New Imperialism: Belgium Imperialized Congo In The 19th Century

New imperialism is a term used to describe the sudden mania for expansion and conquest that gripped Western powers in the late 19th century. It was a time period of colonial expansion of European powers, specifically Africa, known as the Scramble for Africa, it was the occupation, division, and colonization of African territory by European powers during the period of New Imperialism, between 1881 and 1914. One of the most brutal and famous colonization was when King Leopold from Belgium colonized Congo. King Leopold was the second King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909 and became known for the founding and brutal exploitation of the Congo Free State as a private venture, he was one of the most cruel and imperious 19th century European heads

of state, ruled the Congo as his personal fiefdom, though he never set foot there, he used many brutal tactics in order to achieve his goal in colonizing Congo. Many other European leaders used the same tactics to successfully colonize Africa. Historians may argue that Belgium imperialized Congo in the 19th century in order to get natural resources that were not available in Europe and to civilize the underdeveloped Africans which led to mass slaughter and limited social rights of the Africans.

Some historians may argue that Belgium imperialized Congo in the 19th century in order to get natural resources that were not available in Europe because they discovered that instead of trading, they could save resources by occupying the place. There was a great demand for natural resources and products not found in Western Countries, such as rubber, oil, and tin. Because of the massive industrialization increase, the demand for these resources increases as well. European investors advocated direct control of the areas where the raw materials were found. This was because

important discoveries made by the European explorers. European explorers had made two important discoveries about the area’s inhabitants. One was that they were no military threat: his nearly three dozen battles showed their spears and arrows and decrepit muskets to be no match for his new, breech-loading snider rifles.” (King Leopold’s Ghost, 62) This shows that one of the reason why Belgium colonized Congo was because they had discovered the underdeveloped military of the Africans, they decided to take over the resources in order to profit even more. When King Leopold II wrote a letter to his Minister Beernaert on the Congo, he states “ The immense river system of the Upper Congo opens the way for our efforts for rapid and economical ways of communication that will allow us to penetrate directly into the center of the African continent.” (Letter from King Leopold II of Belgium to Minister Beernaert on the Congo) This shows that the geography of Congo created a easy way for King Leopold II colonize Congo, created a temptation of colonizing Congo. The river combined with the weak military force, made the conquest effortless, the immense amount of resources in Congo benefited the Belgium economy, creating what we call the economic motive.
Some historians may also argue that Belgium imperialized Congo in the 19th century in order to civilize the underdeveloped Africans because they discovered how weak and impoverished their military and society was.

In the White Man’s burden, it states “ Take up the White Man’s burden- Send forth the best ye breed- Go send your sons to exile To serve your captives’ need” (Kipling, White Man’s burden) This shows that the Europeans really wanted the Africans to do everything for them while they do the commanding. The line “Send forth the best ye breed” shows that not only they wanted to take away all the freedom and opportunities they had, they wanted only the best men, in order to make the best economic profit. The Europeans also justified their colonial expansion by using Social Darwinism. “How many centuries, how many thousands of years, have the Kaffir or the negro held large districts in Africa undisturbed by the white man? Yet their intertribal struggles have not yet produced a civilization in the least comparable with the Aryan. Educate and nurture them as you will.” This shows that the Europeans believed that for centuries, the Africans had not been disturbed by other race, however, they still couldn't develop a civilization that is comparable to the Europeans, therefore, it is completely reasonable for the Europeans to try to civilize the underdeveloped Africans. Social Darwinism was one of a big reason why Belgium colonized

Congo.
The economic benefits of Belgium led to to mass slaughter and limited social rights of the Africans. The Europeans restricted the rights of the Africans because they wanted the Africans to do what they say in order to get the most profit. King Leopold’s brutal tactics to get people to follow his order was effective but heartless, “ A detachment of soldiers would march into an Africans village and seize the women as hostages. Dos secure their wives’ release, the men would have to disperse into the rain forest to collect the sap of wild rubber vines.” ( Spielvogel, 152) The men were forced to do what the Europeans want because they held their wife hostage. This shows that the Congo colonization were completely forced and did not have any contract that benefited the Africans, rendering them as slaves. This caused the Africans to revolt, unite in order to go against the Europeans. In the Black Man’s Burden, it states “ Hail ye your fearless armies, which menace feeble folks Who fight with clubs and arrows ad brook your rifle’s smoke.” (H.T. Johnson, The Black Man’s Burden) This describes how the Africans were not satisfied with their attempt of trying to civilize them. This shows that the Africans wants to fight back, unite together in order to beat the fearless armies with clubs and arrows. It also states “In vain ya see to end it, with bullets, blood or death better by far defend it with honor’s holy breath.” (H.T. Johnson, The Black Man’s Burden)This shows how the Africans are willing to defend their territory with their body even though they will die, they think it is a honor to be able to defend their own land, conveys the result of Imperialism were just blood and death, people fighting for Independence.
Historians may argue that Belgium imperialized Congo in the 19th century in order to get natural resources that were not available in Europe and to civilize the underdeveloped Africans which led to mass slaughter and limited social rights of the Africans. This shows that whatever that caused the Imperialism, had bad results and it did not work because invading someone’s homeland trying to say that they are better at civilizing is not true.