Social Studies-Case Study on the Congo

What was Pre-Colonization in the Congo like?

• Before Europeans colonized these areas, many regions already had their own societies, trade systems, and governments, and they controlled their own culture and politics.

What was the establishment of colonies like?

• European countries took control of land by using treaties, violence, or international agreements, often changing borders without caring about Indigenous communities.

What was Governance and Exploitation like?

• European countries controlled colonies and forced people to work, pay taxes, and give up resources for the benefit of the colonizers.

What was the Impact on the Indigenous People?

• Colonisation caused violence, forced people from their land, suppressed cultures, and led to large population losses because of war, disease, and exploitation.

What was Decolonization like?

• By the 20th century, independence movements ended colonial rule, but many countries still struggled because of the lasting effects of colonization.

What were some key characteristics of the pre colonial kingdoms in the Congo reigon?

• Rich cultural traditions and governance systems

• Trade networks (ivory, palm oil, copper)

How did King Leopald II justify his claim of the Congo?

• Humanitarian mission to end Arab slave trade

• Promised free trading and charity

What methods did Leopald use to take control?

• Treaties that locals did not understand

• Military force

Describe the ways which the Congo people were exploited?

• Forced labour system

• Strict quotas

• Villages were burned and people taken hostage

How many people died under Leopald’s rule?

• 10 million

• How did colonization affect the social and cultural lives of the Congo people?

• Traditional government structures gone

• Families separated, people held hostage and forced into labour

• Cultural suppression

How and when did the Congo become independent?

• June 30, 1960

• Through independence movements and exposing of attrocities

• How would you describe the legacy of Colonialism in the Congo?

• Cultures were suppressed

• Political instability

• Showing the resilience and power of song and culture