Colonialism in the Congo: Conquest, Conflict, and Commerce

1. Colonialism in the Congo: Conquest, Conflict, and Commerce Henry, Thomas, Tim, Archu

2. King Leopold (1835-1909) and the Congo • 2nd King of Belgium • Took on the title of “King Sovereign of the Congo Free State” in addition • Embezzled money from the Belgium to establish his own colony in the Congo • Used the Congo to make money off taxes on ivory and rubber

3. Colonial authority in the congo • Leopold decreed in 1885 that all “unoccupied” land is considered property of the state • Taxes were imposed on the resources taken from the surrounding lands by the Congolese. They were taken in goods, as the people had no money • Enforced by the Force Publique, an army of enslaved native people who Leopold pressed into service • Leopold gained European support for his exploitation of the Congo by describing it in European assemblies as a massive humanitarian effort

4. Oppression • Brutal punishments when the Congolese were unable to collect enough rubber and ivory • Population fell by almost 50% in the 20 years after Leopold began the rubber trade in earnest • The Force Publique cracked down on rebellions and cut off limbs • Villages were depopulated completely as people fled deeper into the Congo

5. E.D. Morel • Shipping clerk working in Liverpool in the 1890s • Realized based on the imports and exports from the Congo that there was no free trade; most imports were guns • He brought the problem to the attention of European powers, he became a national spokesperson; increased awareness

6. Legacy • Diminished population • Diminished economic strength and political cohesiveness • Left without resources, elephants and rubber trees could not really recover