What parts of Africa did Belgium control?
Belgium controlled 3 colonies and 3 concessions during its history, the Belgian Congo (modern DRC) from 1908 to 1960, and Ruanda-Urundi (Rwanda and Burundi) from 1922 to 1962. It also had a small concession in China and was a co-administrator of the Tangier International Zone in Morocco.
What did Belgium control?
Belgium controlled the central African country from the 19th Century until it won its independence in 1960. Millions of Africans died during Belgium’s bloody colonial rule.
How did Belgium gain control of Africa?
By the turn of the century, the violence used by Free State officials against indigenous Congolese and a ruthless system of economic exploitation led to intense diplomatic pressure on Belgium to take official control of the country, which it did by creating the Belgian Congo in 1908.
Why did Belgium not want the Congo River region?
However, most of Belgium’s government leaders and citizens did not want to spend the exorbitant amount of money that would be needed to maintain distant colonies. At the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, other European countries did not want the Congo River region.
What are the names of the rivers in Belgium?
Major Rivers Of Belgium Rank Major Rivers of Belgium Total Length 1 Meuse 575 miles (shared with France and the .. 2 Scheldt 220 miles (shared with France and the .. 3 Oise 212 miles (shared with France) 4 Semois 130 miles (shared with France)
Why was Belgium interested in the African colonies?
Then, King Leopold II came to power in 1865 and believed that colonies would greatly enhance Belgium’s wealth and prestige. Leopold’s cruel, greedy activities in the current Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi continue to affect the welfare of these countries today.
How did King Leopold II of Belgium affect Africa?
After many years of segregation, the tension erupted into the 1994 Rwandan genocide, in which 850,000 people died. The economies, political systems, and social welfare in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi have been enormously affected by the greedy ambitions of King Leopold II of Belgium.