Independence in the Congo

Where the story begins… In 1872, Henry Stanley, an American journalist, ventured into the central region of Africa, known as the Congo, and located a “lost” British explorer named David Livingstone. In 1872, Henry Stanley, an American journalist, ventured into the central region of Africa, known as the Congo, and located a “lost” British explorer named David Livingstone.

The news of Stanley’s successful venture became a sensation in Europe, and the King of Belgium, Leopold II, became instantly interested in the territory known as, “The Congo”. The news of Stanley’s successful venture became a sensation in Europe, and the King of Belgium, Leopold II, became instantly interested in the territory known as, “The Congo”.

In particular, Leopold was drawn to Stanley’s reports of rubber trees, ivory- tusked elephants, and gold-wearing natives. In particular, Leopold was drawn to Stanley’s reports of rubber trees, ivory- tusked elephants, and gold-wearing natives.

Brussels, Belgium Seeking to add an African territory that Belgium could control, and make money off of it, Leopold held a conference in Brussels in 1876 and drew boundary lines of a “colony” called the Congo Free State. Seeking to add an African territory that Belgium could control, and make money off of it, Leopold held a conference in Brussels in 1876 and drew boundary lines of a “colony” called the Congo Free State.

In November, 1884, Leopold attended a conference of European powers in Berlin, and claimed the Congo Free State as a colony. The other nations present agreed. The Congo as a Belgian colony was born. In November, 1884, Leopold attended a conference of European powers in Berlin, and claimed the Congo Free State as a colony. The other nations present agreed. The Congo as a Belgian colony was born.

Promises, Promises Leopold promised the European nations at the conference that he would build a nation of free Congo states, like the United States, and end the slave trade. Leopold promised the European nations at the conference that he would build a nation of free Congo states, like the United States, and end the slave trade.

Instead, Leopold began a 70 year plunder of the Congo of its rubber, ivory, gold, diamonds, copper, and tin. And, his Belgian forces enslaved Congolese peoples with regularity. Instead, Leopold began a 70 year plunder of the Congo of its rubber, ivory, gold, diamonds, copper, and tin. And, his Belgian forces enslaved Congolese peoples with regularity.

When Leopold died in 1909, he left the nation of Belgium control over the Congo in his will. When Leopold died in 1909, he left the nation of Belgium control over the Congo in his will.

The Belgian government held the Congolese people under control through brutal tactics including cutting the hands off of those who opposed their rule, burning down entire villages and murdering families who were thought to be disloyal. The Belgian government held the Congolese people under control through brutal tactics including cutting the hands off of those who opposed their rule, burning down entire villages and murdering families who were thought to be disloyal.

The situation continued this way until 1939, when World War II forced Belgium to turn its attention away from the Congo. The situation continued this way until 1939, when World War II forced Belgium to turn its attention away from the Congo.

Things Begin to Change In order to maintain control, the Belgians gave certain “loyalist” Congolese important positions in towns and villages. In order to maintain control, the Belgians gave certain “loyalist” Congolese important positions in towns and villages. These individuals began to gain wealth and influence. These individuals began to gain wealth and influence.

March, 1957: The African nation of Ghana gains its independence from Great Britain. Shockwaves are felt throughout Africa. March, 1957: The African nation of Ghana gains its independence from Great Britain. Shockwaves are felt throughout Africa. French colonies begin independence movements. French colonies begin independence movements. Congolese leaders begin to form secret political parties. Congolese leaders begin to form secret political parties.

Kasa-Vubu Lumumba These Congolese leaders included: These Congolese leaders included: –Patrice Lumumba – Head of the Congolese National Movement (MNC). –Joseph Kasa-Vubu – Leader of Abako, a tribal organization formed to protect the Congolese. –Moise Tshambe – Businessman who led the Conakat Party in the copper-dominant Katanga province.

1959! January, 1959: Abako rebels lead vicious riots for free speech and assembly in Leopoldville. January, 1959: Abako rebels lead vicious riots for free speech and assembly in Leopoldville. October, 1959: Lumumba’s MNC lead riots for independence in Stanleyville. October, 1959: Lumumba’s MNC lead riots for independence in Stanleyville. November, 1959: To quell the sudden surge in violence, Belgium allows the Congolese to engage in open political activity. 120 political parties are formed. November, 1959: To quell the sudden surge in violence, Belgium allows the Congolese to engage in open political activity. 120 political parties are formed.

In December of 1959, 2 opposing political parties, run by different tribes, begin fighting each other for political dominance. Belgium sees the Congo as spinning violently out of control. In December of 1959, 2 opposing political parties, run by different tribes, begin fighting each other for political dominance. Belgium sees the Congo as spinning violently out of control.

In January of 1960, Belgium invites the 13 largest political parties to Brussels to discuss independence. In January of 1960, Belgium invites the 13 largest political parties to Brussels to discuss independence. At that meeting Belgium agrees to give the Congo its independence on June 30 th, At that meeting Belgium agrees to give the Congo its independence on June 30 th, The Congolese delegates are victorious! The Congolese delegates are victorious!

The Congo Government: On June 25 th, 1960, true to its word, probably for the first time in its relationship with the Congo, the Belgians, with the Congolese approval, created a 12-party coalition to govern the Congo. Joseph Kasa-Vubu was chosen as President, and Patrice Lumumba was chosen as the more powerful Prime Minister. On June 25 th, 1960, true to its word, probably for the first time in its relationship with the Congo, the Belgians, with the Congolese approval, created a 12-party coalition to govern the Congo. Joseph Kasa-Vubu was chosen as President, and Patrice Lumumba was chosen as the more powerful Prime Minister.

On June 30 th, 1960 the Congo became an independent nation. On June 30 th, 1960 the Congo became an independent nation. New Prime Minister Lumumba was quoted as telling the Belgian King, “we are no longer your monkeys.” New Prime Minister Lumumba was quoted as telling the Belgian King, “we are no longer your monkeys.”

Ok, So Now What? Now that Congo was free, they had no idea what to do. Now that Congo was free, they had no idea what to do. –No Congolese person had any government experience –No national elections had ever been held –Only 3 Congolese people in the entire country had any experience as civil servants. –There were only 30 university graduates in the entire country. –The most trained people in the Congo were priests. –There were no doctors, no lawyers, no secondary school teachers, no engineers, and no army officers.

Fighting, arguing, and resentment amongst the ruling 12 political parties began the very next day. Fighting, arguing, and resentment amongst the ruling 12 political parties began the very next day. The newly independent Congo nation was in trouble right from the start….