Leopold

King Leopold took over the Congo through the Berlin Conferences during a time when many other European countries were expanding their empires into Africa. King Leopold made deals with other countries such as the United States to include them in the free enterprise that was taking place. The US along with other countries, supported Leopold because of the Congo's high amount of natural Rubber. However, what these countries were not aware of was the brutal tactics Leopold used to gain power and wealth in the Congo. Leopold disregarded many of the laws put forth by the Berlin Conference. There were no social programs to help the natives, the slave trade still existed, he killed many innocent people, and created a monopoly of trade among his colony. Because of this, I believe that his reign of the Congo was unjust and non-ethical. George Washington Williams was among the first to prove the brutality of the Congo, and write letters to Leopold and other government affiliates proving the crimes and unjust acts that took place. Through Williams evidence and facts I think that Leopold was a horrible leader and disagree with his reign.

When George Washington Williams went to the Belgian Congo he was doing a study to try and bring African Americans over seas to Africa. While he was getting a feel for this new land, he corresponded with King Leopold, and was outraged, at what was taking place. In his first letter, he makes his purpose known by stating:

I have the honour to submit for your Majesty's consideration some reflections respecting the Independent Sate of Congo, based upon a careful study and

inspection of the country and character of the personal Government you have established upon the African Continent.

Williams sets up his argument in the beginning by stating it was a personal study. However, these facts and accusations he has written may not be all credible, because he does not site another person whom was a witness to all these atrocities. Aside from this, I believe that his letters are credible because he wishes to show all that was taking place with King Leopold's government. It is apparent that Williams has a high amount of respect for Leopold because he writes, "I implore your most gracious permission to address you without restraint, and with the frankness of a man who feels that he has a duty to perform to History, Humanity, Civilization and to the Supreme being, who is himself the "King of Kings." This quotation leads me to believe that Williams wanted Leopold to be aware of what was going on in his colony.

Part of being a good ruler or a leader of a country is to provide for the citizens that live there. Leopold on the other hand did nothing of the sort. Although he was supposed to provide civil services, they were non existent to the natives. George Washington Williams writes in one of his letters

I had never been able to conceive of Europeans, establishing a government in a tropical country, without building a hospital; and yet from the mouth of the Congo River to its head-waters, here at the seventh cataract, a distance of 1,448 miles, there is not a solitary hospital for Europeans, and only three sheds for sick Africans in the service of the State, not to be occupied by a horse.

This excerpt from Williams letter shows how Leopold turns his eyes away from the native people. There are no hospitals for any of the Europeans who help King Leopold in his endeavors. This allows for sickness, and causes death. I believe that the duty of a Country's leader is to take care and provide services to those who need it. It is clear that King Leopold did not provide for those who were subservient to him, thus showing that he was not fit to rule the Congo Free State.

King Leopold was also guilty of not providing a secure economy and education to the people of the Congo. Williams writes, "there has been to my knowledge, Ð''no honest and practical effort to increase their knowledge and secure their welfare.' Your Majesty's Government has never spent one franc for educational purposes, nor instituted any practical system of industrialism." It is the right of any person in the free world to be educated and learn to read and write their own language. Unfortunately This did not occur in the Congo Free State. King Leopold did not put forth the capital to help the natives succeed in some way shape or form. Williams suggests that there is also no native person that takes part in the Government of the Congo Free State. Therefore no representation of the natives is heard allowing the brutality to continue.

It is ironic that the country that King Leopold II controls is called the Congo Free State. How can it be called free if slavery still exists? Aside from that bit of irony, Leopold breached a main stipulation of the Berlin Conference treaty that took place in

1884. This conference focused on 6 issues that were resolved and agreed on by 14 powers of the world. One of these issues that was resolved was the international prohibition of

the slave trade. It turns out that every country agreed upon this issue but King Leopold. One of Williams charges against King Leopold says,

Your Majesty's Government is engaged in the slave-trade, wholesale and retail. It buys and sells and steals slaves. Your Majesty's Government gives 3 pounds per head for able-bodied slaves for military serviceÐ'... Three hundred N'taka-brassrod is the price the State pays for a slave, when bought from a native. The Labour force at the stations of your Majesty's Government in the upper river is composed of slaves of all ages and both sexes.

I believe this breech in contract is another reason why Leopold was not fit to be the leader of the Congo. He took advantage of his people and once again benefited from their suffering. Slavery alone helped to provide evidence of brutality that was forced upon the people of the Congo. However, if he had agreed to abolish slavery, the brutality in which Leopold supported would still have existed due to quarrels of trade and conquer of land.

Trade in the Congo Free State was geared towards a monopolistic way. King Leopold II wanted Belgian goods to be the only goods purchased by the natives of the Congo. Along with this, the agents of the Congo Free State appointed by Leopold did not keep the rivers free. This was yet another breach of the Berlin Conference treaty that shows Leopold's inability