Constitutional developments within Congo led to the growth of nationalism. When the demand for reforms increased, the Belgians granted the Congolese a right of electing local and municipal councils.

The influence of the 2^nd World War: During this Great War, a number of Congolese of the Force Republique fought on the side of the allies. This exposed them to new ideas, people and weapons.

The formation of political parties. The 1957 constitutional reform gave room to the formation of political associations.

The economic depression of 1955 - 1956. There was a fall in the prices of Rubber, Copper , Tea and Coffee on the world market.

The influence of professor A. Bilsen. In 1956, professor Van A. Bilsen of Antwerp University published a 30 year plan for the emancipation of Belgian Congo.

The influence of the Catholic Church. The marriage between the Church and state broke down when the Colonial government established schools and started providing education.

The 1958 independence of Congo Brazzaville led to the rise of nationalism in Belgian Congo.

The impact of the 1958 World Trade Fair. This took place in Brussels and was attended by a number of nationalists from different parts of the world- including Belgian Congo.

The influence of the 1958 Accra conference.

The 1959 riots. On returning from Accra, Patrice Lumumba formed the MNC with headquarters in Leopoldville.

Forced agricultural programmes. The Congolese were forced to grow cotton and in 1933, a decree introduced compulsory labour for 60 days for each Congolese.

The wind of change in Africa, Through out North, West and East Africa, the British and French colonial masters were preparing their colonies for independence.

The 1954 change of government in Brussels led to nationalism in Congo.

Support from King Bondouin.

The rise of educated Africans.

Support from the new governors. The new governor, Maurice Van Hemelrijk speeded up Congo's pace to independence.

"Congo Belgium got independence on a silver plate". Discuss.

Preamble: Brief background to Congo Belgium. Show factors that facilitated a smooth change from colonialism to independence in Belgian Congo vis-a-vis obstacles met during independence struggle. Standpoint.

Congo was a Belgian colony from 1908-1960 when it got independence under Patrice Lumumba's MNC. It came to a political scene in respect to struggle for independence effectively after the World War II. Some historians have entertained doubt whether Congo got independence on a silver plate but a scrutiny of the events and factors leading to her independence clearly drive the fact home.

The decline in the economy of Congo-Belgium forced the Belgians to withdraw from Congo. This was a blessing in disguise for the Congolese;

Congo was becoming uneconomical to the Belgians; people were then paying taxes to political parties not the government.

Copper prices had fallen on world market hence decline in investment, unemployment was rampant in urban centres and there was growing need to leave Congo.

External pressure from the Catholic Church in Belgium helped Congo to get independence.

The Algerian war of independence (1954-62) threatened the Belgian interests in Congo.

The formation of MNC contributed to the zeal of the Congolese in the struggle for independence.

The World Trade Show held in Brussels needs mention when explaining the achievement of independence in Belgium Congo.

The release of Patrice Lumumba was like adding oil to the brooding fire in the struggle to achieve independence in Belgian Congo.

The acceptance of Belgium to organize independence elections was also a step towards transfer to independence in Congo.

The ability of Congo to get independence mainly through peaceful means was clear indication that it was just granted.

Despite the assertion that independence came on a silver plate, one cannot dispense with the fact that the Congolese met numerous obstacles.

Conservatism of the Belgian imperialists delayed the return to freedom of the Congolese.

Dictatorship of the Belgian imperialists made it difficult for the Congolese nationalists to gain independence.

The large size of Congo Belgium and the nature of population distribution made difficult the work of nationalists in the spread of nationalistic propaganda.

Congo's population was spread through great forests and grasslands hence evolving into many communities and cultures. People were unable to combine independence of common interests.

The existence of 27 political parties aggravated the problems that nationalists were already facing during the struggle to attain freedom.

Ideological differences should also be blamed for the hard time that the nationalists had during the struggle to attain freedom in Belgium Congo.

While some Congolese supported unitarism (Patrice Lumumba), others were in for federalism (Kasavubu and Moise Tshombe).

The divide and rule policy of the Belgians also acted to block the way to smooth transfer of independence in Congo: Congo had over 200 ethnic groups.

The poor education system kept the Congolese in a 'shadow' of the world of political consciousness.

The brutal suppression of the Matadi riots was also a problem to the Congolese.

Assess the role of Patrice Lumumba in the decolonisation of Belgian Congo.

Approach: Definition of decolonization. Identification of Patrice Lumumba. Analyse Lumumba's role vis-a-vis other factors in the colonization of Belgian Congo. Standpoint

Patrice Lumumba (1925-1961) was born in Kasai. Despite his low academic status he steered Congo-Belgium to independence in 1960.

Lumumba formed MNC in 1958 as a way to guide the independence struggle in Belgium Congo.

Lumumba participated in the All African Peoples Conference (AAPC).

His strong speech against colonialism inspired Lumumba. No doubt when Lumumba returned home in 1959, he addressed a big gathering at Leopoldville after which riots broke out and threatened the Belgian authorities to the effect that they showed willingness to decolonise.

The arrest of Lumumba galvanised sympathy for him while in prison.

Lumumba participated in the 1960 elections to prepare for the return to independence in Congo.

Other Factors. The Matadi riots of 1959. The change in attitude of Belgian imperialists

Ghana's independence. The World Trade Show. The Algerian war of independence (1954-9162). The pre-independence elections. The role of the Catholic Church in Belgium and Professors.

The coming to power of General De Gaulle in 1958 also helped Congo. He granted French Guinea independence in 1958. In 1960, other French West African Colonies got independence. This inspired Congolese to agitate for independence; even Belgian imperialists could not deny this independence.

Account for the outbreak of the 1960 Congo crisis.