Independent Africa: The Congo Crisis is one of 9 topics in the Grade 12 History CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Which European country ruled the Congo as a colony before its independence in 1960?
Belgium
France
Britain
Portugal
Answer: Belgium — The Congo was ruled as a Belgian colony from 1908 (after earlier being the personal property of Belgian King Leopold II) until independence in 1960.
Easy
2. Who became the Congo's first Prime Minister at independence in 1960?
Patrice Lumumba
Joseph Mobutu
Moise Tshombe
Joseph Kasa-Vubu
Answer: Patrice Lumumba — Patrice Lumumba, leader of the Mouvement National Congolais (MNC), became the Congo's first Prime Minister at independence in June 1960.
Medium
3. On what date did the Congo gain independence from Belgium?
Answer: 30 June 1960 — The Congo became independent from Belgium on 30 June 1960.
