Democratic Republic of the Congo

By: Simrin Jhangiani

Location of DRC

Imperial Ruler and Reason of Conquest• Belgium was imperial ruler• Were in control from 1901 – 1962• Reasons for conquest:• -Henry M. Stanley went in search of Dr. Livingston• -Came back raving about DRC• -Sent back to prepare for imperialistic rule• Good resources such as rubber and ivory• Labor could be extorted from natives

Positive Effects of Imperialism

Short Term• Economy improved• People worked harder• Amount of trade increased

Long Term• Congolese realized how rich in resources they were• Use resources to their advantage

Negative Effects of Imperialism

Short Term• Forced labor• Congolese were tortured or worked to death• Outcry around the world• Rights were taken away• People lived in bad condition such as slums

Long Term• No leaders were truly able to gain support of people• No stable government• Corrupt

Independence• DRP gained independence on the 30th June 1960• King Leopold was forced to give up rule to Belgian government• Government decided to give political power to people• Confident that they would gain it back• People of DRP fought against giving it back• Joseph Kasavubu and Patrick Lumumba

Important Leader for Independence• Patric Lumumba• Able to lead people of DRP • Taught them that they could rebel and re-gain their rights• People began to riot• Riots between 4th and 7th January, 1959 and 31st October 1959

Important Leader for Independence Continued• Belgian government realized they could not keep control• Rising demands for independence • Round Table Conference in Brussels 18th January 1960• On 27th January 1960, Belgian and Congolese rulers decided to

grant Congolese independence on 30th June, 1960• Lumumba named vice president of Belgian Congo• Later renamed “Democratic Republic of the Congo”

Economic Results of Imperialism• More trading• More awareness of resources• But, people worked longer hours

Social Situation After Imperialism• Congolese were treated horribly during the time of King

Leopold• Tortured and worked ridiculously long hours• Slowly caused people to lose respect for each other• People became more separated by language and culture• Cause civil wars• Women were treated horribly and given no respect• Children were not able to have a proper education • Social hierarchy exists

Political Results of Imperialism• Lack of trust in government• People still wanted freedom• A lot of corruption• Political leaders were not able to truly direct people and

improve the country

Negative Role of Imperialism• Before imperialism, people were treated better • Socially, politically and economically, country was not really

improved• Belgian rulers were not a positive influence• Economy has fallen heavily since imperialism as

people weren’t truly taught how to keep it steady

• No mutual respect• No education• Corruption

Negative Role of Imperialism Continued..• Not as forward thinking• Country might have slightly less improved infrastructure• Happier people• Leaders could be in control• People might have been able to realize importance of

resources• Use resources and man power positively

Works Cited• "Belgium's imperialist rape of Africa."World Socialist Web Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 24

Apr. 2012. <http://www.wsws.org/articles/1999/sep1999/king-s06.shtml>.• "Imperialism: The Belgian Congo « Welcome to the Congo." Welcome to the Congo.

N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. <http://congo.edublogs.org/imperialism-congo-region/>.

• "Mass crimes against humanity and genocidein the Congo Free State."THE CONGO FREE STATE GENOCIDE: CIRCA 1895 TO 1912. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://www.religioustolerance.org/genocong.htm

• Nolan, Stuart. "Belgium's imperialist rape of Africa." World Socialist Web Site. N.p., 9 June 1999. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. <http://www.wsws.org/articles/1999/sep1999/king-s06.shtml>.

• Oak Ridge Staff. "ORHS Home Page." Imperialism in Congo. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. <http://orhs.eduhsd.k12.ca.us/staff/>.

• "The Belgian Scramble." Belgian Imperialism in Africa. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. <https://sites.google.com/site/hcmwpr

• "The World Factbook." AFRICA :: CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE . CIA, 13 Apr. 2012. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cg.html>.