Erin Watson Topic 2
The Congo
Colonial rule in the Congo
Between 1878 - 1959 the Congo was ruled by Belgian authorities.
The King of Belgium, Léopold II - formally acquired rights to the Congo
territory at the Conference of Berlin in 1885.
Léopold II
o Made the land his own personal private property.
o 29 May 1885 named his new colony the Congo Free State.
o The state would eventually include an area now held by the
Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Exploitation of the Congolese people
Léopold II ruthlessly exploited the country’s people & raw materials.
o Especially its supplies of ivory & rubber.
His reign in the Congo became an international scandal:
o large-scale mistreatment of the indigenous peoples.
o included frequent mutilation & murder of men, women & children
to enforce rubber production quotas.
Nearly 10 million people, half the population of the Belgian Congo,
died under Léopold’s rule.
Congolese people were not prepared for
independence
By the late 1950s, the Congo was considered to be the wealthiest of
Africa’s colonies.
o Every year, exports of palm-oil, cotton & coffee earned £53 million
for the country.
Belgians in charge of the Congo - mistakenly thought that this wealth,
combined with their leadership, meant that the African population
would be happy to be ruled by the Belgians forever.
o Therefore, had made little attempt to prepare the country for
independence.
Page 1 of 20
,Erin Watson Topic 2
World War II & the rise of African Nationalism
During World War II - rise of African nationalism across the continent of
Africa.
Inspired people in the Congo to form nationalist movements.
1958 - Joseph Kasavuba formed the Alliance des Ba-Kongo (ABAKO).
1958 - Patrice Lumumba formed the Mouvement National Congolais (MNC).
1959 Rioting in the Congo
1959 - Congo sees violent riots in Leopoldville (now called Kinshasa)
the country’s capital.
o Congolese demonstrators destroy government buildings and
churches.
o Congolese people show their anger & frustration at widespread
unemployment, discrimination and overcrowding.
The Belgians panic at the violence, and agree to end colonial rule BUT…
o The Belgians try to go back on their agreement.
o October 1959 - riots erupt in the north of the Congo.
o 26 Congolese are killed in the unrest.
o Patrice Lumumba is arrested for inciting violence &
sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.
1960 Congo granted independence from Belgium
rule
the Congo.
o Elections highlight the divisions among ethnic groups in the
Congo.
o Congo vulnerable to power struggles.
30 June 1960 - Congo is granted independence.
o Belgium hands over power to the Congo.
o Patrice Lumumba - named Prime Minister.
o Joseph Kasavubu - named President.
o Lumumba makes sure that the army consists of Congolese
officers.
o Lumumba promotes his personal secretary, Joseph Mobutu to
Army Chief of Staff.
Page 2 of 20
, Erin Watson Topic 2
1960 Katanga secedes from the Congo
11 July 1960 - mineral-rich province of Katanga led by Moise Tshombe
secedes from the Congo.
o Tshombe declares Katanga a separate and independent territory
that will no longer be part of the Congo.
Belgium’s response
o Belgium has strong economic interests in preserving
access in Katanga.
o Sends troops & military technology to help Tshombe.
Lumumba calls on the UN to assist
o Lumumba needs help in removing the Belgian presence
in Katanga.
o Belgians are violating the Congo’s independence.
o Belgium’s involvement destabilising the country.
UN refuses to help
UN initially refuses to help Lumumba put down the Katanga rebellion.
o They see as Congo’s domestic concern.
Lumumba asks the USSR to help squash the Katanga rebellion.
o Results in the massacre of hundreds of civilians.
Lumumba’s actions transform the Congolese crisis into a new zone of Cold
War rivalry.
American response to the Katanga Crisis
US President Eisenhower furious that Lumumba has involved the
USSR.
o By asking for Soviet assistance Lumumba had allowed the SU to
start forming a power base in the heart of Africa.
The CIA becomes involved.
o Eisenhower authorises the CIA to “eliminate” Lumumba i.e to
have Lumumba assassinated.
o Tshombe of Katanga & Belgian authorities accept the CIA’s
plan to assassinate Lumumba.
