King Leopold's Ghost
Wesley Don
Professor Frickert
History 4
10 February 2011
King Leopold's Ghost Essay
Primary Questions
1. The era known as the Industrial Revolution was a period of unprecedented growth, not only limited to technology, but to economic systems, policies, and ideologies. Industrialization ignited great nationalism in industrialized countries, hence leading to the rise of the empire builders of Imperialism. King Leopold II was an empire builder of this age who "found a number of tools at his disposal that had not been available to empire builders of earlier times" (Hochschild 89). He cunningly employed these technologies to build an ethereal reputation amongst the Congolese; they were white men who rode on long steel snakes, possessed weapons that vomited fire, and had medications of a divine nature. Although these tools were a crucial part of Belgian's Imperialist endeavors, it was not solely based upon these physical and economic tools that allowed King Leopold's efficient colonization of Africa, but rather the clever and brutal exploiting of these factors of the Industrial Revolution itself to spark power over and terror amongst the Congolese, not dissimilar to the late Aztec Empire of Mexico. It was a "revolution" pertinently named, as it thoroughly and abruptly eradicated the old fashioned way of doing things, and altered the lives of the Congo and its natives for generations to come. "To begin with, there was weaponry" (Hochschild 89). 19th century advancements in engineering and machining with regards to warfare technology brought upon the breech-loading rifle, as opposed to the "primitive muzzle loaders which were the best arms that most Congolese could obtain" (Hochschild 89). The breech-loaded rifle was the forefront of Belgian diplomacy in the Congo, and these new rifles proved to be far superior to the archaic weapons of the Africans. The repeating rifle, also known as the Maxim Gun, further enhanced the terror of all Congolese, especially those who were
Professor Frickert
History 4
10 February 2011
King Leopold's Ghost Essay
Primary Questions
1. The era known as the Industrial Revolution was a period of unprecedented growth, not only limited to technology, but to economic systems, policies, and ideologies. Industrialization ignited great nationalism in industrialized countries, hence leading to the rise of the empire builders of Imperialism. King Leopold II was an empire builder of this age who "found a number of tools at his disposal that had not been available to empire builders of earlier times" (Hochschild 89). He cunningly employed these technologies to build an ethereal reputation amongst the Congolese; they were white men who rode on long steel snakes, possessed weapons that vomited fire, and had medications of a divine nature. Although these tools were a crucial part of Belgian's Imperialist endeavors, it was not solely based upon these physical and economic tools that allowed King Leopold's efficient colonization of Africa, but rather the clever and brutal exploiting of these factors of the Industrial Revolution itself to spark power over and terror amongst the Congolese, not dissimilar to the late Aztec Empire of Mexico. It was a "revolution" pertinently named, as it thoroughly and abruptly eradicated the old fashioned way of doing things, and altered the lives of the Congo and its natives for generations to come. "To begin with, there was weaponry" (Hochschild 89). 19th century advancements in engineering and machining with regards to warfare technology brought upon the breech-loading rifle, as opposed to the "primitive muzzle loaders which were the best arms that most Congolese could obtain" (Hochschild 89). The breech-loaded rifle was the forefront of Belgian diplomacy in the Congo, and these new rifles proved to be far superior to the archaic weapons of the Africans. The repeating rifle, also known as the Maxim Gun, further enhanced the terror of all Congolese, especially those who were