Belgian Colonializm in the Congo Free State

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The violent and forced rule of the Congo is a horrific time in African history. The time period beginning with Henry Morton Stanley's first exploration to the Congo, and King Leopold's desire of this area, had been a nightmare for the people of the Congo. The civilizing mission to the Congo not only resulted in the killing of thousands of people but also the destruction of a culture. The two articles, 'Belgian Colonialism in the Congo', and the letter by George Washington Williams, are just two views from this time. Both articles depict very different opinions of what is going on in the Congo and also what should be allowed to go on there. These articles show the very different opinions of someone who has never gone and someone who has witnessed the things that happen. The importance of the King Leopold article is that it gives a clear understanding of his mindset at the time. He wanted this land and its people, in the article he rationalizes the way it is being taken and what is happening there. In Williams? article he reflects on his disappointment of Africa and the horrific things that he witnessed in the Congo. This essay will discuss the reliability of these two sources and whether or not they give an accurate depiction of the Congo and its colonization. It will also compare and contrast the articles, their authors, and will come to a conclusion of which article is more accurate.

King Leopold was the king of Belgium. It is legendary that he had no joy in his life and that he realized that the only thing that would make him happy was to gain more power. (Class notes) In his quest for power and more land he decided that he wanted the heart of Africa. Of course he did not intend to go there himself so he enlisted Henry Morton...

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... is positive about the efforts in the Congo and is confident that their presence there will civilize the people. Williams? letter is appalled by the things going on in the Congo and wants a direct action taken to stop these atrocities. Although King Leopold?s article is from the ?king? that does not mean it is the most accurate or reliable source. Williams? article is a better depiction of the truth because he was actually there. Leopold never traveled to the Congo or anywhere near it in Africa. He simply enlisted other men to do his dirty work.

Each article describes the Congo Free State differently as well. Leopold?s article describes a place that needs to be civilized, a ?barbarous community?. It talks about how the people there are violent and that sometimes force is needed. Williams? article is a direct contradiction. He describes a place of fear and turmoil.

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