Imperialism In The Congo Research Paper

Imperialism has been a major factor in world history since the beginning of time. Conquering land, people, resources, and markets has been a goal of many nations. Different conquered nations respond to imperialism in their own individual ways, however similarities can also be found. According to Gondola (2009), in Africa, European influence began in the Congo as Europeans explored the Congo River as a resource and a means of transportation. This was followed by European diplomatic ties with many of the native chiefs in the Congo. Then the Roman Catholic Church moved into the area. As Europeans gained more power in the Congo, the slave trade began to prosper there. (Gondola, 2009) Eventually, King Leopold of Belgium made treaties with over 450 native chiefs through explorer Henry M. Stanley, as indicated by the reference page found on Professor Joseph V. O’Brien’s website. Stanley acquired control of the Congo for Leopold in return for an agreement of assistance and protection for the native
chiefs and their Congo territories and peoples. According to Brinkmeyer and Pate (1998) Leopold abused his power in the Congo to the point where the Belgian government interceded and took control of the area. The Belgian governement was still harsh to the people of the Congo, but the “government did improve working and living conditions somewhat.” (Brinkmeyer and Pate, 1998) In the 1950’s the people of the Congo worked toward self rule and set up political parties. They ended up winning an election in 1960. (Brinkmeyer and Pate, 1998) Indochina (Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam) was in a similar situation before imperialism as “invaders [came in and] took more desirable areas along the rivers.” (Herring, 2009) Also similar to the people of the Congo, invaders, the Tai, called the people of the region “kah” or “slave or savage”. In contrast to the Congo, the people of Indochina staged revolutions against the invaders and worked to keep their country free. However, in the 1800’s French development began to sweep the area. As in the Congo, Roman Catholic missionaries came in and began to ease the transition for the French to make their move. Soon treaties were signed and Indochina became a French protectorate. In 1946 Indochina waged a war for its independence. The conflict ended in 1954 with the independence of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. (Herring, 2009) Both areas were similar in that the rivers and other resources were the initial target for imperialistic countries. Invading countries carefully made their way into the weaker nations beginning with missionary work and diplomay. Treaties were then signed giving power to the empire. Indochina was able to put up more of a fight against the imperialistic power.
The Congo, however, was able to gain their indepence with less fighting. In both areas, self rule turned out to be difficult for the newly freed nations and much conflict insued. Conflict in Indochina eventually lead to the Vietnam War.

References
Brinkmeyer, L. & Pate, C. (1998). Imperialism in the congo. Retrieved March 12, 2009 from http://asms.k12.ar.us/classes/humanities/worldstud/97-
98/imper/congo/zaire.htm
Gondola, C. D. (2009) Congo (Kinshasa). World Book Student online. Retrieved
March 12, 2009 from http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar129349&st=the+congo
Herring, G. C. (2009) Indochina. World Book Student online. Retrieved
March 12, 2009 from http://www.worldbookonine.com/student/article?id=ar275440&st=indochina O’Brien, J. V. (n.d.) Stanley’s congo treaty. Retieved March 12, 2009 from
http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~jobrien/reference/ob111.html