The Congo in Africa was taken over and controlled by Belgium. Belgium 's ruler, King Leopold II, was the major influence of Congo being controlled by Belgium. The Congo is located in Central Africa and is a landlocked country. The country is one of the largest on the Africa continent. The Congo obtains three mountain ranges, a large river, and has a tropical climate. Between 1884-1885, control of the Congo was granted to King Leopold II and was the beginning of Belgium taking over the Congo. King Leopold II rule over the Congo lasted until 1908, and the Belgian Government took over. The Government proclaimed the Congo as a colony, and in 1960, the control over the Congo ended, giving the country their freedom. During
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
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.
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.
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.
European countries tried to civilize Africa and succeeded in their movement on trying to imperialize them but only lead the Europeans to making a profit and nothing for the African workers. The only independent African states were Ethiopia and Liberia, the rest was ruled over strong European nations, like Britain and France. European nations ruled over Africa from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s, King Leopold was one of the most notorious rulers over the African estates, Leopold ruled over the Congo free state and was considered to be one of the richest near his death. What motivated European nations to imperializing Africa were, money, resources, and nationalism.
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
Many soldiers of the congo were killed during these invasions, and even after the invasions, the violence ceased to decline. Those who would oppose to collect rubber would have their hands and ankles removed, leaving most to bleed out if not left alive completely immobile. It became so violent that once King Leopold was discovered of his brutality, other countries stepped in and the government of Belgium itself wanted Leopold to cease his control of the Congo. Eventually he would give the congo back in 1908, after he was given a hefty compensation, and then died a year later. Imperialism was a race to see who would become a world power.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Belgium was marginalizing the population of the Congo by giving them no say in anything, and profiting of the resources of the area. The people of Congo themselves did not make money off of the resources leaving them powerless and poor, but instead the government of Belgium was the one making all the money. As a result, exploitation of resources hurt the people of the Congo politically, economically and
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.