. European Imperialism was conquering foreign lands for natural resources and a new market. This is what created a European empire. Belgium colonized the Congo, a region in central Africa. Congo was home to many natural resources, such as rubber and ivory. Congo wasn’t benefiting from trade with Belgium; Congo would export rubber and ivory while Belgium would export articles. Congolese people were forced to collect rubber; if not, they would suffer consequences. European Imperialism negatively affected the Congo free state because the Congolese people were forced to gather rubber, and Belgium profited from Congo’s natural resources.

European Imperialism negatively affected Congolese lives. The Congolese were forced to work all day and were very overworked. The photograph from document 5 shows that the Congolese suffer consequences for not collecting enough rubber. This also indicates that King Leopold II didn’t come to Congo for the well-being of the Congolese but for the well-being of himself. This demonstrates that the Belgians caused the deaths of many people and the loss of natural resources. But it

Document 7 says, “the Congo was exporting increasing quantities of rubber and ivory for which, on the face of the import statistics, the natives were getting nothing or next to nothing.” This document shows that Belgium was making an unfair trade with Congo. Also, document 7 says, “nothing was going in to pay for what was coming out” This shows that Congo was giving more than what Belgium was giving them. This document indicates that Belgium was making an unfair and one-sided trade with Congo. Belgium was trading things that were worth less than what Congo was giving. Congo was giving out expensive items while receiving next to