King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschilds - Book Report/Review Example

and Book review of King Leopolds Ghost by Adam Hochschild’s Introduction Adam Hochschild’s book, ‘King Leopolds Ghost’ features exploration and exploitation of the free state of Congo from the period of 1885 to 1908. One thing about the book by Hochschild is that it aims at increasing public awareness and knowledge about the crimes committed by the colonial rulers, particularly in Africa. This paper revolves around the Europeans colonialists and their behaviors during the colonial era. One prominent thing about this book was refusal by nine publishing houses in United States to publish this book. Most of the colonialists invaded Africa with the motive of getting industrial resources and enriching themselves. However, they gave false pretexts for the scramble saying they were after benefiting their colonial subjects. Some of these pretexts included spreading the gospel, educating their subjects and delivering benefactions to their colonial subject. Different colonial powers worsened the living conditions and lives of their subjects. Most of the atrocities and crimes done by King Leopold’s and his army as the author describes. While most of these colonialists exploited their subjects, King Leopold representing the Belgian imperialism over-exploited the people of Congo, made them slaves and even tortured them. This is something truly different as compared to the French imperialism in Senegal. Useful Discussions from King Leopold’s Ghost  During the time of European imperialism, there are so many things that took place, with many nations trying to build empires in different parts of the world, including Africa and Asia (Hochschild 21). The term ‘civilized people’ was used by a Swedish missionary, C.N. Borrisson, who described their different intentions for the scrambling for African resources. According to the known facts, the colonialists lied about their reasons for invading some of these nations. The facts are that the colonialists wanted raw materials for their industries. There was also need to get cheap labor for their industries. These colonialists took this opportunity to develop their economy so as to increase their kingdoms. One thing about this book is that it offers a lot of information about these developments in Congo by the Belgians. There were many things that transpired in the name of colonialism. There was an increase in support for the colonialists by other nations such as the United States and Canada. The main explanations given by the colonialists or the ‘civilized people’ for the exploitation and colonial imperialism included the need to spread Christianity also extend their benefactions abroad (Hochschild 26). Many humanitarians view this as a stratagem that does not make any sense at all. The increased settlement by the colonialists in these countries justifies the materialism and desire for wealth. King Leopold’s Ghost is a story providing a focuses on the vivid accounts of what took place in Africa. Adam Hochschild’s book therefore, deals with the continued looting which took place in Congo. It is worth noting that people went through traumatizing events apart from been tortured by the colonialists. This helps us understand the main reasons why the ‘civilized people’ invaded these nations. This neglect by the colonialists to care about the colonists was a crucial issue for consideration when examining the roles played by these ‘civilized people’ in Africa. The other noteworthy thing to consider is the colonialists’ callous disregard for the lives and the dignity of others based on the color of their skin, nationality, religion, or ethnic backgrounds. During these days, the colonialists prejudiced the Africans without giving them any opportunity to express themselves (Hochschild 62). The ‘civilized people’ continued disregarding the dignity and lives of others based on their skin color, religion, nationality and ethnic background. The whites treated Africans indifferently on their own land. This was through enslaving them and making them laborers without pay, or paying them poorly. By ignoring most of their human rights they had no chance or opportunity to develop economically. The whites continued to steal the wealth of the countries and took them into their country for economic development. Apart from torturing Africans, the author writes about denial of most their rights. It is because of these developments and actions which prove that the colonialists tortured the Africans on their own land. Some of these events explain why the colonists decided to gang up and oppose the rule of the colonialists. Eventually, most of African nations had to gang up in order to gain their independence from the colonialists. The author analyzes some of the events which took place in Congo and how the people suffered in the hands of the colonialists. The deterioration of security and freedom in the country was also a common thing because of the colonialists. They also continued to steal resources while at the same time pioneering warfare’s. Slavery was also common during the time of colonialism (Hochschild 71). The people continued to suffer in the hands of the colonialists. From the novel by Adam, the story chronicles around