The history of the culturally rich and ethnically diverse land that is now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been marked since 1871 to the present time by a number of violent invasions and/or occupations led by neighboring and distant countries acting primarily to exploit the Congolese people and their vast natural resources. In 1960, resistance to Belgium and its brutal history of colonization was successful and a constitutionally based democracy led by elected representatives took power. Almost immediately, however, armed political and financial interference led by regional leaders vying for power, foreign governments fighting proxy Cold War battles in Africa, and multi-national companies focused on investments rather than citizens destabilized the newly freed country.