1. How Does Leopold Justify Colonization Of The Congo?
Letter from Leopold to Prime Minister Beernaert
How does Leopold justify colonization of the Congo?
Leopold justifies the colonization of the Congo with the fact that countries have been colonizing in other territories throughout history. He goes back on major empires and names few along with what they did.
What economic arguments does he stress?
He stresses intellectual, capitalist, or manual opportunities for all workers.
How does he envision the future of Belgium and the Congo?
Leopold visions the future for the Congo as bright. With the river system providing them with easy access to the heart of Africa and the building of the railroad will also increase the ease of transportation. He concludes that by saying everyone will begin to see …show more content…
the value of the Congo.
How does this letter typify attitudes of European political elites towards colonies?
It shows that the European political elites to be on King Leopold’s side. He argues that many people in the government had to support his plan for all of the changes that have occurred to go into effect. In my opinion the letter shows that the elites will fortify colonies as long as it is in their best interest and since the Congo has many valuables, it is a great investment for them.
Letter from George Washington Williams to King Leopold II What are some of the tricks described that Henry Stanley used to get the African chiefs to sign contracts?
Some of the tricks that Henry Stanley used to get the African chiefs to sign contracts were deceiving the tribe leaders by telling them that there was rumor of war between one tribe leader and another. Another one was the lens act trick and there also was a gun trick.
What is the effect in the way that Williams uses punctuation in this sentence: “I was anxious to see to what extent the natives had ‘adopted the fostering care’ of your Majesty’s ‘benevolent enterprise’ (?) and I was doomed to bitter disappointment.”
The effect of the punctuation in the sentence helps show the sarcasm in the sentence and help convey the feeling of Williams during his visit in Africa and on the issue.
Describe at least three horrible abuses Williams describes to Leopold that he witnessed while visiting.
Leopold’s men were dying in their quarters due to illness since there were no hospitals within the region.
The government isolated their land, burnt their towns, stolen their property, and enslaved women and children.
Many die to the poor conditions given to them. They sleep in tight quarters without blankets on a bamboo bed. He describes it as a place not fit for a horse.–
In his conclusion, Williams makes appeals to four entities. Name those to whom he appeals.
Powers of king and State who gave it international being
Belgian people and their Constitutional Government
Anti-Slavery Societies in all parts of Christendom, Philanthropists, Christians, Statesmen, and everyone
Heavenly Father; God– Leopold II was a high-born Belgian king who never went to Africa.
Williams was an African American commoner who did go to Africa. Would people be more inclined to believe Leopold’s or Williams’ account of what was happening in the Congo? Explain your answer.
I would personally be more inclined to believe Williams’ account of what was happening just because he made it a point to go and see the problems first hand. Knowing that the king never went there would just show his demeanor all too well and the kind of person he really is. It would make Williams’ account much more creditable in my eyes. My only concern would be knowing that Leopold is a king, which means he has the power to convince people otherwise. Using money and power, he could be able to work his way around Williams’ words and cloud people’s thoughts on the truth.
Popular Literature
Popular writers of the day, such as Mark Twain, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Joseph Conrad, wrote either directly or indirectly about the atrocities being committed in the Congo. Do an Internet search, and find a quote from one of these three sources that makes the case against Leopold’s handling of his territory. Use something other than the excerpt that appears in the lesson. All three books are available …show more content…
online.
Mark Twain—King Leopold’s Soliloquy
“They have told how for twenty years I have ruled the Congo State not as a trustee of the Powers, an agent, a subordinate, a foreman, but as a sovereign -- sovereign over a fruitful domain four times as large as the German Empire -- sovereign absolute, irresponsible, above all law; trampling the Berlin-made Congo charter under foot; barring out all foreign traders but myself; restricting commerce to myself, through concessionaires who are my creatures and confederates; seizing and holding the State as my personal property, the whole of its vast revenues as my private "swag" -- mine, solely mine -- claiming and holding its millions of people as my private property, my serfs, my slaves; their labor mine, with or without wage; the food they raise not their property but mine; the rubber, the ivory and all the other riches of the land mine -- mine solely -- and gathered for me by the men, the women and the little children under compulsion of lash and bullet, fire, starvation, mutilation and the halter.” (Twain 8).
Photographs
Explain why photographs of mistreated Africans would be a particularly effective weapon in the propaganda war between Leopold and the reformers. What would be used in today’s media to have the same effect?
The reason why photographs of mistreated Africans would be an effective weapon against Leopold is because it would accurately depict what he is really doing to the people in Africa. They are cold hard facts that no one wants to see because no one would want to be treated that way. Today, this would have the same effect, but much quicker. With today’s social media and how quickly things can be shared, it would be much quicker to get the news around with how the people are really being treated. So, it would have the same effect or perhaps even a bigger effect mostly because of how fast people can become informed of such things. Also, today almost everyone has a cell phone to record, take photos, and once again take action faster against people like Leopold.