the major efforts of the famous King Leopold II of Belgium to make Congo a national empire. This novel presents a complex scheme showing a political intrigue, propaganda and corruption. The king wins the country with the assistance offered to him by Morton Stanley. He was able to gather information on how to gain control of a colony and benefit the most from it. From the Berlin Conference plus diplomatic efforts, the King eventually obtained international respect and recognition for the colony. He ends up establishing a system notable for forced labor (Hochschild 77). This is something that kept or made the people of Congo live a life of slavery. This is a benchmark showing the key developments which shows the nature of colonization in the African countries. The other notable thing is that: the ideas proposed and used by the colonialists against the colonists were degrading. Ignorance and mistreatment of people’s rights lead in the atrocities committed against the people of Congo by King Leopold. Different societal and ethical issues in their nations were also ignored hence making life for such groups hard to bear. By using the example of King Leopold in Congo, the author show how these issues were handled. This was the same scenario that took place in all colonized nations in Africa (Hochschild 83). The years of the 19th century saw the majority of the European nations engaged in which is known as the European Expansively and Imperialism. During the same time, these nations were eager to develop their economies and become super powers. The only way towards achieve this was to colonize more nations and by so doing be able to acquire raw materials for their industries plus cheap labor. This would be necessary in making sure the best of goals have been achieved for the benefit of their nations. In order to achieve this, it was necessary to come up with policies defining the colonial procedures to be followed. Eventually this resulted in failed African states. The ideas formed by the colonialists or the ‘civilized people’ had greater impacts on the degradation of colonial and subject people during the nineteenth century. Life was dependent on the thoughts and engagements practiced by the whites against the Africans. These decisions made determined all the operations and practices given priority by the colonialists. This is to say, the lives of the blacks depended entirely on the roles and the decisions played by these colonial powers. The same powers were the reason for the downfall. Eventually a revolution would arise as the Africans ganged up to gain independence. We agree that, it leaves a lot for one to desire from the developments of colonies in Africa between the 19th and the early 20th century (Hochschild 102). Motives and Justifications for the Empire Most of the explanations given by the colonialists for invading and exploiting Africa and having empires was the need to spread Christianity, educate the people and make them civilized. They also argued that they were extending their resources and benefactions to the people. These reasons were mere ideals since most of them were never achieved. On the contrary, colonial reality was witnessed as more people continued to become slaves on their soil, while the colonialist were busy stealing their natural resources. This was the exact thing that happened in Congo during the reign of Belgian King Leopold ((Hochschild 123). The ideal that the invasion was aimed at promoting African civilization was a strategy the colonialists used to secure more colonies and get cheap labor. Increased settlements in the colonies made it to be possible for the white settlers to steal from Africa and by so doing benefiting them. For instance, King Leopold’s Ghost is a satisfactory book providing the reader with vivid and sequential account of all atrocities and evils done to the Congolese. All the colonized nations suffered in the hands of their masters, and life was miserable for them. It should be agreed that the colonial powers suggested they would benefit their subjects, but instead they benefitted themselves and tortured them. It should also be noted that similar justifications and motives were given by the French colonizers for the Senegalese empire and elsewhere. Contributing Factors towards Exploitation In King Leopold’s case, there are several factors that allowed the king to exploit the Congolese during the colonial period. Him been a greedy and petulant individual, king Leopold enriched himself by owning the colony and its people. The political support of his mother country and other empires made it to be possible for the king to exploit the people. At the same, improved western technology and civilization made it to be possible for the King to conduct the mission. It was possible to practice mechanized agriculture and mining operations. Improved transportation methods also improved the speed at which the colony was successfully established. Missionaries were also employed to explore new but resourceful lands and make them easy to colonize (Hochschild 82). There are several factors such as the world trade, ongoing imperialism and political foundations that made it possible to exploit the Congolese as described by Hochschild in the book. Some of the factors that contributed or promoted