Democratic Republic of the Congo

30 Pages 7562 Words

lled the Congo Free State but them same was greatly misleading. Belgium was introduced to the Congo Basin when a European journalist named Henry Morton Stanley who petitioned the king to colonize the region. Few roads or bridges and the dense forest made this region difficult for European colonization, but the Belgians realized the value of this country was in its vast array of natural resources. Stanley was urged by the king to set up trading stations and establish relations with the native chiefs.

Belgium soldiers and traders quickly occupied this territory. Railways were also constructed around sections of the Congo River to choppy to sail boats through. Ivory and rubber were the two main sources of income at first. Congolese people who no longer feared slave raids were now ironically forced to collect rubber as payment for new taxes levied upon them. Many Congolese people felt betrayed by the taxes and rebel forces were assembled. However, Belgium had access to latest European weapons, which gave them a favorable advantage over the less sophisticated rebel forces

As the years grew so did the exploitation of the Congolese workers. Word of Belgium’s oppressive attitude drew international protest. Journalist publicized the lack of development in the Congo and regular torture by Belgium’s rubber collecting agents. Public opinion forced Belgium to review its actions and in 1908 the Congo Free State was changed to the Belgian Congo. This new name was suppose to bring a new way, but most Congolese people faired little better under the new administration.

During WWI, Congolese soldiers aided Allied forces in conquering German owned territories in Africa. After the war Belgium’s rule over this area changed drastically. The standard of living grew drastically as labor practices were liberalized and schools and hospitals were built. Even though the physical atmosphere changed for these African people, the Belgian...