Colonization in the Congo

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Recommended: Principles of the theory of postcolonialism

It might be easy to talk about the postion in which a country stands in todays world, but to understand why they hold this position there are many variables that need to be taken into account. Congo is a country on the western coastline of the African continent. After being colonized by King Leopold II from Belgium, Congo lived under his ruling for centuries until it gained its independence in 1960. Because of the colonialization and decolonization process the Congo had to surpass many events and these events have an important role in present Congo.
During the colonial era the African continent was treated like a cake and was split into the colonial powers. Pieces of Africa divided into different countries by artificial countries resulted in the present 56 different countries breaking what was once one nation to multiple nations with different customs. Congo is known to have been treated specially differently. The Berlin Conference which decided how Africa was going to be divided amongst the powers for colonization contributed to the difference in treatment. An example is that slave trade was banned but not in the Congo. There was also a lot of trouble in decided how this piece of land would get split since all power seemed to have high interests in it. “ The Congo State is to be partitioned, and France and Germany shall have their portions. To offer France her “portion” when she is entitled to the whole, I not evidence of tact; to divide the Congo State into three parts, so that the English part shall be as great as those of France and Germany combined.” (Boulger p.827) The Berlin Conference also neglected the fact that the Congo was a Free State, allowing future colonization.
The colonization process was limitless and brutal...

... middle of paper ...

...e miminum health care services or education. Education is encouraged for the future and the progress of a community but if its not offered then what future does this Country have? The larger question is is where is all the money collected through taxes and commercial companies by the state? It is not being invested in any social benefits to improve the infrastructure and the development of the Congo. The Congo is able to change and improve if new leaders that work towards development of nation rather then the inflation of their pockets.

Works Cited

Boulger, D. C. (1903) The attack upon the congo state. The North American Review, 177 (565), 825-
836
Ferguson, W. L. (1911) The present situation in the congo. The Journal of Race Development, 1 (4),
440-414
Starr, F. (1911) The congo free state and congo belge. The Journal of Race Development, 1 (4), 383-
399

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