Central Africa

Central Africa European colonization began in Central Africa Countries include: Cameroon Central Africa Republic Democratic Republic of Congo Equatorial Guinea Gabon Sao Tome and Principe European colonization began in Central Africa

Bantu Migrations Bantu: a group of peoples and cultures who speak one of the Bantu languages Bantu Migrations: In 2000 BC the Bantu people moved from southeastern Nigeria and moved southward through Africa spreading language and culture

Bantu Migrations Key event in Africa’s history produced diversity of culture linked areas of the continent approximately 120 million speak one of the hundreds of Bantu languages

Colonialism in the Congo The Congo’s origins as a state were different from any other African country It began not as a colony but as the personal property of King Leopold 1878: King Leopold of Belgium hired Henry Stanley to carve out a territory for him along the Congo River

Colonialism in the Congo Over a period of 5 years, Stanley signed “treaties” with more than 400 African chiefs, persuading them to give up their sovereignty sovereignty: the authority of a state to govern itself or another state In 1885, at the Berlin Conference, the Congo Free State was awarded to a company headed by King Leopold

Colonialism in the Congo Leopold’s main goal was to make tons of money for himself wealth of resources: ivory, palm oil, timber, copper, rubber Africans were forced into labor

Colonialism in the Congo Villagers who did not fulfil their quotas were beaten, whipped, imprisoned, mutilated Belgian soldiers were required to bring back the severed hand of the person they killed to show that they hadn’t used the cartridge for hunting

Colonialism in Congo

Colonialism in Congo At the end of his 23 year reign, Leopold was the one of the richest men in Europe The cost: several million - possibly 10 million - Congo lives lost. Half its population

Colonialism in the Congo 1908: international opposition and criticism forced Leopold to hand over the Congo Free State to the Belgian government renamed the Belgian Congo

Belgian Congo Under Belgian rule, it was assumed that the African population would be content with Belgian rule the Congolese had no political voice, no right to own property or travel freely, subject to forced labor and curfews they were cut off from outside influence and not allowed to go to school or to become doctors, lawyers, architects

Congo Independence 1960’s: Central African countries started to fight for independence Congo won independence in 1960 1971: name changed to Zaire

Congo Independence The Congolese were not prepared no political experience no elections had been held of 1400 government jobs, Congolese held 3 positions by 1960, 30 Congolese had graduated from college at the end of the 1959-60 year, only 136 children completed high school no Congolese doctors no Congolese high school teachers no Congolese army officers no infrastructure depleted resources

Congo Independence Strong dictators and rebel armies took power Many years of political and social instability followed

The Congo Today 1997: name change to Democratic Republic of the Congo 1998-2003: “Africa’s World War” Armed groups fought for power and access to resources up to 6 million dead and 2+million refugees The region remains volatile despite a peace agreement signed in 2013 UN’s largest peacekeeping mission is in the DRC

Conflict Minerals Conflict Minerals: minerals mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo and are used to support armed rebels Amount of money armed groups make off conflict minerals has dropped 65% in the last 2 years due to legislation and tech companies demanding “clean” minerals https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCoQtwIwAmoVChMIrbbzidSdyAIVkkGSCh3RZw1h&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DaF-sJgcoY20&usg=AFQjCNF9Ll5Hk4PMotOFoSvhwueNhRVe8A&bvm=bv.103627116,d.aWw

Effects of Colonialism Most Central African countries gained independence in 1960’s Colonial borders caused problems disrupted long-standing governments did not consider ethnic regions grouped enemies together

Economic Effects loss of resources disruption of political system cultural and ethnic repression of the people lack of infrastructure lack of an education system