Belgium+and+Africa

=__**// ﻿Imperialism in Belgium and Africa //**__= = By: Chelsea, Nisan, and Tyler =


 * Belgium took over the Congo in Africa.
 * the people in the Congo were slaves in Belgium
 * when Belgium gained control of the region, it was renamed the Belgian Congo.
 * ﻿From the beginning of the 1500's to the 1800's, hundreds of thousands of people were enslaved in the Congo area and sent to North and South America as slaves.
 * Wealthy Belgians exploited the riches of the Congo, including its //Copper//, //rubber//, and //ivory//.
 * Africans were given little or no role in either the goverment or the economy of the colony.
 * The territories which make up Belgium today, since the Late Middle Ages, have been among the most densely populated in Europe, as the cities of **Flanders** and **Brabant** were centers of a flourishing textile industry, those of **Namur** of a mining and metal industry
 * **King Leopard II** of Belgium hired stanley to explore the Congo River basin and arrange trade treaties with African leaders



The natural resources of the Congo were most important to Leopold's plans. Copper rapidly became one of the colony's major exports. The harvesting of ivory and rubber was also profitable. These industries all relied primarily on indigenous labor.The companies forced native Africans to work for them. In an effort to increase exports, Belgium charged Congolese a tax, which they could pay in rubber. Another law required Africans to work 40 hours a month for the state (the government). Other laws said native Africans had work in construction, make food, and work for the military.



Clearing tropical forests ate away at profit margins. Above, a Congolese farming village is emptied and levelled to make way for a rubber plantation



Explain what were some of the obstacles to controlling the Congo. What were the present day effects of Imperialism?

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