The Democratic Republic of Congo

By MetroYoshi
  • Jan 1, 1200

    Kongo Rises

    The Kongo Empire is coming into formation
  • Period: Jan 1, 1200 to

    Timespan

  • Nov 29, 1482

    Discovered (1482-1700s)

    The Kongo Empire is discovered by Diogo Cao, he "befriend" the king of Kingo and sets ground there. Later, Europeans come to Kongo and set up a slave trade, meaning they exchange slaves.

  • Kinged (1870-77)

    Belgian king Leopold II ventures to Congo while Henry Stanley, a British explorer, sails through the Congo river.

  • Recognition (1873-85)

    Belgian King sends Stanley to spread the word that the Belgians are colonizing Congo. After this, the Belgian king announces that the Congo free state will be created and headed by him.

  • Conquered (1891-1908)

    The Belgians gain control over the Congolese province of Katanga. Meanwhile in Eastern Africa, people are being taken control of. After this, the Belgians make Congo their own colony, making most people slaves and killing many people, either they die from work or are killed by the Belgians.

  • Lost (1955-59)

    Belgians give Congo independence and slowly lose control over the nation after a professor grants them 30 years to form a government.

  • Independence (1960)

    Congo slowly gains independence, they elect Patrice Lumumba as Prime Minister and Joseph Kasavubu as President. After some time, the army of Congo disobeys the rules provided by the government and Moise Tshombe announces that Katanga is independent. Belgians send troops to protect Belgians in the country. The United Nations also sent troops to help bring the disaster to order, but aer not allowed.

  • Murdered (1960-61)

    The president removes the prime minister from the government and the Prime minister is arrested. He is killed in February of the next year. The United nations tries to help and slowly brings down the Katangese army.

  • Over Yet (1963-64)

    Katanga's outrage is calmed and stopped by Moise Tshombe and Kasavunu makes him Prime Minister.

  • Mobutu (1965-71)

    Joseph Mobutu gains control over Congo after expelling them from the government. Joseph renames Congo Zaire, as well as the Congo River to the Zaire River. Katanga becomes Shaba.

  • Alliances (1973-93)

    Mobutu ties and trades with the Belgians, gaining power over all the citizens of Congo. The people protest Mobutu with anti-Mobutu governments.

  • Close to Freedom (1994-97)

    There is a big war in Rwanda with over 800,000 dead. Mobutu allows backfire. After agreeing to stop this war, Mobutu tries to make the country democratic.

  • Freedom (1997-99)

    Mubutu loses power and Laurent-Desire Kabila becomes President. The country is renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo and all is much better. A United Nations group called MONUC helps to restore the DRC and help it become a wealthy country.