Congo Wrap-UpMs. VargasMWH

May 1902

• Britain brings together several Chambers of Commerce and the APS (Aborigines Protection Society)

• Books appear on the Congo situation• Widely reported in the press

1903

• 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

Parliament Steps in..Sort of

• 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

Foreign Response

• 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

Leopold Responds

• 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

Casement Report

• 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

1904

• 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

3 Major Options

• Option 1• Act now, force change

• Option 2• Cooperate with other Great Powers

• Option 3• Focus on the British Empire

Option 1

• 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 2

• 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 3

• 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

Aftermath

• 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