Imperialism in Europe was all the rage in the 19th and early 20th century. Europeans laid eyes on Africa and realized the potential of Africa’s resources. European nations in the late 19th C. expanded with the precept of ‘civilizing’ Africa but, also with the hidden intention of reaping profit, exploiting trade and the ongoing competition between European empires. The Free State of Congo was a peculiar scenario and the Belgian monarch had a certain grip on Congo. Leopold’s reign of the Congo started with many promises of great prosperity for the Congolese. His promises would not materialize. Leopold’s main desire was resources and a source of wealth, his false precept of civilization were contradicted by his agents in the Congo. These contradictions
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He persuaded his monarch with his letter, stating that the Congo would inevitably bring an abundant amount of wealth to Belgium. Leopold promises wealth and he states that he would cooperate with the natives. He convinces the Belgian government by comparing Congo with Belgium, he said that both states was once small and how Brussels rose to prominence. By comparing Belgium and Congo, he states how Belgium was once like Congo. Thus, Leopold gains the trust of his government with his letter and reassures that Congo would become a prosperous colony. He declares himself Sovereign ruler of the Free State of Congo. Leopold’s addiction with the state of Congo is finally realized when he announces himself sovereign ruler. Furthermore, Leopold’s project is clearly stated in his letter to his agents in the Congo. He wrote that, “The task which the Belgian agents have to accomplish in the Congo is noble. It is incumbent upon them [necessary] to carry on the work of civilization in Africa”. Leopold the II, states that his agents are doing everything in their well-being to civilize Africa. In his letter he writes that the European experience will aid them to cultivate their land and the help the natives lack of knowledge of producing daily food. Leopold’s two letters demonstrate the contradictions of his missionary project, he thinks he is superior than the Congolese people. Leopold names himself the sovereign ruler …show more content…
Kipling a British poet wrote “The White Man’s Burden”, this poem was about the people of ‘western’ civilizations that they were destined to aid the lesser people. This burden harnessed the idea that empires should imperialize to ‘virgin’ nations in Africa or Asia. This poem sparked the Europeans that they were inherently better than Africans and Leopold especially believed this. The tyranny in the Congo was slowly being announced to the world and the “White Man’s Burden”, was slowly scrutinized by the white men. European civilians and government officials have finally taken noticed but this would not stop Leopold’s reign in the Congo. Morel a journalist in Britain learned about the horrors in the Congo. So he wrote “The Black Man’s Burden”. Morel wrote this, “It kills not the body merely, but the soul. It breaks the spirit. It attacks the African at every turn, from every point of vantage”. He states that imperialized Africans are not gaining knowledge on how to civilize but the hidden intention of imperialism is to show European dominance. Morel a white man realizes that their is internal differences in European civilizations and African civilizations. That Leopold and European monarchs are too focused on power, development, and wealth. The Africans are more in tune with culture and spirituality. Morel’s article became
He persuaded his monarch with his letter, stating that the Congo would inevitably bring an abundant amount of wealth to Belgium. Leopold promises wealth and he states that he would cooperate with the natives. He convinces the Belgian government by comparing Congo with Belgium, he said that both states was once small and how Brussels rose to prominence. By comparing Belgium and Congo, he states how Belgium was once like Congo. Thus, Leopold gains the trust of his government with his letter and reassures that Congo would become a prosperous colony. He declares himself Sovereign ruler of the Free State of Congo. Leopold’s addiction with the state of Congo is finally realized when he announces himself sovereign ruler. Furthermore, Leopold’s project is clearly stated in his letter to his agents in the Congo. He wrote that, “The task which the Belgian agents have to accomplish in the Congo is noble. It is incumbent upon them [necessary] to carry on the work of civilization in Africa”. Leopold the II, states that his agents are doing everything in their well-being to civilize Africa. In his letter he writes that the European experience will aid them to cultivate their land and the help the natives lack of knowledge of producing daily food. Leopold’s two letters demonstrate the contradictions of his missionary project, he thinks he is superior than the Congolese people. Leopold names himself the sovereign ruler …show more content…
Kipling a British poet wrote “The White Man’s Burden”, this poem was about the people of ‘western’ civilizations that they were destined to aid the lesser people. This burden harnessed the idea that empires should imperialize to ‘virgin’ nations in Africa or Asia. This poem sparked the Europeans that they were inherently better than Africans and Leopold especially believed this. The tyranny in the Congo was slowly being announced to the world and the “White Man’s Burden”, was slowly scrutinized by the white men. European civilians and government officials have finally taken noticed but this would not stop Leopold’s reign in the Congo. Morel a journalist in Britain learned about the horrors in the Congo. So he wrote “The Black Man’s Burden”. Morel wrote this, “It kills not the body merely, but the soul. It breaks the spirit. It attacks the African at every turn, from every point of vantage”. He states that imperialized Africans are not gaining knowledge on how to civilize but the hidden intention of imperialism is to show European dominance. Morel a white man realizes that their is internal differences in European civilizations and African civilizations. That Leopold and European monarchs are too focused on power, development, and wealth. The Africans are more in tune with culture and spirituality. Morel’s article became