Essays on Casement

Essay for Exam Chapter 20

Imperialism of free trade in the 19th century was spearheaded by the European powers as a three layered process that involved refinement and careful consideration of local reactions. The ultimate aim for the European powers was to gain holdings of raw materials that were otherwise expensively traded. Although the Europeans met with losses in the previous century in losing control of North America with the success of the American War for Independence and by the inability to expand in the Americas due to the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, there were newer frontiers in East that could still be exploited. The ...

Introduction

In the history of Belgium, Leopold was the second king who is best remembered for his role in exploiting the Free State of Congo. He was born in Brussels and in 1865, he rose to the throne after succeeding his father. He went on to rule for 44 years, longer than any other Belgian monarch. During his time, Leopold was the sole owner and the founder of the Congo Free State. He privately undertook this project. Helped by Henry Morton Stanley (explorer), he successfully laid a claim to Congo. In a Berlin Conference held in 1884, European colonial nations recognized his ...

Q1. - The book, King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild is indeed a great expose of the atrocities committed on the people of Africa's Congo under the greedy rule of King Leopold II of Belgium. Notably, there are quite a number of personalities who played a critical role in exposing Leopold’s Congo activities through various methods that in turn worked out well. The personalities included, among others: First and foremost, George Washington Williams way back in 1890. Being a black American missionary from the United States, he was astounded by the revelations he found out in the process. Noteworthy, the book ...