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Belgian Congo, Congo Free State, Congo, Kongo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zaire, whatever you want to call this area there is no denying the fact that it has been through some of the roughest times of any region out there. These times have been devastating for a more than one hundred years now. They look like they may just now be beginning to turn around. One of the most devastating times for this country was during the age of imperialism (1855-114). This is an important time to understand, because it seems as though it may be repeating itself in our world today. So it is necessary to look at the consequences of these times and decide if it is worth it or not. While this all happened to Congo starting more than one hundred years ago, they are still suffering today.
Congo has an interesting history. They had proven for hundreds of years that they could rule themselves, but for some reason there were people who thought it would be better if they were in control. What are those reasons? Is Congo better off now, or were they doing just fine before? These are all important questions, and if people think about these things, maybe conquering (or liberating) another country is not as good of an idea as they may make it sound.
In the 1400's at least part of what is present day Congo, was part of the Kongo Empire (as seen in fig.1). This empire also consisted of present day Zaire and Angola, Kongo was extremely impressive to say the least. They had a very well organized form of government. There was a hereditary leader who had rule over each village, and each group of villages was divided up into districts which were in turn ruled by a chief who was chosen by the governor or king who was in charge of that district. The Mani-Kongo (the king) had to have a strong personality, because he had no standing army, there for his personality was what held the kingdom together. Although he had no army he did have religious and political control (Spitzer).
This empire flourished in the 1400's and 1500's. It lasted all the way until the early 1700's when the kingdom was broken up because of Portuguese forces which invaded in 1665. The Portuguese had been in Kongo since 148. Relations were well maintained at first, but the Portuguese began enslaving Kongolese people and the kingdom began to fall apart. The Portuguese forces invaded the country and defeated the kings forces and killed him. This is when it all seems to have gone wrong for the residents of Kongo (Spitzer). Before all this invading happened Kongo was doing very well for itself. They had a good government, and had everything they needed. Then the Portuguese came in to town and messed everything up. Why did they do this? Was it because they could not live on what they had on their own? I do not think so. They felt they were stronger, so they decided to impose their will no these peaceful people. Looking at this from the Kongolese point of view, it was terrible. Their way of life was gone, including their homes, and their families. As described in the Conrad novel Heart of Darkness, the slavery was common. He recalls a time when a building goes up in flames, and a slave is blamed. For this, without any proof, he is severely beaten.
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Changing point of views, this was good for the Portuguese. They could get many natural resources they didn't have, and could use these to trade with other countries. They also had a whole country full of who can do their work for them. They can just use the native people living there to do much of their work, for much cheaper than paying some of their own people. They also had all this new land to live on, and make themselves become more powerful in the eyes of the rest of the world. So looking at it like this, it is a great deal, it does not get much better than this. No wonder it still happens today.
Along with the Portuguese, the Europeans came along. During the 1400's through the 1800's both of them were there to purchase slaves and ivory from the coasts. The European explorers did not reach the interior of present day Congo (as seen in fig. ) until the late 1800's. In 1880 a peace treaty was signed, which placed the area north of the Congo River under French protection. This area became a territory in the French Equatorial Africa in 10. Middle Congo gained internal self-government in 158, and became independent on August 15, 160. Since then they have been struggling to get their country under control.
They have some successful areas, such as the capital, Brazzaville. It has become the largest city, and a commercial center. It is located along the Congo River, which happens to be the fifth largest river in the world. But since they have been on their own they have not had much luck getting stabilized. Fulbert Youlouwas the first president and he was forced to resign by the army and trade unions in 16. Since that time there has been many different presidents in power, along with quite a few assassinations. In 1, Congo took a huge step in the right direction. The voters approved a new constitution, in hope for a better future (Decalo). They seem to understand they need a change, and want to change, which is at least half of the battle. Now it is putting it all into action. While they are trying to change many wars have broken out. Since 17 they have been hit hard with civil wars especially. Recently, current president Joseph Kabila was successful in getting Rwandan troops to leave eastern Congo, as well as the rest of the warring forces, in hopes of setting up a government of national unity.
What should other countries do to help, if anything? Because it could be argued that is how they got in this situation in the first place. As in the world right now, the U.S. trying to help out Iraqis. The view of one country, and their idea of help, may not be the same as the country being "helped". The world outside of Congo can help out their leaders by possibly setting up plans for them, and kind of push them in the right direction. It may hurt their growth, more than help it if another country does it for them (Gray). They may stumble and fall a few times, and that is where other countries can step in and help them back up.
Now looking back, could this all have been worth it? Kongo, was an empire which was doing very well for itself. And through the times look what has happened to them. It could be looked down upon. Many people think that countries should be left alone, and if trading is to be done, it is to be done on mutual terms. There are just as many who feel that the strong should survive. It may not be right to blame one certain country though. If one of the powers is to blame, then all of them should be blamed. It was as much competition between the countries as it was anything else. If one country got the upper hand the others would suffer, so they would each do anything it would take to prevail. There were things that each of them wanted though. Take Britain for example, they were not interested with the slave trade, it is even suggest they tried to get rid of it all together (Baldwin).
So as it seems, imperialism is here to stay. It is a big factor in our world today. Mainly with our own United States of America. There are many things that we need, or at least think we do, and we go other places to get them. Maybe we should look extra carefully at the past and see what effects imperialism has had on countries even after hundreds of years. Do we need it bad enough to ruin other people countries, homes, and lives? If not maybe we should try to find another way, because if the situation is observed from both sides, one side will not want to end up in the situation Congo, and many other countries are in today.
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