Page 3 of 20
The Congo
Colonial rule in the Congo
Between 1878 - 1959 the Congo was ruled by Belgian authorities.
The King of Belgium, Léopold II - formally acquired rights to the Congo
territory at the Conference of Berlin in 1885.
Léopold II
o Made the land his own personal private property.
o 29 May 1885 named his new colony the Congo Free State.
o The state would eventually include an area now held by the
Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Exploitation of the Congolese people
Léopold II ruthlessly exploited the country’s people & raw materials.
o Especially its supplies of ivory & rubber.
His reign in the Congo became an international scandal:
o large-scale mistreatment of the indigenous peoples.
o included frequent mutilation & murder of men, women & children
to enforce rubber production quotas.
Nearly 10 million people, half the population of the Belgian Congo,
died under Léopold’s rule.
Congolese people were not prepared for
independence
By the late 1950s, the Congo was considered to be the wealthiest of
Africa’s colonies.
o Every year, exports of palm-oil, cotton & coffee earned £53 million
for the country.
Belgians in charge of the Congo - mistakenly thought that this wealth,
combined with their leadership, meant that the African population
would be happy to be ruled by the Belgians forever.
o Therefore, had made little attempt to prepare the country for
independence.
Page 1 of 20
,Erin Watson Topic 2
World War II & the rise of African Nationalism
During World War II - rise of African nationalism across the continent of
Africa.
Inspired people in the Congo to form nationalist movements.
1958 - Joseph Kasavuba formed the Alliance des Ba-Kongo (ABAKO).
1958 - Patrice Lumumba formed the Mouvement National Congolais (MNC).
1959 Rioting in the Congo
1959 - Congo sees violent riots in Leopoldville (now called Kinshasa)
the country’s capital.
o Congolese demonstrators destroy government buildings and
churches.
o Congolese people show their anger & frustration at widespread
unemployment, discrimination and overcrowding.
The Belgians panic at the violence, and agree to end colonial rule BUT…
o The Belgians try to go back on their agreement.
o October 1959 - riots erupt in the north of the Congo.
o 26 Congolese are killed in the unrest.
o Patrice Lumumba is arrested for inciting violence &
sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.
1960 Congo granted independence from Belgium
rule
the Congo.
o Elections highlight the divisions among ethnic groups in the
Congo.
o Congo vulnerable to power struggles.
30 June 1960 - Congo is granted independence.
o Belgium hands over power to the Congo.
o Patrice Lumumba - named Prime Minister.
o Joseph Kasavubu - named President.
o Lumumba makes sure that the army consists of Congolese
officers.
o Lumumba promotes his personal secretary, Joseph Mobutu to
Army Chief of Staff.
Page 2 of 20
, Erin Watson Topic 2
1960 Katanga secedes from the Congo
11 July 1960 - mineral-rich province of Katanga led by Moise Tshombe
secedes from the Congo.
o Tshombe declares Katanga a separate and independent territory
that will no longer be part of the Congo.
Belgium’s response
o Belgium has strong economic interests in preserving
access in Katanga.
o Sends troops & military technology to help Tshombe.
Lumumba calls on the UN to assist
o Lumumba needs help in removing the Belgian presence
in Katanga.
o Belgians are violating the Congo’s independence.
o Belgium’s involvement destabilising the country.
UN refuses to help
UN initially refuses to help Lumumba put down the Katanga rebellion.
o They see as Congo’s domestic concern.
Lumumba asks the USSR to help squash the Katanga rebellion.
o Results in the massacre of hundreds of civilians.
Lumumba’s actions transform the Congolese crisis into a new zone of Cold
War rivalry.
American response to the Katanga Crisis
US President Eisenhower furious that Lumumba has involved the
USSR.
o By asking for Soviet assistance Lumumba had allowed the SU to
start forming a power base in the heart of Africa.
The CIA becomes involved.
o Eisenhower authorises the CIA to “eliminate” Lumumba i.e to
have Lumumba assassinated.
o Tshombe of Katanga & Belgian authorities accept the CIA’s
plan to assassinate Lumumba.
Page 3 of 20
