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King Leopold Ii‟S Exploitation of the Congo from 1885 to 1908 and Its Consequences

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King Leopold Ii‟S Exploitation of the Congo from 1885 to 1908 and Its Consequences KING LEOPOLD II‟S EXPLOITATION OF THE CONGO FROM 1885 TO 1908 AND ITS CONSEQUENCES by STEVEN P. JOHNSON A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Honors in the Major Program in History in the College of Arts and Humanities and in The Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Summer Term 2014 Thesis Chair: Dr. Ezekiel Walker ABSTRACT This thesis argues that King Leopold II, in his exploitation of the Congo, dealt the Congo a future of political, ethnic, and economic destabilization. At one time consisting of unified and advanced kingdoms, the Congo turned to one completely beleaguered by poverty and political oppression. Leopold acquired the Congo through unethical means and thus took the people‟s chances away at self-rule. He provided for no education or vocational training, which would stunt future Congolese leaders from making sound economic and political policies. Leopold also exploited the Congo with the help of concession companies, both of which used forced labor to extract valuable resources. Millions of Congolese died and the Congo itself became indebted through Belgian loans that were given with no assurance they could ever truly be paid back due to the crippled economy of the Congo. With the Congo now in crippling debt, the current president, Joseph Kabila, has little incentive to invest in reforms or public infrastructure, which stunts economic growth.1 For over a century the Congo has been ruled by exploitative and authoritarian regimes due to Leopold‟s initial acquisition. The colonization from Leopold lasted from 1885-1908, and then he sold it to his home country of Belgium who ruled the Congo from 1908 to 1960. Belgium helped prop up a dictator named Joseph Mobutu or Mobutu Sese Seko who ruled from 1965 to 1997. Afterwards he was overthrown by the Kabila family who has continued the exploitative rule and has made no significant efforts at democratization or reforms. Thus the ethnic conflicts, 1 David K. Leonard and Scott Straus, Africa’s Stalled Development: International Causes & Cures (Boulder: Lynne Rienner, 2003), 28. ii political oppression and economic woes that the Congo is facing today are inevitably linked to its Leopoldian past. iii DEDICATION To my parents, Patty and Steve Johnson, for making me the person I am today. I will always try to emulate your kindness, generosity, diligence, optimism, and loving nature. To my sister, Stephanie Johnson, for always being there for me. To my cousin, Chad Johnson, for being my best friend. To my extended family and friends, for their unwavering love and support. To my high school English teacher, Mark Huaman, for sparking my interest in learning. To the authors, Barbara Kingsolver and Joseph Conrad, who wrote The Poisonwood Bible and Heart of Darkness, respectively. Both works have influenced me to write this thesis. To those in the Congo who continue to strive for a better future in the wake of a colonial past. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Dr. Ezekiel Walker, Dr. Peter Larson, and Dr. Richard Ajayi for serving on my committee and providing exceptional feedback throughout the research and writing process. A special thanks to Dr. Walker, for being my thesis chair, and for having the patience and availability to discuss my thesis at any given time. The masterful insight and ideas you have shared fostered the growth and the direction of this thesis. Thank you Dr. Larson and Dr. Ajayi for your reputable guidance and for making sure my paragraphs and chapters flowed smoothly. I would also like to thank Denise Crisafi and Kelly Astro for always answering any questions I might have had throughout the program and for their ability to keep me on track. v TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 Background ................................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter Layout............................................................................................................................ 5 Literature Review........................................................................................................................ 6 PRE-COLONIAL AFRICAN HISTORY ...................................................................................... 8 Luba Kingdom ............................................................................................................................ 9 Lunda Kingdom ........................................................................................................................ 15 Kingdom of Kongo ................................................................................................................... 18 King Affonso ........................................................................................................................ 20 Slave Trade ........................................................................................................................... 22 Decline of Portuguese Influence ............................................................................................... 24 Consequences: Destruction of Kingdoms and Ethnic Nationalism .......................................... 26 KING LEOPOLD‟S ACQUISITION OF THE CONGO ............................................................. 30 Henry Morton Stanley............................................................................................................... 30 Treaties .................................................................................................................................. 32 Geographical Conference .......................................................................................................... 33 Guests .................................................................................................................................... 35 vi Stations .................................................................................................................................. 36 International African Association ......................................................................................... 38 Henry Shelton Sanford .............................................................................................................. 41 Berlin Conference ..................................................................................................................... 44 Colonial Chess Game ............................................................................................................ 46 General Act ........................................................................................................................... 47 Congo Free State ................................................................................................................... 49 Consequences: Belgian Annexation ......................................................................................... 50 World War I .......................................................................................................................... 52 KING LEOPOLD‟S EXPLOITATION OF THE CONGO ......................................................... 54 Ivory .......................................................................................................................................... 54 Catholic Schools ....................................................................................................................... 55 Red Rubber ............................................................................................................................... 58 Concession Companies ............................................................................................................. 61 Force Publique .......................................................................................................................... 64 Rubber Quotas ...................................................................................................................... 64 Death, Starvation, and Disease ................................................................................................. 66 Consequences: Debt and Enclave Economy ............................................................................. 68 Debt ....................................................................................................................................... 68 vii Enlave Economy ................................................................................................................... 70 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................. 73 Inability of Self-Rule ................................................................................................................ 73 Mobutu and the Kabila‟s ....................................................................................................... 73 Education .............................................................................................................................. 75 Health Care ........................................................................................................................... 77 Foreign Aid and Debt............................................................................................................ 77 Final Thoughts .........................................................................................................................
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