Imperialism in the Congo
Evaluate the impact of European imperialism on the Congo Free State in the early 20th century.
Between the years of 1884 and up until 1959 the Congo Free State (CFS) was extensively impacted by imperialism form the European nation of Belgium. King Leopold II was the main influence and dictator of the CFS. Leopold’s intentions at the beginning of his enquiries to colonise the CFS seemed favourable of the Congolese however this did not play out as Leopold began break promises of decrees, exploit the Congolese and monopolize resources. (Schimmer, 2010)
During 1884 King Leopold attended the conference of berlin, here he was granted almost complete control of the entire CFS. Here Leopold established his goals and developed reasons for his involvement in the CFS. Leopold claimed that he would supress East African slave trade, promote humanitarian policies, guarantee free trade within the Congo Free State and encourage philanthropic and scientific enterprise. However none of King Leopold’s goals were achieved, they were completely disregarded and antagonistic views were established. Leopold firstly acquired all the vacant land in the CFS naming it as state owned, places such as farms, native villages and rubber fields were also state owned. Once again King Leopold began to take more rights away from the Congolese by reducing their rights of individually owned land by giving the right to native villages and farms. However the villages and farms were already owned by the state so essentially King Leopold was entitled to all the land in the Congo. Life continued to worsen as Leopold places new decrees that limited merchants in their commercial operations by making them use commodities for trade instead of currency. However the people of the CFS became more and more displeased with their imperialistic ruler. Establishment of Rebel forces and talk of revolution made King Leopold uncertain of his control in the CFS without any major militant groups from Belgian. The creation
Between the years of 1884 and up until 1959 the Congo Free State (CFS) was extensively impacted by imperialism form the European nation of Belgium. King Leopold II was the main influence and dictator of the CFS. Leopold’s intentions at the beginning of his enquiries to colonise the CFS seemed favourable of the Congolese however this did not play out as Leopold began break promises of decrees, exploit the Congolese and monopolize resources. (Schimmer, 2010)
During 1884 King Leopold attended the conference of berlin, here he was granted almost complete control of the entire CFS. Here Leopold established his goals and developed reasons for his involvement in the CFS. Leopold claimed that he would supress East African slave trade, promote humanitarian policies, guarantee free trade within the Congo Free State and encourage philanthropic and scientific enterprise. However none of King Leopold’s goals were achieved, they were completely disregarded and antagonistic views were established. Leopold firstly acquired all the vacant land in the CFS naming it as state owned, places such as farms, native villages and rubber fields were also state owned. Once again King Leopold began to take more rights away from the Congolese by reducing their rights of individually owned land by giving the right to native villages and farms. However the villages and farms were already owned by the state so essentially King Leopold was entitled to all the land in the Congo. Life continued to worsen as Leopold places new decrees that limited merchants in their commercial operations by making them use commodities for trade instead of currency. However the people of the CFS became more and more displeased with their imperialistic ruler. Establishment of Rebel forces and talk of revolution made King Leopold uncertain of his control in the CFS without any major militant groups from Belgian. The creation
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