Belgium+and+Africa

 Belgium & Africa By Jenny, Alex, Becky, and Gerald

__ How Belgium's Imperialism in Africa Began __ In the 1870's, Henry Stanely who was a journalists, was hired by King Leopold II of Belgium. Leopold wanted Stanely to explore the Congo River basin in Africa, and arrange treaties with African Leaders. Leopold said he wanted to send Stanely on these expeditions for "millions of men still plunged in barbism" so that it will be "the dawn of a better era". However, Leopolds real reason for the expeditions was to gain "conquest and profit". (Elisabeth Gaynor Elis and Anthony Esler 623)Furthermore, Leopold's expeditions in Africa influenced other Europeon countries. These countries met in Berlin, Germany. There they divided African territories, and redrew the African map. While this was taking place, Leopold and the Begliums in Africa began taking advantage of Africa's copper, rubber, and ivory, and harming Africa's people. In 1908, Leopold was forced to give his Congo territory to Belgium's government and it became known as the Belgium Congo. (from textbook)

Background Information (Rulers & Naming) On June 30, 1960, Joseph Kasavubu became president of the Congo, and P atric Lumumba became the prime minister. Colonel Joseph Mobutu, the country's army official, took control and gave power to Kasavubu, after he arrested Lumumba. It was renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mobutu took advantage of a political crisis going on, and then declared himself president of the Congo. He changed the country's name to the Democratic republic of Zaire, in 1971. Then, in 1997, Mobutu fled the country. Laurent Kabila declared himself president and renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is a picture of Belgium's annexed land the Congo in 1908.



What countries/civilizations/city states were being taken over? Belguim took over the Congo in 1908 (Belgium Congo), and gaind Rwanda from Germany in 1916. King Leopold II hired Henry M. Stanely to travel along the Congo River, making treaties with African cheifs. At this same time, King Leopold II was trying to get everyone to refer to him as the leader or ruler of the Congo. Why did Belgium begin its imperialism? When people think about imperialism in Africa, the phrase "scramble for Africa" often is included. This is because late 1800's and early 1900's Europeon countries were looking to annex countries, and overall gain more power. Belgium inspecifically wanted to annex land in Africa for its plethora of natural resources. As mentioned before, King Leopold sent Henry Stanely on these expeditions to help others, but really Leopold wanted wealth. Why is Africa being targeted? King Leopold II wanted the rich resourses of the Congo and Rwanda, primarily rubber. Ivory and copper were also plentiful in the area, and large exports. Congo and Rwnada also had large populations that could be forced to get the materials for next to nothing. One treaty Leopold made involved everyone obeying him for one peice of cloth a month. About 1/3 of the Congo was covered in lush rain forest, and savannahs and grasslands covered most of the rest. These different types of climates, provided a vast amount of resources. Also, the Congo River allowed resources for Belgium. What type of rule is being excercised? The rule being exersized by King Leopold II in the Belgium Congo was indirect rule. This is when the leader, in this case Leopold, orders others on how to rule and what laws to make in the annexed land. Although the rule was relatively harsh, the economy grew stronger. Mark Twain wrote about how harsh Leopold's rule was by saying: "King Leopold II never saw a drop of blood spilt in anger. He never set foot in the Congo." (Belgium's Imperialist Rape of Africa, Stuart Nolan) Just because he didn't step foot in Belgium doesn't mean he had indirect rule. Did people from Europe run Congo or was it Congolese people and they followed Leopold's laws. = What were the obstacles to control? = Leopold's rule over the Congo met heavy resistance. In the south, chief Mulume Niama led a rebellion with the help of his Sanga warriors and killed one of Leopold's officers. This outraged King Leopold so he had his state troops trap Niama in a cave along with all of his warriors. Three months later all of the Niama and all of his warriors were found dead. Other obstacles that needed to be controlled were the diseases. One of the most common diseases that people were getting was malaria. Malaria is a disease caught by getting bit by too many infected mosquitos. Another common disease was Sleeping Sickness. This disease is a disease caused by parasites. It is very dangerous and pretty much always fatal.

What were the end results of mperialism in Africa and Belgium?
The end results of Imperialism in Africa varied over time. For example, when King Leopold II first took control of the Congo in Africa, he was very harsh to Africans. Africans were severly beat, and forced to work for no pay. Also the Belgiums took advantage of Africa's natural recourses such as copper, rubber, and ivory. Eventually Leopold's rule became so harsh, that in 1908 he was forced to surrender his land to the Belgium governement. It then became known as the Belgian Congo. Even though the government rule was still rather harsh and Africans did not have many rights, the government did benefit Africans by improving working and living conditions. Starting in the 1950's, the Belgium Congo started demanding self rule and therfore set up politcal parties. By 1960 African's living in the Belgium Congo had elected Joseph Kasavuba and Patric Lumumba as its president and prime minister. Today, the Congo has a relatively bad off and poor enconomy. Also, most of the people living there are farmers. Citations:

Schimmer, Russell. "Belgian Congo | Colonial Genocides | Genocide Studies Program." //Yale University//. Yale University, 2010. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. [].

Ellis, Elisabeth Gaynor and Esler, Anthony. __World History Connnections to Today__. Glenview: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2003.

Elisabeth Gaynor Elis, Anthony Esler. __World History Connections to Today.__ Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2001.

(Africa: Belgian Colonies - HISTORY OF BELGIAN COLONIZATION, THE ADMINISTRATION OF CONGO BY THE BELGIANS (1908–1960))

[] (URL form) (MLA form below) Brinkmeyer, Laura, and Charles Pate. "Imperialism in the Congo." //WwwASMSA//. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. .