Congo Essay

Over the course of human history, many believe that the “Congo Free State”, which lasted from the 1880s to the early 1900s, was one of the worst colonial states in the age of Imperialism and was one of the worst humanitarian disasters over time. Brutal methods of collecting rubber, which led to the deaths of countless Africans along with Europeans, as well as a lack of concern from the Belgian government aside from the King, combined to create the most potent example of the evils of colonialism in

Introduction The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the eleventh largest country in the world and has over $29 trillion in unexploited minerals and natural resources (News about Congo). Given this fact, how is it that the DRC ranks 172 in economic freedom? The simple answer is the country is afflicted with inadequate security, shoddy governance, and a long-lasting humanitarian crisis. It is imperative that the United States (U.S.) understands the framework surrounding the operational environment

Between 1884 and 1906 the Congo was controlled by a company owned by King Leopold, and the area was referred to as the 'Belgian Free State.’ Until the end of the 1800s Leopold’s company exported primarily ivory and palm-oil, from the Congo. At the end of the century, however, the world discovered rubber. Rubber became an extremely important and very valuable resource in the west in the late 1800’s. The demand for rubber increased dramatically and Leopold had found a way to cultivate and sell it for

private possession of the Congo. While King Leopold embodied the ideas of imperialism, he did not effectively demonstrate the civilized mission, but instead exploited workers in desperation to acquire imperial power. The atrocities committed under his rule went unacknowledged for decades until the publication of reports exposed the atrocities in the Congo. The widespread exposure King Leopold was a catalyst in his removal. King Leopold claimed his interest in the Congo was motivated by the desire

William Sheppard was a black man who called out Leopold's injustice in the Congo. Interestingly enough, he was supported by white supremacists who help in the idea of getting African Americans back to Africa. He was one of the first missionary black american missionary in the Congo. He worked there for about 20 years writing articles, speeches, and a book. He worked with the Kuba people who were artists. But unfortunately, the was ransacked when King Leopold discovered the profits he could make with

The Democratic Republic of Congo Formerly known as Zaire, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DROC) is located in the center of Africa bordered by nine different countries and one territory. (Lerner, 10) The bordering countries are Central African Republic and Sudan at the northern boarder, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi on the eastern boarder, Zambia and Angola directly South of DROC and Congo on the Western boarder. DROC is about one third the size of the United States; consisting

In 1908, Leopold II, King of the Belgians handed over the Free State of Congo, acquired in 1889, to Belgium. In 1960, the Congo became an independent Republic. Fifty-five years after the independence of the Congo, the traces of its colonisation can still be found everywhere in Belgium; from the imposing monuments and buildings scattered around the country built with the money Leopold gained from the extraction of the Congo’s natural resources, to the African artefacts and collection of butterflies

was unable to maintain political or economic stability. Independence In 1960, the Congo gained independence from Belgium under a nationalist government headed by Patrice Lumumba and Joseph Kasa-Vubu. Their dedication to Congolese nationalism was not shared nationwide however, and shortly after the new government was formed, army garrisons in Katanga and South Kasai rebelled. The resulting conflict, known as the Congo Crisis, would become particularly notable for the heavy military intervention of

The Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DROC, is a country rife with civil strife and unrest. The country has been at war since its independence in 1960, due to the abundance of its natural resources. Originally a Belgian colony, the DROC was known as the Independent State of the Congo. From 1879 to 1885, it was owned and run by a development company known as the International Association of the Congo. King Leopold II of Belgium had named himself the prime shareholder

Democratic Republic of Congo. The political structure changed as time went on. It took over a hundred and fifty years for the country to gain true independence. Different ethnic groups are what made Congo such an interesting country. In the 1800’s, there were over two hundred and fifty ethnic groups that were living in the country. This contributed to the social and political structure of the large nation. After King Leopold, from Belgium, took over the area that is now Congo, the political structure