Belgian colonial rule over the Congo (nov 15, 1908 – jun 30, 1960)

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When power over the Congo was transferred under the ownership of the Belgian state, few things changed in regards to the "political control and compulsion" that occurred in the region (Lemarchand). "Belgian paternalism" was a cornerstone of Belgian colonial rule of the Congo, where natives were often treated like "children," and though the "more brutal aspects of the Congo Free State" were liminated, "Belgian rule remained conspicuously unreceptive to political reform" (Lemarchand). Belgian rule placed Western ideals and "moral principles" far above any "political education" for the natives or "social responsibility," and essentially erasing "initiatives designed to foster political experience and responsibility" so the native Congolese may self-govern (Lemarchand). Theoretically, western interference in Congolese affairs was meant as a benefit the native people in order to 'civilize' their societies and assist in creating better social and political organization within the region in order to reduce civil conflicts. However, western rule instead served to drain the region of resources and autonomy. That being said, educational institutions that served to assimilate the Congolese people to Western ways of life resulted in the emergence of "Westernized Africans" who began to rise to the middle class, "exercis[ing] their political rights" set the stage for Congo nationalism (Lemarchand).
Such a foundation came to fruition in 1956, when "a political manifesto calling for immediate independence" represented "the political wakening of the Congolese population" (Lemarchand). Through harnessing anti-western sentiment that proliferated the region due to the atrocities and disrespect during the Congo Free State and Belgian colonial rule as well as rising revolutionary Western ideals of liberty and equality for all, the process of decolonization began. From the educated Congolese perspective, they were due the same amount of respect and right to independence and sovereignty as the Western world who had just recently fought and was fighting for social and racial justice and equality. However, for a prolonged period of time, the Belgian regime of the time resisted relinquishing their hold over the Congo in order to hold onto the Congo's resources, trade prospects, and wealth.

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