The Belgian Congo {Imperialism}

P O L I T I C A L (post)

P R I M A R Y S O U R C E S

• In 1960 Belgian Congo became independent
• Racism
• Civil Wars– lack of unity instituted into society
• Belgians still held high military positions
• Collapsing political structure destroyed by Belgians

“You have to make them abandon everything which gives them the courage to affront us.”– wanted to strip slaves of identity so they would not revolt

P R I M A R Y S O U R C E S

E C O N O M I C

“Evangelize the savages so that they stay forever in submission to the white colonialists, so they never revolt against the restraints they are undergoing. Recite every day-’Happy are those who are weeping because the kingdom of God is for them.’ Convert the blacks always by using the whip.”

Source: Letter from King Leopold II of Belgium to Colonial Missionaries, 188

B A C K G R O U N D

• forced labor
• plantation economy
• system of mandatory cultivation
• Great Depression (1930s), economy severely hit
• WWII, industrial production increase

P O L I T I C A L (prior)

i m a g e IV

• 1884-1885: Berlin West Africa Conference divided the African continent amongst the "Great Powers of Europe"
• Created artificial state boundaries as well as a colonial system that was in effect for the next 60 years
• Congo considered the King's "personal concession" rather than just a "colony"
• **KING OWNED AND CONTROLLED THE CONGO; NOT THE BELGIUM GOVERNMENT**

i m a g e I

• Leopold II– “Congo Free State”
• Slavery– hand/foot punishment

M A P S

S O C I A L

REFERENCE PAGE

• Religion forced upon the Congolese people
• Culture NOT preserved
• Lack of personal rights
• Family ties broke down; wives and children held hostage
• Villages burned down if they refused cooperation

• https://app.activateinstruction.org/playlist/resource-sview/id/51d3386607121c63391309e2/rid/51d420cd07121c582e828d4b/bc0/explore/bc1/playlist
• http://www.ultimatehistoryproject.com/belgian-congo.html
• http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199846733/obo-9780199846733-0107.xml
• The Earth and Its People [textbook]
• http://imperialisminthecongo.blogspot.com/p/impact-of-imperialism-on-peoples-lives.html
• See Le Rail au Congo Belge, 1890-1920 (Volume 1). (1993, Ediblanchart). ISBN 2872020101.
• "Belgian Congo," in Encyclopædia Britannica (1922 edition) online
• Buelens,Frans (2007), Congo 1885–1960, Een financiëel-economische geschiedenis, Berchem: EPO.
• Boahen, A. Adu (1990). Africa Under Colonial Domination, 1880–1935. p. 171.
• Brion, René and Jean-Louis Moreau (2006), De la Mine à Mars: la genèse d'Umicore, Tielt: Lannoo.
• McCrummen, Stephanie (4 August 2009). "Nearly Forgotten Forces of WWII". The Washington Post. Washington Post Foreign Service.
• Source Guy De Boeck (there's a copy on CongoForum

S O C I A L

M A P S

• Brought formal education systems to the Congo
• Segregated the Congolese people because of their color and culture
• Main causes of death : war, starvation, forced labor, largely reduced birthrate and disease, some of which continued to be present after his rule ended

i m a g e II

i m a g e III

E C O N O M I C

• export based
• construction of railways and steamship lines
• Before WWI; rubber main export
• During WWI; new resources, expanded trade

The Belgian Congo {Imperialism}

by: Ana, Ella, and Vanessa K