Belgium created two colonies in Africa: the entities now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly the Republic of Zaire) and the Republic of Rwanda, previously Ruanda-Urundi, a former German African colony that was given to Belgium to administer after the defeat of Germany in World War I.
Why did Belgium colonize Africa?
Belgium is a small country in northwest Europe that joined Europe’s race for colonies in the late 19th century. Many European countries wanted to colonize distant parts of the world in order to exploit the resources and “civilize” the inhabitants of these less-developed countries. Belgium gained independence in 1830.
What did Belgium do to the Congo?
On February 5, 1885, Belgian King Leopold II established the Congo Free State by brutally seizing the African landmass as his personal possession. Rather than control the Congo as a colony, as other European powers did throughout Africa, Leopold privately owned the region.
When did Belgium colonize Congo?
Belgium took over the colony in 1908 and it was not until 1960 that the Republic of the Congo was established, after a fight for independence. When Leopold II died in 1909, he was buried to the sound of Belgians booing.
How many did Belgium kill in Congo?
Although Leopold II established Belgium as a colonial power in Africa, he is best known for the widespread atrocities that were carried out under his rule, as a result of which as many as 10 million people died in the Congo Free State.
Which countries did Belgium colonize in Africa?
Belgium created two colonies in Africa: the entities now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly the Republic of Zaire) and the Republic of Rwanda, previously Ruanda-Urundi, a former German African colony that was given to Belgium to administer after the defeat of Germany in World War I.
How many countries did Belgium colonize in Africa?
Belgium controlled 3 colonies and 3 concessions during its history, the Belgian Congo (modern DRC) from 1908 to 1960, and Ruanda-Urundi (Rwanda and Burundi) from 1922 to 1962. It also had a small concession in China and was a co-administrator of the Tangier International Zone in Morocco.
Why did they cut off hands in the Congo?
Disease, famine and violence combined to reduce the birth-rate while excess deaths rose. The severing of workers’ hands achieved particular international notoriety. These were sometimes cut off by Force Publique soldiers who were made to account for every shot they fired by bringing back the hands of their victims.
How much money did Belgium make from the Congo?
Rubber Production
Leopold used the rubber money to develop Belgium. “Leopold drew some 220 million francs (or $1.1 billion in today’s dollars) in profits from the Congo during his lifetime.
What caused the war in Congo?
The most deciding event in precipitating the war was the genocide in neighbouring Rwanda in 1994, which sparked a mass exodus of refugees known as the Great Lakes refugee crisis. During the 100-day genocide, hundreds of thousands of Tutsis and sympathizers were massacred at the hands of predominantly Hutu aggressors.
Who colonized the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Belgian colonization of DR Congo began in 1885 when King Leopold II founded and ruled the Congo Free State.
Why did colonization of Africa begin in the Congo?
Why did colonization of Africa begin in the Congo? … This upset most Africans because they felt that just because they were not as progressive in the fields of science and technology that didn’t mean that they were a lower scale of humans as far as cultural and physical development.
What was Congo called before?
A constitutional referendum the year before Mobutu’s coup of 1965 resulted in the country’s official name being changed to the “Democratic Republic of the Congo.” In 1971 Mobutu changed the name again, this time to “Republic of Zaire”.
Why are there 2 Congos in Africa?
Both countries gained independence in 1960, but they were colonized by different countries. Congo-Brazzaville was colonized by France while Congo-Kinshasa was colonized by Belgium.
Was there slavery in Belgium?
Recasting Belgium’s national narrative. … Generations of Belgian schoolchildren were told of Leopold’s “civilising” mission – a humanitarian king who abolished slavery, built roads and schools and introduced Christianity and democracy to Congo.
Why do they cut off hands in Africa?
To make up for the low production, troops began to use hands as currency – chopping them was a way of punishing workers who did not fulfill their quotas, and, at the same time, served to show that soldiers were doing their part in exerting pressure over the local population to ensure the fulfillment of these quotas.