Congo
Congo has had a sad and difficult past. The first Europeans to stumble across Congo were the Portuguese. The Congolese quickly embraced the gospel message they received and converted to Christianity. Sadly the Portuguese betrayed the people and used them in their slave trade.
Because Congo is home to the second largest rain forest in the world it was extremely difficult to navigate keeping Europeans out of the heart of the nation. It wasn't until 1885 when King Leopold II of Belgium hired Henry Stanley to explore the area that Europeans first saw and mapped the region. Through a serious of deceitful and cunning acts King Leopold II became the owner of the Congo Free State, one of the largest pieces of Africa to ever be carved out. Leopold's reign of terror led to an estimated 10 million deaths.
After the efforts of many outspoken humanitarians Leopold's reign of terror ended with the nation of Belgium taking ownership of the Congo. Although things did improve in Congo and it even became the leading colony in African health care the people still suffered. The booming copper industry led to fantastic rain and road systems. Tensions were rising in Congo in the 1950's and with the threat of an unwinable war Belgium finally granted Congo its freedom. An outspoken and passionate man named Patrice Lumumba became the countries first prime minister. He was well loved throughout Congo and filled with great ideas. Sadly with cold war tensions rising when Lumumba refused to side against the USSR he was assassinated through the help ad approval of both Belgium and the USA.
In Time a young soldiers saw and opportunity to seize power and Mobutu Sese Seko became the president of Congo. He began a process known as Zairianation where everything and everyone in the country was encouraged to be more African and not embrace European dress or customs. All the city and geographical points were renamed more African names. The Nation was renamed Zaire. Mobutu maintained power through force and forced the people to practice hero worship including dancing in the streets whenever he came to town. When copper prices lowered the economy people began to turn against him and the country began to deteriorate. By 1990 Desere Kabila was preparing for a full scaled war and the 90's were filled with war and death. Uganda and Rwanda joined in the first Congo war and with Mobutu's failing health easily seized control of the country. Shortly after Kabila reigned on most of his promises leading to the infamous second Congo war, the bloodiest war since WWII leading to over 5 million deaths.
Kabila was assassinated and his son Joseph Kabila became the president of Congo. Stability slowly returned to the area. The nation still suffers resurgences of violence and great instability.
Because Congo is home to the second largest rain forest in the world it was extremely difficult to navigate keeping Europeans out of the heart of the nation. It wasn't until 1885 when King Leopold II of Belgium hired Henry Stanley to explore the area that Europeans first saw and mapped the region. Through a serious of deceitful and cunning acts King Leopold II became the owner of the Congo Free State, one of the largest pieces of Africa to ever be carved out. Leopold's reign of terror led to an estimated 10 million deaths.
After the efforts of many outspoken humanitarians Leopold's reign of terror ended with the nation of Belgium taking ownership of the Congo. Although things did improve in Congo and it even became the leading colony in African health care the people still suffered. The booming copper industry led to fantastic rain and road systems. Tensions were rising in Congo in the 1950's and with the threat of an unwinable war Belgium finally granted Congo its freedom. An outspoken and passionate man named Patrice Lumumba became the countries first prime minister. He was well loved throughout Congo and filled with great ideas. Sadly with cold war tensions rising when Lumumba refused to side against the USSR he was assassinated through the help ad approval of both Belgium and the USA.
In Time a young soldiers saw and opportunity to seize power and Mobutu Sese Seko became the president of Congo. He began a process known as Zairianation where everything and everyone in the country was encouraged to be more African and not embrace European dress or customs. All the city and geographical points were renamed more African names. The Nation was renamed Zaire. Mobutu maintained power through force and forced the people to practice hero worship including dancing in the streets whenever he came to town. When copper prices lowered the economy people began to turn against him and the country began to deteriorate. By 1990 Desere Kabila was preparing for a full scaled war and the 90's were filled with war and death. Uganda and Rwanda joined in the first Congo war and with Mobutu's failing health easily seized control of the country. Shortly after Kabila reigned on most of his promises leading to the infamous second Congo war, the bloodiest war since WWII leading to over 5 million deaths.
Kabila was assassinated and his son Joseph Kabila became the president of Congo. Stability slowly returned to the area. The nation still suffers resurgences of violence and great instability.
Recommended Books
King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild
This book describes how Congo was mapped out and came to be the personal property of King Leopold II of Belgium. It describes the terrible atrocities that were committed in the country and bring to light how the country became what it is today.
In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz by Michela Wrong
This book describes how Mobutu Sese Seko took power and made Congo what it is today. This book sheds light on the source of Congo's current problems.
Consuming the Congo: War and Conflict Minerals in the World's Deadliest Place by Peter Eichstaedt
An excellent book about the war in Eastern Congo and the role that conflict minerals are playing in it. The author interviews local people and does a fantastic job of explaining the conflict from a Congolese perspective instead of merely quoting foreigners opinions of the matter.
This book describes how Congo was mapped out and came to be the personal property of King Leopold II of Belgium. It describes the terrible atrocities that were committed in the country and bring to light how the country became what it is today.
In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz by Michela Wrong
This book describes how Mobutu Sese Seko took power and made Congo what it is today. This book sheds light on the source of Congo's current problems.
Consuming the Congo: War and Conflict Minerals in the World's Deadliest Place by Peter Eichstaedt
An excellent book about the war in Eastern Congo and the role that conflict minerals are playing in it. The author interviews local people and does a fantastic job of explaining the conflict from a Congolese perspective instead of merely quoting foreigners opinions of the matter.