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European Imperialism: Negative Effects Of European Colonization Of The Congo

412 Words2 Pages

Safia Geurin
Mr. Robinson
I&S
January 6, 2023
Exploitation of the Congo
The Congo Free State was exploited through European Imperialism. European Imperialism was conquering foreign lands for natural resources and a new market. This is what created a European empire. Belgium colonized the Congo, a region in central Africa. Congo was home to many natural resources, such as rubber and ivory. Congo wasn’t benefiting from trade with Belgium; Congo would export rubber and ivory while Belgium would export articles. Congolese people were forced to collect rubber; if not, they would suffer consequences. European Imperialism negatively affected the Congo free state because the Congolese people were forced to gather rubber, and Belgium profited from Congo’s natural resources.

European Imperialism negatively affected Congolese lives. The Congolese were forced to work all day and were very overworked. The photograph from document 5 shows that the Congolese suffer consequences for not collecting enough rubber. This also indicates that King Leopold II didn’t come to Congo for the well-being of the Congolese but for the well-being of himself. This demonstrates that the Belgians caused the deaths of many people and the loss of natural resources. But it …show more content…

Document 7 says, “the Congo was exporting increasing quantities of rubber and ivory for which, on the face of the import statistics, the natives were getting nothing or next to nothing.” This document shows that Belgium was making an unfair trade with Congo. Also, document 7 says, “nothing was going in to pay for what was coming out” This shows that Congo was giving more than what Belgium was giving them. This document indicates that Belgium was making an unfair and one-sided trade with Congo. Belgium was trading things that were worth less than what Congo was giving. Congo was giving out expensive items while receiving next to

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It has nothing to hind and no secrets and is not beholden to anyone except its founder.” What he says is untrue because he made secrets in the Congo, he forced indigenous people to make rubber, while he sold them to become wealthier. As time went on a man named Edmund Morale looked into the shipping manifest, and discovered that while a great deal of rubber and ivory was coming from the Congo practically nothing was going back. This came to Morale investigating King Leopold’s corrupt regime, from the Congo he would get documents leaked to him by people. Because of this Leopold took drastic measures, he would bribe journalists, to drive US Senators.

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