King Leopold II, born in 1835, was a greedy man who was never satisfied with his small infant country, comparable size of its Maryland in the U.S., which had just got independence in 1830. With small size of country with parliamentary democracy limiting his personal power, he started searching for something from his early reign, which might boost his wealth and power. He felt that by owning more than just his small country, that he would somehow be validated

Since the beginning of the colony, thousands of African had taken as porters who had to follow the explorers or conquerors on foot carrying heavy loads. Without enough food and rest, they had to walk till death relieved them. During ivory and rubber boom, natives were obliged to collect certain amount otherwise faced their beloved ones dead, or whipped with chicotte, or put to death. The Force Publique was used to suppress any rebellion or resistance. To make sure that any bullet was wasted on hunting, soldiers were ordered to cut dead one’s right hand for every shot fire.

This book is about a sad story that happened in the Dark Continent. While reading it, it put me into various moods; sad, shock, and anger. I just could not help thinking that the King Leopold was a lucky person who had a very peaceful death compared to what he had done. As Zachary Karabell said, it is quite mortifying that while Hitler committed suicide, the Japanese were routed after Nanking, but Leopold died in his bed vastly enriched by the suffering of millions.

However, it was not long after the Congo became someone’s personal colony when there was second spotlight on the Congo although this time was due to brutalism and mistreatment of the African. Everybody became known of what was really happening: forcing labor till death, taking women and children as hostages, the brutal whipping, mass murder simply for pleasure or punishment for disobedience, and the white officers of the military Force Publique.

However, Morel had one misconception on colonialism. He felt that as long as the government practiced fairly and justly, there was nothing inherently wrong with colonialism (p210). For instance, he believed that the British colonies in West Africa was a good example. It is also certain that White people believed in their superiority to other races. H

Some topics in this essay:
Force Publique, King Leopold’s, African Asia, Belgium Congo, Leopold II, Congo Stanley, Sate Congo, Mark Twain, West Africa, Stanley Welshman, king leopold, king leopold’s, king leopold ii, leopold ii, henry morton stanley, death toll, tell story, ivory rubber, henry morton, henry shelton, king leopold’s ghost, morton stanley, henry shelton sanford, edmund morel,