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1st event: The pre-colonial period (pre - 1876) 

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1st event: The pre-colonial period (pre - 1876) 

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What: In the pre-colonial period, the area is known as the Congo Basin and is inhabited by various indigenous groups and kingdoms. These indigenous groups/ kingdoms are known as Kongo, Luba and Lunda.

Why: These groups mostly adhere to their own social, economic and political beliefs/ rules and have no European influence.

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2nd event: Scramble for Africa ( Late 19th century) 

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2nd event: Scramble for Africa ( Late 19th century) 

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What: The scramble for Africa was a time where many European countries tried to compete for control over African Territories. Many of these countries included Belgium, Denmark, France, and many more.

When: This happed in the late 29th century, particularly in the 1880s.

Where: The Congo Basin is located in central Africa, and it became quite a prime area of interest.

Why: Many European nations had the idea to exploit African territories for resources, markets, and other advantages.

How: European countries often used things such as treaties, diplomacy, and force to establish control over African territories.

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3rd event: Belgian Annexation (1876- 1908) 

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3rd event: Belgian Annexation (1876- 1908) 

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What: King Leopold the Second, was the king of Belgium and established personal control over the Congo Basin, forming the Congo free state.

When: This happened between 1876 and 1908.

Where: This happened in the Congo Basin, including present-day Democratic Republic of Congo.

Why: Leopold was seeking to exploit materials such as rubber, and ivory for personal profit. These resources were particularly abundant in these areas.

How: Leopold's agents used brutal methods, these of which included forced labor, and violence in order to maintain control and extract resources.

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What: The Congo free state became infamous for the brutal exploitation of African labor and resources.

When: This happened between the Late 19th century and early 20th century.

Where: Belgian Congo.

Why: Belgian authorities were seeking private companies in order to maximize profit from ivory and rubber.

How: This happened through forced labor, violence, mutilations, and other measures.

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What: As you can see from the title, this is when the Congolese people started to resist the Belgian rule and rebel. They did this through different forms of protests which included rebellion movements and resistance movements.

When: Late 19th century to early 20th century.

Why: The Congolese were tired of being oppressed and abused. They wanted to resist exploitation, forced labor, and other forms of oppression.

How: The resistance took various forms, including uprisings with weapons, protests and attempts to maintain traditional ways of life despite the European influences.

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What: The Congo finally gained independence from Belgium and they become the Republic of the Congo.

When: Congo gained independence on the 30th of June, 1960.

Where: This happened in the newly independent Republic of the Congo.

Why: Congolese nationalist movements, combined with international pressure, led to Belgium granting freedom.

How: Negotiations between Belgian authorities and Congolese nationalists, along with political developments within Belgium, lead to the granting of independence.