How does Leopold justify colonization of the Congo?
Leopold justifies the colonization of the Congo with the fact that countries have been colonizing in other territories throughout history. He goes back on major empires and names few along with what they did.
What economic arguments does he stress?
He stresses intellectual, capitalist, or manual opportunities for all workers.
How does he envision the future of Belgium and the Congo?
Leopold visions the future for the Congo as bright. With the river system providing them with easy access to the heart of Africa and the building of the railroad will also increase the ease of transportation. He concludes that by saying everyone will begin to see …show more content…
the value of the Congo.
How does this letter typify attitudes of European political elites towards colonies?
It shows that the European political elites to be on King Leopold’s side. He argues that many people in the government had to support his plan for all of the changes that have occurred to go into effect. In my opinion the letter shows that the elites will fortify colonies as long as it is in their best interest and since the Congo has many valuables, it is a great investment for them.
Letter from George Washington Williams to King Leopold II What are some of the tricks described that Henry Stanley used to get the African chiefs to sign contracts?
Some of the tricks that Henry Stanley used to get the African chiefs to sign contracts were deceiving the tribe leaders by telling them that there was rumor of war between one tribe leader and another. Another one was the lens act trick and there also was a gun trick.
What is the effect in the way that Williams uses punctuation in this sentence: “I was anxious to see to what extent the natives had ‘adopted the fostering care’ of your Majesty’s ‘benevolent enterprise’ (?) and I was doomed to bitter disappointment.”
The effect of the punctuation in the sentence helps show the sarcasm in the sentence and help convey the feeling of Williams during his visit in Africa and on the issue.
Describe at least three horrible abuses Williams describes to Leopold that he witnessed while visiting.
Leopold’s men were dying in their quarters due to illness since there were no hospitals within the region.
The government isolated their land, burnt their towns, stolen their property, and enslaved women and children.
Many die to the poor conditions given to them. They sleep in tight quarters without blankets on a bamboo bed. He describes it as a place not fit for a horse.–
In his conclusion, Williams makes appeals to four entities. Name those to whom he appeals.
Powers of king and State who gave it international being
Belgian people and their Constitutional Government
Anti-Slavery Societies in all parts of Christendom, Philanthropists, Christians, Statesmen, and everyone
Heavenly Father; God– Leopold II was a high-born Belgian king who never went to Africa.
Williams was an African American commoner who did go to Africa. Would people be more inclined to believe Leopold’s or Williams’ account of what was happening in the Congo? Explain your answer.
I would personally be more inclined to believe Williams’ account of what was happening just because he made it a point to go and see the problems first hand. Knowing that the king never went there would just show his demeanor all too well and the kind of person he really is. It would make Williams’ account much more creditable in my eyes. My only concern would be knowing that Leopold is a king, which means he has the power to convince people otherwise. Using money and power, he could be able to work his way around Williams’ words and cloud people’s thoughts on the truth.
Popular Literature
Popular writers of the day, such as Mark Twain, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Joseph Conrad, wrote either directly or indirectly about the atrocities being committed in the Congo. Do an Internet search, and find a quote from one of these three sources that makes the case against Leopold’s handling of his territory. Use something other than the excerpt that appears in the lesson. All three books are available …show more content…
online.
Mark Twain—King Leopold’s Soliloquy
“They have told how for twenty years I have ruled the Congo State not as a trustee of the Powers, an agent, a subordinate, a foreman, but as a sovereign -- sovereign over a fruitful domain four times as large as the German Empire -- sovereign absolute, irresponsible, above all law; trampling the Berlin-made Congo charter under foot; barring out all foreign traders but myself; restricting commerce to myself, through concessionaires who are my creatures and confederates; seizing and holding the State as my personal property, the whole of its vast revenues as my private "swag" -- mine, solely mine -- claiming and holding its millions of people as my private property, my serfs, my slaves; their labor mine, with or without wage; the food they raise not their property but mine; the rubber, the ivory and all the other riches of the land mine -- mine solely -- and gathered for me by the men, the women and the little children under compulsion of lash and bullet, fire, starvation, mutilation and the halter.” (Twain 8).
Photographs
Explain why photographs of mistreated Africans would be a particularly effective weapon in the propaganda war between Leopold and the reformers. What would be used in today’s media to have the same effect?
The reason why photographs of mistreated Africans would be an effective weapon against Leopold is because it would accurately depict what he is really doing to the people in Africa. They are cold hard facts that no one wants to see because no one would want to be treated that way. Today, this would have the same effect, but much quicker. With today’s social media and how quickly things can be shared, it would be much quicker to get the news around with how the people are really being treated. So, it would have the same effect or perhaps even a bigger effect mostly because of how fast people can become informed of such things. Also, today almost everyone has a cell phone to record, take photos, and once again take action faster against people like Leopold.