Congo
, The legacy of Belgium Rule
1870’s: King Leopold goes on a journey to colonize the Congo as his
personal property
1908: Congo placed under Belgium rule
1960: Congo gains independence
Belgium rule:
- Harsh, high taxes, forced labor
- Few secondary schools + no higher education
- Based on ‘paternalism’
o A belief Africans = treated like children + ≠ responsibility or
representation in government
How they gained independence:
- After WW2 Belgium wanted to keep the Congo
o Stopped the spread of nationalism + ideas
o Banned all political parties + African newspapers
- 1959 = incidents of unrest broke out in parts of the country
o ≠ single groups/organization was responsible
Vent of frustration of being exploited
o Belgium allowed free elections
Farce as most Congolese boycotted them
o Belgium agreed to negotiate with representatives
Round table conference in Brussels 1960
Lumumba, Kasavubu and Tshombe attended
Decided: new elections + independence
- Independence given on 30 June 1960
o Lumumba = Prime minister + Kasavubu = president
o Independent day speech from King Bedouin
Praised king Leopold 11
Highlighted sacrifices Belgium made
Lumumba = angry
Legacies of Colonialism in general
- Constant interference of ex colonies
- Ethnic rivalries = result of ‘divide and rule’
, The legacy of Belgium Rule
1870’s: King Leopold goes on a journey to colonize the Congo as his
personal property
1908: Congo placed under Belgium rule
1960: Congo gains independence
Belgium rule:
- Harsh, high taxes, forced labor
- Few secondary schools + no higher education
- Based on ‘paternalism’
o A belief Africans = treated like children + ≠ responsibility or
representation in government
How they gained independence:
- After WW2 Belgium wanted to keep the Congo
o Stopped the spread of nationalism + ideas
o Banned all political parties + African newspapers
- 1959 = incidents of unrest broke out in parts of the country
o ≠ single groups/organization was responsible
Vent of frustration of being exploited
o Belgium allowed free elections
Farce as most Congolese boycotted them
o Belgium agreed to negotiate with representatives
Round table conference in Brussels 1960
Lumumba, Kasavubu and Tshombe attended
Decided: new elections + independence
- Independence given on 30 June 1960
o Lumumba = Prime minister + Kasavubu = president
o Independent day speech from King Bedouin
Praised king Leopold 11
Highlighted sacrifices Belgium made
Lumumba = angry
Legacies of Colonialism in general
- Constant interference of ex colonies
- Ethnic rivalries = result of ‘divide and rule’
