Colonisation Flashcards
Why was Congo characterised by uncertainty and instability?
- 5 days after independence - army mutinied
- Katanga seceded from new republic (July 1960)
- Patrice tortured and murdered (January 1961)
- Rebellions in north and east under Mobutu - Zaire
When did Belgium have little intention of granting independence?
After the Second World War
What was Belgium secretly planning?
A period of transition which would be implemented over a period of 10 years
When was Belgium caught offguard?
Early in 1959
How was Belgium caught of guard?
Incidence of unrest broke out in various parts of the country
Who was behind the outbreaks of violence?
No single group or organisation
What was the Congolese protesting against?
Frustrations of being exploited
How did the Belgians respond to the unrest?
Holding free elections
Why did the free elections end up a fast?
Congolese boycotted them
What did the uprisings in Congo lead to?
Vowel can colonist to negotiate with the representatives of Congo
What type of conference took place?
Round table conference in Brussels in January 1960
When did the conference take place?
January 1960
Who was invited to the conference?
Patrice Lumumba, Joseph Kasavubu, Moise Tshombe
Why was the conference historic?
It marked the first time in Congolese history that the Belgain authorities decided to consult the Congolese
What decision was taken in Brussels?
New elections were to be held in the independence would follow
When was independence granted to Congo?
30 June 1960 after three multi-party elections
Who was the head of the largest party in the assembly?
Patrice Lumumba
What was the largest party in the assembly called?
The national Congolese movement (MNC)
What was the national Congolese movement?
The countries prime minister in a coalition government
Who was Lumumba’s rival?
Joseph Kasavubu
Who became the President of Congo?
Joseph Kasavubu
How did Belgium hand over independence?
Without having done anything to prepare the Congolese for change
What did Belgium did not allow for?
A satisfactory resolution regarding differences of opinion regarding constitutional issues
What was the difference between Lumumba and Kasavubu’s view of the government?
Lumumba wanted a national government
Kasavubu wanted a federation based on ethnicity
Who gave the opening address at the Independence Day celebrations?
King Baduoin of Belgium
What did the king praise at the Independence Day celebrations?
King Leopold II of Belgium and highlighted the many sacrifices that the Belgians made for Congo
Who responded to the Kings speech?
Patrice Lumumba
When was Congo colonised?
Late 1800s by King Leopold the second of Belgium
What did Congo become to King Leopold the second?
His personal fiefdom
How was conger use to gain access to Ivory and rubber rich interior?
The long Congo river
What made Congo desirable for colonisation?
Access to Ivory in rubber rich interior
After what conference was Congo made a colony?
Berlin conference of 1884
What was the brutal oppression experience by the Congolese people called?
The Congo Horrors
How did they maximise profit from the rubber plantations?
Leopold trade agents in the colony sort a steady supply of cheap labour
How did the agents for is young men to work?
Holding their wives and children captive until each man “always met
What happened to men who resisted frequently to the agents?
Killed on the spot
How were the main beaten if they did not listen to the agents?
Cruel whips made from dried hippo hide made with sharp edges - chicotte
How did people die between 1895 to 1908?
Murder, miss treatment and starvation (8 to 10,000,000)
What did European missionaries establish?
Schools and clinics encouraging humanitarian development
What was Congo cord under the control of Belgium?
Belgian Congo
What cause resentment for the indigenous people
Belgian administrators were arrogant and condescending
By 1959 what resources was Congo producing?
10% copper
50% cobalt
70% diamonds
What were the colonial powers interested in?
Congo is valuable natural resources
Why did the USA source uranium from Congo?
Nuclear bombings of Japanese cities
