Congo Wrap-Up

1. Congo Wrap-Up Ms. Vargas MWH

2. Britain brings together several Chambers of Commerce and the APS (Aborigines Protection Society) • Books appear on the Congo situation • Widely reported in the press May 1902

3. Meet again • Some Chambers of Commerce were concerned about putting economic restrictions on the Congo • They want to be able to conduct their trade feely • They were shocked by abuses in the Congo but more upset that Leopold was giving a few Belgian companies monopolies (special access)  Not what the Berlin Act 1885 had said by free-trade 1903

4. Do Something – they say to the British Government • Public nature of these meetings puts pressure on Parliament • So they pass a resolution to discucss with the other signatories of the Berlin Act if something should be done Parliament Steps in..Sort of

5. Muted foreign response • Germany fears that if Belgium leaves France will take their colonial possessions • France’s practices in Africa were strikingly similar to Leopold’s – a carefully examination of the Congo could lead to attacks on France’s own actions Foreign Response

6. Free State Note – tries to discredit Britain’s investigation by saying the Britain is trying to take Belgium’s colony and incite a war with the natives Leopold Responds

7. Britain asked the British Consul in the Congo to write a report: • Noted some abuses, but also praised Europeans for intervening in the chaotic African communities • Casement met E.D. Morel and together they form the Congo Reform Association – 1904-1913 this group keeps the public informed about the cause and pressures government to take action Casement Report

8. Leopold’s attempts to discredit Britain angered the British Foreign Office • Parliament had another debate and while there was unanimous agreement that something must be done, there was widespread disagreement about what that something was 1904

9. Option 1 • Act now, force change • Option 2 • Cooperate with other Great Powers • Option 3 • Focus on the British Empire 3 Major Options

10. If Britain takes the lead, peoples around the world will respect Britain as a moral leader – also send a good signal to Britain’s own colonies that they do not accept abuses of the colonial system • By acting quickly, there will be less disruption to trade • If Britain acts, others will follow Option 1

11. The Great Powers, if unified, will be able to force Leopold to take action – there wouldn’t be a need for force • The lack of free trade has hurt other nations as well – they would be willing to work together • Germany and France have colonies bordering Congo – we need their help • Acting alone will increase fear and jealousy of Britain Option 2

12. If we intervene, we set a precedent that foreign nations can intervene in another country’s colony • Time and energy would be better spent focusing on our own Empire • Leopold should be persuaded to change through incentives • Taking action may upset the Balance of Power in Europe Option 3

13. Britain says that Leopold must investigate with an independent commission • While the final report was not as harsh as some wanted, it did accept that many of the findings of the Casement Report were true • Led to a barrage of criticism of Leopold in Belgium and abroad • In the U.S. a report comes out in the press that Leopold bought off Congressmen to keep the U.S. out of the issue • Immediately the US passes a resolution in support of any British action against Leopold • Leopold gives the Congo over the Belgium Government • Leopold creates a company for Rubber so that he can still get the Congo’s wealth and he orders all records of the Congo Free State destroyed Aftermath