the French invasion and scramble included political support from their government and increasing trade activities. The willingness of the missionaries and other religious groups made it possible for the French to get more colonies and by so doing enrich themselves. The ongoing scramble for new colonies during the time also made it to be possible to have empires. The French had advanced in technology. This made it easier for them to intrude new lands and get resources and raw materials for their industries. Several factors made it to be easier for these nations to establish colonies in Africa as compared to Asia (Hochschild 28). Reasons for Endurance and End Between 1880 and 1920, there was endurance as millions of Congo citizens died of starvation, being overworked, diseases, also from violence. All the atrocities against the Congolese were committed during King Leopold’s reign. They still remain a secret well hidden from the public sphere. From the book, we see that King Leopold had the support of Morton Stanley, thus giving him full control of the empire. Through this he forced people to work as slaves. Some of the factors that led to this situation included corruption, political intrigue and propaganda’s. The rights of the people were always ignored and were treated as slaves. During the same time, the other European nations were busy scrambling for colonies in Africa and thus the situation could not be easily resolved (Hochschild 39). Current international watchdogs and humanitarian organizations had not been created by that time. This made it to be impossible for people to be free from colonial brutality and slavery. During the same time, the Congolese was weak and ‘uncivilized’ as the colonialists. This fact saw them to be not in a position of fighting back and asking for their rights. Everything that happened in Congo was never studied hence resulting in the savagery. Another contributing factor to the atrocities committed by King Leopold was his use of the disguise of ‘civilizing’ Africans. Eventually, through his leadership led to the enslavement and raping of the Congolese people. Looking at it keenly, this atrocity cannot happen again whereby more than 4 million people end up dying of starvation and brutality or diseases. Currently we have international observers and humanitarian organizations monitoring any atrocity committed against humanity and especially in the third world nations. Very few casualties were reported in Senegal compared with what happened in Congo. This helps us note the existing differences between French and Belgium imperialism during the colonial period. The French government was in control of all its colonies and appointed governors to manage the newly established colonies (Hochschild 47). This was done to ensure that legislation’s and policies were maintained. On the contrary, Belgium was not keenly on what was happening in its colonies. This is the reason for over 4 million people dying in Congo from starvation, controllable diseases, and prolonged violence also due to forced labor. Summary Unlike King Leopold, Léopold Senghor was a little humane and accommodated the Africans in a better manner. This is a crucial difference between the imperialism of these two colonial powers. This is the reason why lesser casualties were reported in the colony. In 1980, Léopold Senghor decided to resign so that the country can have liberty and controlled political agenda. While there are several differences between these two powers, it is notable that the colonialists were led by greed and search for industrial materials. They never observed the human rights required by the African at all and the reason they continued to live in poor conditions. The continued assimilation in West Africa made it to be possible for the French to stay longer in countries without serious opposition from their subjects. In Congo, the people became bitter and eventually a revolution began as the Africans ganged up in quest for their independence. Conclusion Looking at the above discussions, and basing these facts on the novel ‘King Leopolds Ghost’ by Adam, we will agree that the lives of the Africans were made hard by the colonialists. For every little thing that happened, it would be necessary to hold these people responsible for their actions. They should also be indicted for failing to promote peace and happiness during their imperialism (Hochschild 124). The only thing which one can agree on is that greed, and desire was the leading forces. As well, many issues affecting the people were not addressed by these ‘civilized people.’ Either way, it is agreeable that the colonists suffered immensely in the hands of their masters, they were paid badly and so on. Two classes as explained by Karl Marx were created. Eventually the poor ganged up in an effort to evict the whites in what the philosopher called revolution. This is exactly what happened in most of the African nations in order to obtain their independence. In conclusion, the current situation of the African nations should be attributed to the actions and behavior of the ‘civilized people’. Works Cited Hochschild, Adam. King Leopolds Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror and Heroism in Colonial Africa. New York: Penguin Books, 1998. Print. Read More