Research Paper ProposalBy Hassan Mudane

• Name: Hassan Mudane• Student Number: 100044249• University Name: Istanbul Ticaret University • Supervisor: Ahmed Ozturk• Date: 06.04.2017• Title of the Paper: Examination of the Impact

of Colonialism on Congo

Background

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), located in Central Africa, is the second largest country in the continent and one of the most geographically distinctive and rich mineral countries in the world.It is one of the most brutal and exploitative colonial administrations in modern history.

Africa today is underdevelopment in relation to West. ... And a few other parts of the world; and that the present position has been arrived at, not by the separate evolution of Africa on the one hand and Europe on the other, but through exploitation. (Rodney, 1982, P. 33).

[However], Colonization of Africa by European countries was a monumental milestone in the development of Africa. The Africans consider the impact of colonization on them to be perhaps the most important factor in understanding the present condition of the African continent and of the African people.

Therefore, a close scrutiny of the phenomenon of colonialism is necessary to appreciate the degree to which it influenced not only the economic and political development of Africa but also the African perceptions of themselves. (Khapoya, 1994, P. 99).

[When it comes] the details and motivations behind [the colonization of Africa] it is best to leave to the historians, but the results of this imperial competition are obvious. Whether it was for economic, strategic or cultural reasons, agreements ratified at the 1884–85 Berlin Conference (and after) saw Africa carved up between the European powers.

Only the empire of Ethiopia and the territory of Liberia (a country established for freed slaves) escaped this partition.

France favoured North, West and Central Africa; Britain claimed great chunks of West, East, Central and Southern Africa; Portugal took the territories of Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau; King Léopold of Belgium was awarded the Congo; Italy established control in Libya, Eritrea and part of Somalia; Spain did likewise in north Morocco, the Spanish Sahara and Spanish Guinea; while Germany gained areas in the south-west and the east of the continent, as well as the Cameroons and Togoland. (Thomson, 2010).

Thus, in this research, I will explore the colonial legacy in Congo and exams interpretations of this history by Western scholars. The proposed research paper will begin with an examination of the impact of colonialism on Congo. How did Colonialism Affect people in Congo? Why Congo did not benefit from Colonialism? These are the two questions that this research will address.

Research Problem

The literature on Colonialism in Africa, particular in Congo is written by Western scholars. They tried to make interpretation of the Congolese Colonial Experience by looking at the problems caused by the Colonial powers through the lenses of white glasses instead of black glasses. Therefore, to come up conclusion by making generalizations about the conditions in Africa is not easy. Thinkers do not divorce themselves from their beliefs when they think theories into existence. As Robert Cox once remarked ‘Theory is always for someone and for some purpose.’

However, there is believed that the truth about the Leopold’s crimes was deliberately hidden to protect Belgium and Belgian inches in the Congo. Thus, this research will try to reveal the historical biased of Congolese Colonial experience, and also will try to exam the problems of the Congolese colonial experience through the lenses of black glasses. Different critical assessments are needed to correct each of these biases and I have a number of ways to cover with them.

Purpose Statement

The main aim of this research is to exam the impact of colonialism on Congo. This shall lead to the following objective:

• To critically evaluate the literature on Colonialism in Africa, particular in Congo.

Research Questions

1. How did Colonialism Affect people in Congo? 2. Why Congolese did not benefit from Colonialism?

Hypothesis

Congo never benefited from colonialism.

Methodology

The methodology of this research is based on mainly literature review. I will also use a historical review as a method.

Bibliography

Several extensive searches of the critical literature were referred to. African Experience by Vincent B. Khapoya, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa by Walter Rodney. King Leopold’s Ghost by Adam Hochschild. Foreign Policy analysis: A comparative introduction by Marijke Breuning were also of great help.