The Missionaries and the Congo Congo Free State propaganda war

1 missionaries , congo

1.1 william sheppard
1.2 e.v. sjöblom
1.3 george washington williams
1.4 leopold vs. williams

the missionaries , congo

king leopold allowed several hundred foreign protestant missionaries england, united states, , sweden go congo. given goals of iaa hardly refuse offers civilize africans. missionaries went congo evangelize, fight polygamy, , create fear of sin in africans. congolese run , hide @ mere sight of european.

one british missionary wrote african congregation asked, has savior tell of power save rubber trouble? other missionaries became aware of bloody events around posts. 1 swedish missionary noted sorrowful song death , tyranny many sang @ post. missionaries began protest violence through personal letters leopold, through letters newspapers , magazines. efforts had little effect in drawing public attention situation.

william sheppard

william sheppard

in late 1880s william sheppard, african-american protestant missionary, started write american newspapers , magazines mutilations , murder witnessed. threats of taxation , deportation, leopold put stop sheppard s writing. leopold subsequently demanded missionaries direct concerns him , not press.

e.v. sjöblom

swedish baptist missionary e.v. sjöblom spoke of atrocities listen. in 1896 published in swedish press detailed article on congo s rubber industry, , reprinted elsewhere. spoke brutality of force publique @ public meeting attended press. congo state officials counterattacked newspaper articles, letters, , comments leopold in belgian , british press, , silenced sjöblom. missionary never spoke again.

george washington williams

george washington williams

(october 16, 1849 – august 2, 1891)

colonel george washington williams served in union army during civil war. williams entered seminary , became pastor. after moving washington d.c., started national black newspaper, commoner. newspaper folded , did 1 in cincinnati. became well-respected historian through writings , lectures.

in 1889, williams began writing european press syndicate. after interview leopold, williams went congo see christian civilization in action. in april 1891 williams wrote letter leopold entitled open letter serene majesty leopold ii, king of belgians , sovereign of independent state of congo suffering of region @ hands of leopold s agents. letter helped sway european , american public opinion against congo regime. williams last pages accuse leopold of list of crimes, including manipulation of general public. voiced disbelief: how thoroughly have been disenchanted, disappointed, , disheartened.

he wrote report upon congo-state , country president of republic of united states of america describing how leopold had manipulated united states. time president benjamin harrison received copy, open letter had appeared in european , american newspapers. on 14 april 1891, new york times ran front-page article on full list of allegations.

leopold vs. williams

leopold s public relations minister employed newspaper editors run articles deeds of leopold. leopold himself gave interviews dreams , aspirations congo , future.

one day after new york times article, leopold s supporters in america submitted article accused williams of living lie , committing adultery. headline read prospered time, true character learned. during late summer of 1891 belgian parliament defended leopold , gave 45-page report press circuit, refuting williams s accusations. williams died on august 2 reputation tarnished.

the missionaries witnessed atrocities had little media savvy or political clout. public readily dismissed leopold s critics british humanitarian societies relics of past battles abolitionism. , critics, missionaries, became dismissed people upset in obscure corner of world.