Imperialism in the Congo By Rebeca Mattie Chad

Imperialism in the Congo By: Rebeca, Mattie, Chad Per. 3

Motivations for Imperialism • Economic Needs • A need for raw materials that were not domestically available and those raw materials were abundant in Africa. • Social Darwinism • Only the strongest nations survive and only the strongest nations have colonies in Africa.

Motivations for Imperialism • Adventure • Inspired by stories of Dr. Livingstone, people wanted the excitement of adventure. • Missionaries/ “The white man’s burden” • Europeans felt that they needed to civilize the rest of the world. They also felt that they needed to convert everyone in Africa to Christianity.

Imperial Power Gained Control • Henry Stanley was hired to find Dr. Livingstone and he became famous with his saying, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume? ” • This new fame encouraged King Leopold of Belgium to hire Stanley • Stanley surveyed the basin of the Upper Congo River and traced the course of the Congo River • To control land in the Congo, Leopold founded the International Association of the Congo

Imperial Power Gained Control • Stanley began to sign treaties with over 450 native chiefs from the Congo • As a result, Leopold gained rule of these lands given up by the chiefs • In 1885, after the Berlin Conference, Leopold was given personal rule over the newly declared Congo Free State • Leopold had what he wanted because other European powers recognized his hold over Congo

Effects of Imperialism on Congolese • Ideas were forced on them and lots of repression and assimilation molded them daily. • Africans had a restriction of movement and had to live in villages or shantytowns. • They didn’t have nearly as much freedom or rights as the white people. • Africans were treated brutally everyday. • They had very poor working conditions

Effects of Imperialism on Congolese Continued • They were forced to collect sap from rubber plants by European Companies that King Leopold II issued. • A near 10 million Congolese died from the brutality of Leopold’s rule. • Humanitarians all around the world wanted big changes because of the horrible acts of Leopold. • The Belgium Government took control in 1908, away from the vicious Leopold. • There was slavery throughout Africa and they were beaten and forced to work but that would soon be over because they were going to gain independence from Belgium soon.

Imperial Power removed in Congo • In 1908 the Congo was surrendered by King Leopold II to Belgium. • It was renamed the Belgium Congo. • Working conditions were harsh but the Belgium rule improved them significantly. • People began to demand self rule. • The Belgium government agreed to give their political power to the people because they were so confident that they would later regain control. • The Belgium Government was wrong, on June 30, 1960, Congo gained their independence. • Joseph Kasavubu and Patrick Lumumba were the new president and prime minister of the Belgium Congo.

Current Status • The full name of the former imperialized nation is the Democratic Republic of the Congo • A constitution in 2005 divided the country into 26 almost selfgoverning provinces • After 4 years of instability between 2 different constitutions, they are now settling into a stable presidential democratic republic • Population has increased by 6 million since 1997

Current Status • The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a developing country with many valuable resources • Economy has declined drastically since mid -1980 s • This is as a result of the First and Second Civil Wars that have reduced national output, increased debt, and killed more than 5 million people • Most citizens are farmers • Wars have made women of almost no value and they are not treated as equals • Many children are not able to attend school because of enrollment fees • Many languages and cultures make it difficult for the nation to be united