1. Central Africa

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

6. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Colonialism in Congo

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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 year, only 136 children completed high school
no Congolese doctors
no Congolese high school teachers
no Congolese army officers
no infrastructure
depleted resources

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

18. The Congo Today 1997: name change to Democratic Republic of the Congo
: “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

19. 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

20. 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

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