New imperialism and colonialism: A case study of congo

Question 1

what is coloniasim?

Answer 1

• Western colonialism: several other periods of colonialism → greek colonialism (8-6th BC)

*the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Question 2

Difference bet Imperisalism and colonialism

Answer 2

• confused with each other, there is a difference
  
  • imperialism still practised today, one country exercises power over another, political and economic control over a dependent territory
  • how it is exercised is different than colonisation
  • can be attained thro: colonazitation, use of military force, trade or economic invetsments, indirect mechanisms
  • colonization is part of imperialism
  • colonialism does not neccesaary involve settlement(?)

Question 3

Logic behind earth hunger

Answer 3

• ‘’that’s what humans do’’ → innate nature for war
  
  • wish to subjugate others
  • Imperialism is the object-less disposition of a state to expansion by force without assigned limits
  • possible explanation for imperialism, not new imperialism
  • economic motives: industrial revolution, raw materials and
  • → economic and liberal thinker: colonies cost more than they are worth (year of american independence)
  • political leaders described colonies as ‘’millstone round our neck’’
  • Congo colonies nearly brought settlers to bankruptcy
  • political motives: international competition → after germanys unification
  • nationalism and prestige: imp role of nationalism → enhancement from colonialism
  • ideological dimension: civilizing mission, social Darwinism: some races superior to others
  • → justification of what they were doing

Question 4

Congo: a chronological overview

Answer 4

• before 1885: rich and precolonial history
  
  • 1885-1908: congo free state
  • 1908-1960: Belgian congo
  • 30 June 1960: Independence
  • between unstable democracy and dictatorships and without expertise

Question 5

Congo before 1885

Answer 5

• central Africa under control of afro-arab traders
  
  • King Leopold of Belgium, new king of new country → wanted to have colonies to compete with others, nationalism, financial considerations, ideological considerations etc.
  • explorer told him of rich traders and river in central Africa
  • conference with explorers, geologists etc. → decided together to bound an international african associations → map region, animals → scientific exploration and free region of slave trade
  • Henry Stanley: get land from inland ppl by giving them luxuries→ treaties: chiefs could not understand treaties and language

Question 6

International recognition at conference of Berlin

Answer 6

• european nations made act where free trade is possible
  
  • no income bc no tax raises etc.
  • preserve tribes and no slavery

Question 7

Congo free state

Answer 7

• no checking over power of Leopold in Congo → he has full power as there is no institution hinder him
  
  • all from his own money, develop region, start army, stop trade → nearly went bankrupt, got loans from gov
  • new policy: all land not cultivated was his → cost him everything in the end
  • pay taxes from citizen
  • rubber was common → high demand of rubber bc of invention of rubber tires

Question 8

rubber collection

Answer 8

• efficient and effective collection of the rubber
  
  • gave belgian companies land to get rubber → was shareholder so he got money
  • army and administration made sure so the inhabitants collected rubber
  • soldiers would get violent if not enough rubber was collected → army only got paid when enough was collected → whipping and killing of citizen
  • consequence Leopolds systems
  • red rubber: hands cut of of alive ppl bc every time a bullet was used they had to reason it and as a proof show a hand of the person they killed → if they used bullets for other than killing slaves they would get in trouble
  • famine and hunger erupted as people had to got deeper into forests to collect rubber → ca 20 Mil people died bc of this
  • taxes made were used in beligum → for him personally

Question 9

critisism to King Leopold

Answer 9

• casement report → no pay of worker and abuse of them by soldiers
  
  • → international pressure
  • Leopold formally turned congo free state over to Belgium