Impact of Imperialism on Peoples' Lives


Culture and Language
Positive:
-Brought formal education systems to the Congo
-Many indigenous languages were taught in the schools that the government sponsored
-Had greatly improved healthcare once the Congo became Belgian Congo- healthcare improve steadily throughout the time of Belgian Congo
  
Negative:
-Congolese peoples were discriminated against, had curfews and were banned from local “white” establishments
-Segregated the Congolese people because of their colour and culture
-Culture was being destroyed by the devastation and lack of personal rights
-Roman Catholic Church and some Protestant Church's forced their religion and values upon the indigenous people
-Once they were granted independence they were not left with enough education to cultivate and develop a country

 
Population

Positive:
-After the Congo was granted independence from Belgium the population began to grow again somewhat
-Due to the devastation of resources and lack of farming, a small population was important at first for the Congo to support itself

Negative:
-Leopold originally ruled approximately 30 million people in the Congo
-Scholars estimate that Leopold's brutal treatment of the Congolese reduced population anywhere from 10-50%
-Main causes of death were war, starvation, forced labor, largely reduced birthrate and disease, some of which continued to be present after his rule ended

 
Land and resources

Positive:
-Railroads, ports and mines were built as a result of the Belgian rule and exploitation of resources
-Made some jobs and opportunities for the Congolese

Negative
-Over-exploited rubber from Congo region and rubber gradually diminished throughout the Congo.
-The Belgians used the resources of the Congo to make money for itself
-Belgium had complete control over all the minerals in the country
-Due to the forced labor, Congolese people were unable to continue their common jobs of farming and hunting which resulted in starvation across the country


Economic Well-Being 
Positive:
-Palm oil production in the Congo increased from 2500 tons to 23000 tons in just 43 years
-Cotton production increased from 23000 in 1932 to 127000 in 1939

Negative:
-Profits from mining in the Congo was given to Europe, Congolese people never saw the rewards of their labour
-Crops were grown to be sold in Europe leaving the Congolese to starve
-During the depression, because the Congo was a mainly export based economy, 70% of people lost their jobs

Political Autonomy
Positive:
-The Congo was given independence from Belgium in 1960 and gained control over their own government, education and resources

Negative:
-Belgians destroyed the existing political structure of the country, when the Congo was given independence from Belgium the indigenous people did not have any political structure
-Lots of civil war in the country because of the lack of unifying institutions
-After independence Belgians held many high positions in military and government in the Congo
-Many of the villages in the Congo are divided and wars are frequent due to the poor rule of the Belgians