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Jan 1, 1483
European's first findings
In 1483, Captain Diogo Cao traveled down the Congo river and came apon what was then refurred to as the Kongo Kindgom. -
Jan 1, 1510
Slave Trade
The slave trade made a huge impact on the people of Congo. It is estimated that the Congo had over 350,000 people traded during the Altanic Slave Trade. -
Conrad's Birth
Jozef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski born in Berdichev, Ukraine to Polish aristocratic parents. At the time this was in the Russian control.He was the only child to Evelina Bobrowska and Apollo Korzeniowski. -
Exile
Conrad's Father was an open supporter of the the serfs and critic of Poland’s oppressors. This led to his family being exiled by the Russians and forced to move to Vologda in Northern Russia when Conrad was only 4 years old. -
Tuberculosis
After the famlily was forced to move, Conrad's parents had a hard time adjusting to the new surroundings. They both contrated Tuberculosis and later died from it, Evelina in 1865, Apollo in 1869. -
Move to Poland
After the death of both of Conrad's parents, he move in with his uncle Tadeusz Bobrowski. His uncle helped him grow and was a great metor to him. While living there he learned French, Polish, Latin, and Greek. -
Scamble to Africa
Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza led a series of French expeditions into the interior insearch for oils, rubber, and cotton. -
Leaving Home
Conrad always wanted to be a sailor. In 1874 he moved to France to become a sailor which later become his career aking him all over the world. -
Troubles at Sea
While Corad was having problems with debt and life, he tried to commit sucide by shooting himself in the chest, but was not seriously injured. His unlce later repayed his debts and got him back on his feet again. -
French Control
Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza signed the treaty with King Makoko establishing French control over the Congo. This also established the captial of Mfoa,that was changed to Brazzaville. -
Recognitized by British Powers
On July 1, 1885 the Congo was reconginzed by European powers at the Conference of Berlin. There King Leopold II of Belgium announces the establishment of the Congo Free State and announced himself as the leader -
Journey to Congo
Conrad takes a position on a river steamer for the Societe Anonyme pour le Commerce du Haut-Congo , the experience so vividly reflected in Conrad's Congo Journal and eventually in Heart of Darkness . -
Hand Power
With the high demand for rubber, the people of Congo were forced to meet them or their hands would be severed as punishment. To promote this idea, the leaders were promoted onthe amount of hands they brought to their superiors. -
Writing Beginings
In 1893 he wrtoe Almayer's Follys which was published in 1895. The book received great reviews and sparked his continued interest in writing. -
Marriage
In 1896 Conrad married Jessie George an Englishwome. They had two children together, John and Borys. -
Death of Leopold II
The leader of the Congo dies after his ruling over the people , leaving them with debt and admiting to the crimes he had
committed. -
French again
Because of all of the debt and distruction caused by Leopold II, Congo became a french colony called the French Equatorial Africa with Gabon and Ubangi-Shari. -
French Again
Because of all of the debt and distruction caused by Leopold II, Congo became a french colony called the French Equatorial Africa with Gabon and Ubangi-Shari. -
Conrad's Death
Conrad died on August 3, 1924 from a heart in his home. He is now buried in Canterbury, England. -
Free at last
The Congo was given independence in the 1960's renameing itself, the Republic of Congo -
World War II
The Congo made one of its stongers allies during the world war, making alliances with the Soviet Union, China, and North Korea because the Congo was also a Communist counrty. -
Revolt
The second president Alphonese Massemba-Debat started a Marxist-Leninist government that was unpopular. He was overthrown by Marien Ngouabi. -
Revolt again
President Ngouabi was assassinated after renaming the country People's Republic of the Congo. Joachim Yhombi-Opango was then named the President. -
Really another new leader
Yhombi-Opango was taken out of office because of corrpution and deviation from the parties motives. The Central Committee replaced him with Denis Sassou-Nguesso. -
Compitetion Time
Pascal Lissouba and Denis Sassou faught over presidental power. The war lasted for 4 months killing thousands of citizens and resulted in Sassou's total power. -
New Constitution
In 2002, after the reelection of Sassous, a new constistution was completed which gave new powers to the president, changed the set-up of the government, and made a 7 year presidental term.
