Roger Casement: Hero Or Hero?
The life of Roger Casement was an interesting one to say the least. Some remember Casement as a hero while others think of him as a traitor. Casement was a man that devoted his life to investigating human’s rights in various areas of the world. When he was in his 20s, Casement was working for Henry Morton Stanley, a Welsh explorer, when he came across many issues in the Congolese State. It was the “Casement Report” that would lead to reform movements in the Congo. Later, Casement would report on the atrocities that plagued the native Indians of Peru during the Amazon rubber boom. Casement would ultimately fight for Irish independence, and he would even go to Germany to attempt to enlist Irish prisoners of war to help fight against the British.
…show more content…
The African International Association employed explorers, geographers, and philanthropists, and it was formed in 1876 by King Leopold II of Belgium as a means of “civilizing” Central Africa. It would later become evident that the AIA was a front for Leopold II to take over the Congo as his own territory, and Leopold’s later mistreatment of the natives living there is where Casement comes into play. Casement, while working for Henry Morton Stanley, a Welsh explorer, became close with the natives and learned more than one African language. The natives would fall in love with Roger Casement, and he was given two native names: Swami Casement and Monafuma Casement meaning ‘Woman’s God’ and ‘Son of a King,’ respectively. There are many testaments to the man that Roger Casement was from people he had met in the Congo, and most, if not all, reflect upon Roger Casement as the gentlest, most caring, and kindest of men. After his time working for Stanley, Roger Casement would work for the Sanford Exploring Expedition, which was created by Henry Shelton Sanford in December 1886 to build trade and industry in the Upper Congo. Casement worked for the SEE from 1886 to 1888, and later in 1888 he would work for the Congo Railway Company. Also in 1888 and 1889, Casement worked for the English Baptists, a missionary organization that was one of many attempting to create a foundation in the Congo. After working with the English Baptists, Casement would return
The African International Association employed explorers, geographers, and philanthropists, and it was formed in 1876 by King Leopold II of Belgium as a means of “civilizing” Central Africa. It would later become evident that the AIA was a front for Leopold II to take over the Congo as his own territory, and Leopold’s later mistreatment of the natives living there is where Casement comes into play. Casement, while working for Henry Morton Stanley, a Welsh explorer, became close with the natives and learned more than one African language. The natives would fall in love with Roger Casement, and he was given two native names: Swami Casement and Monafuma Casement meaning ‘Woman’s God’ and ‘Son of a King,’ respectively. There are many testaments to the man that Roger Casement was from people he had met in the Congo, and most, if not all, reflect upon Roger Casement as the gentlest, most caring, and kindest of men. After his time working for Stanley, Roger Casement would work for the Sanford Exploring Expedition, which was created by Henry Shelton Sanford in December 1886 to build trade and industry in the Upper Congo. Casement worked for the SEE from 1886 to 1888, and later in 1888 he would work for the Congo Railway Company. Also in 1888 and 1889, Casement worked for the English Baptists, a missionary organization that was one of many attempting to create a foundation in the Congo. After working with the English Baptists, Casement would return