The Belgian Congo
Colonization
The Belgian Congo took place during the reign of Belgium's King Leopold II (1835-1909). His main motivation was to take over the Congo and collect the rubber that was cultivated there. During his reign, the Congolese experienced heavy mistreatment. For instance, if the slaves were ever slacking or not doing the work that they were expected to do they would be beaten or get their limbs cut off. The natives of the Congo were used as slaves to promote the production. King Leopold II encouraged the use of slaves and slave-trading and allowed the use of violence and intimidation against the natives.
Rise of Nationalism
The Belgians oppressed the Congolese in many ways. No political activity was allowed to the indigenous or Belgian residents.
They were also treated as second rate citizens. Therefore, resistance to Belgian rule took many different forms. Anti-colonial sub-cultures formed, such as the leader based religion Kimbanguism. The first nationalistic riot took place in 1959 against the Belgian rule. The paternalistic control over the Congo made the Belgians treat the Congolese as children and gave them the power of absolute control and the ability to take away their freedom. In 1957, the Congolese were allowed to experience what politics was like. Subsequently, as the Congo neared its independence, many natives took place in politics and sparked many more nationalist movements as they were joining governments. As a result, there were many new nationalist leaders and groups.
Independence
On June 30, 1960 the Belgian Congo gained its independence. At the time many African colonies were gaining their independence, so many European countries and Congolese people were pressuring Belgium to give the Congo their independence. One issue that was causing Belgium to hesitate was that they didn't think the Congo could self-govern themselves. This is why A.J. Van Bilsen (a Belgian professor) created the Thirty Year Plan for the Political Emancipation of Belgian Africa. Over a time span of thirty years, the Congo would slowly be given their independence. Bilsen thought this would help the Congo develop a self-government, but this treaty only caused the people to riot. After all of the violence and riots, Belgium feared a war, so they finally gave the Congo their independence.
The Belgian Congo took place during the reign of Belgium's King Leopold II (1835-1909). His main motivation was to take over the Congo and collect the rubber that was cultivated there. During his reign, the Congolese experienced heavy mistreatment. For instance, if the slaves were ever slacking or not doing the work that they were expected to do they would be beaten or get their limbs cut off. The natives of the Congo were used as slaves to promote the production. King Leopold II encouraged the use of slaves and slave-trading and allowed the use of violence and intimidation against the natives.
Rise of Nationalism
The Belgians oppressed the Congolese in many ways. No political activity was allowed to the indigenous or Belgian residents.
They were also treated as second rate citizens. Therefore, resistance to Belgian rule took many different forms. Anti-colonial sub-cultures formed, such as the leader based religion Kimbanguism. The first nationalistic riot took place in 1959 against the Belgian rule. The paternalistic control over the Congo made the Belgians treat the Congolese as children and gave them the power of absolute control and the ability to take away their freedom. In 1957, the Congolese were allowed to experience what politics was like. Subsequently, as the Congo neared its independence, many natives took place in politics and sparked many more nationalist movements as they were joining governments. As a result, there were many new nationalist leaders and groups.
Independence
On June 30, 1960 the Belgian Congo gained its independence. At the time many African colonies were gaining their independence, so many European countries and Congolese people were pressuring Belgium to give the Congo their independence. One issue that was causing Belgium to hesitate was that they didn't think the Congo could self-govern themselves. This is why A.J. Van Bilsen (a Belgian professor) created the Thirty Year Plan for the Political Emancipation of Belgian Africa. Over a time span of thirty years, the Congo would slowly be given their independence. Bilsen thought this would help the Congo develop a self-government, but this treaty only caused the people to riot. After all of the violence and riots, Belgium feared a war, so they finally gave the Congo their independence.