48 Questions
Who governed the Congo as personal property initially?
King Leopold II of Belgium
What was extracted from the Congo during King Leopold's regime?
Rubber and ivory
What led to the Belgian government taking control of the Congo in 1908?
International outrage over human rights abuses
What was used by the U.S. in World War II?
Uranium
What was the plan for the Congo's transition to independence?
A long transition over 30 years
What was the outcome of the pressure from international forces and internal demands?
Sudden independence
Who supported the secession of the Katanga region?
Belgian mining interests and foreign mercenaries
Who was the Prime Minister of the Congo after independence?
Patrice Lumumba
What happened to the Congo immediately after independence?
It plunged into chaos
Why was Patrice Lumumba dismissed by Kasavubu?
For seeking Soviet assistance
Who seized power in a coup in 1965?
Joseph Mobutu
What characterized Joseph Mobutu's rule?
Corruption, human rights abuses, and economic mismanagement
What is the legacy of colonialism in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Immense mineral wealth alongside profound poverty and underdevelopment
What continues to affect the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Patterns of political instability, conflict, and fragmentation
Why is the Democratic Republic of the Congo of geopolitical significance?
Due to its mineral resources
What is a long-term legacy of the post-independence period?
Economic dependency
What was the main reason for the transfer of power from King Leopold II to the Belgian government in 1908?
International outrage over human rights abuses
What was a consequence of the rubber and ivory extraction under King Leopold's regime?
A significant reduction in the Congolese population
What was a characteristic of the Belgian colonial rule in the Congo?
Reluctance to prepare the Congo for independence
What was a consequence of the sudden independence of the Congo?
Chaos and crisis
What was the significance of June 30, 1960?
The day the Congo gained independence
What was a feature of the path to independence in the Congo?
Limited preparation for independence
What was an economic activity during the Belgian colonial rule?
Extraction of valuable minerals like uranium, copper, and cobalt
What was a consequence of the exploitation of the Congo's resources?
A significant reduction in the Congolese population
What was the primary reason for Patrice Lumumba's dismissal by Kasavubu?
Lumumba's leaning towards the Soviet Union during the Cold War
Which of the following best describes the current state of the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
A country with immense mineral wealth but profound poverty
What was the primary motivation behind the Western powers' support for Patrice Lumumba's assassination?
Lumumba's leaning towards the Soviet Union during the Cold War
What is the main reason for the ongoing struggles in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The struggle for control of mineral resources
What was the primary reason for Joseph Mobutu's seizure of power in 1965?
To counter Soviet influence
What is the legacy of colonialism in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in terms of its economy?
Immense mineral wealth alongside profound poverty
What has continued to affect the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the post-independence period?
Patterns of political instability, conflict, and fragmentation
What is the primary reason for the ongoing international interest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The country's immense mineral wealth
What was the primary motivation behind the Congolese people's struggle for independence?
Yearning for self-governance and an end to exploitation
What was the significant consequence of the rubber and ivory extraction under King Leopold's regime?
Significant reduction in the population due to disease
What characterized the Belgian colonial rule in the Congo?
Direct brutality and exploitation
What was the outcome of the pressure from international forces and internal demands on the Congo?
Immediate independence
What was the primary characteristic of the path to independence in the Congo?
Limited preparation and sudden independence
What was the primary motivation behind the secession of the mineral-rich Katanga region?
To weaken the central government and Patrice Lumumba's leadership
What was the primary consequence of the exploitation of the Congo's resources?
Depletion of resources and underdevelopment
What was the immediate outcome of the Congo's independence?
Immediate crisis and chaos
What was the main consequence of Patrice Lumumba's leaning towards the Soviet Union?
The United States and Belgium covertly supported his assassination
What is the legacy of colonialism in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
A profound and complex narrative of exploitation
What characterized Joseph Mobutu's rule?
Corruption, human rights abuses, and economic mismanagement
What is the primary legacy of colonialism in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Immense mineral wealth existing alongside profound poverty and underdevelopment
What has continued to affect the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the post-independence period?
Patterns of political instability, conflict, and fragmentation
Why is the Democratic Republic of the Congo of geopolitical significance?
Because of its immense mineral wealth
What is a long-term legacy of the post-independence period in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Patterns of political instability, conflict, and fragmentation
What has continued to attract international interest and intervention in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Its immense mineral wealth
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