Leopold.27s acquisition Congo Free State propaganda war

king leopold ii in late 1800s

leopold thought overseas colonies critically important becoming great power, , worked establish colonial possessions belgium. national legislature did not authorize colonial enterprise, , leopold acquired colony in congo himself money loaned belgian government purpose.

after number of unsuccessful schemes colonies in africa , asia, organized private holding company in 1876, disguised international scientific , philanthropic association, called international african society (iaa). had flag , executive council chaired. leopold formulated , used following explicit goals of iaa justify ambitions in congo:

to suppress slave trade in equatorial africa,
to unite native tribes,
to modernize peoples of congo river,
to bring morality , understanding of sin natives,
and advance economy of region.

in 1878 leopold s holding company hired british explorer henry morton stanley establish colony in region of congo. before stanley left africa, leopold created exploratory committee funds of million francs in gold. chaired stanley, promised abide iaa s goals set forth leopold.

location of congo free state



the area of congo free state

during spring of 1884, leopold started campaign convince great powers congo free state should sovereign nation , head of state. diplomatic maneuvering resulted in berlin conference of 1884–85, @ representatives of fourteen european countries , united states recognized leopold sovereign of of area , stanley had laid claim to.

after conference leopold told members , reporters:

to open civilization part of our globe has not yet penetrated, pierce darkness in entire populations enveloped, is, venture say, crusade worthy of age of progress … need that, in bringing brussels, have not been influenced selfish views.

using public diplomacy

leopold conceived idea of congo free state, himself sovereign ruler. name suggested individual, economic, , religious freedoms. leopold began publicity campaign in britain, drawing attention portugal s slavery record distract critics. offered drive slave traders congo basin. secretly told british merchant houses if had formal control of congo, give britain same most-favored-nation status portugal offered. @ same time, leopold promised otto von bismarck not give 1 nation special status, , german traders welcome other.

leopold offered france association s support french ownership of entire northern bank of congo river, , sweetened deal proposing if personal wealth proved insufficient hold entire congo, seemed inevitable, congo revert france.

leopold sent united states president chester a. arthur edited copies of cloth-and-trinket treaties obtained stanley. proposed that, entirely disinterested humanitarian body, association administer congo of all, handing power local inhabitants ready grave responsibility. worked convince united states, growing economic , military power, recognize treaties , congo free state. leopold s men told southern congressmen congo free state new home freedmen deep south. politicians loved idea. promised president open , free trade.

in april, u.s. congress decided treaties had legal standing , congo sovereign state under belgian king. france s recognition followed, , germany, , other european nations. since iaa seen legitimate government of recognized sovereign state, bismarck invited king leopold discuss african affairs great powers of europe.

on november 15, 1884, international conference met resolve african question concerning disposition of african territories among european powers. after long debate , ten sittings, great powers agreed on borders colonies, without input african leader or thought rooted ethnic , tribal politics. congo free state encompassed 2,600,000 square kilometres (1,000,000 sq mi), largest claim in central africa.