On this day, 113 years ago, Belgium voted in favor of annexing the Congo as a Belgian colony, taking over from Leopold II.
On this day, 113 years ago, Belgium voted in favor of annexing the Congo as a Belgian colony, taking over from Leopold II.
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[Context ](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_Congo)
On 18 October 1908, the Belgian Parliament voted in favour of annexing the Congo as a Belgian colony. A majority of the socialists and the radicals firmly opposed this annexation and reaped electoral benefits from their anti-colonialist campaign, but some believed that the country should annex the Congo and play a humanitarian role to the Congolese population. Eventually, two Catholic MPs and half of the Liberal MPs joined the socialists in rejecting the Colonial Charter (forty-eight votes against) and nearly all the Catholics and the other half of the Liberal MP’s approved the charter (ninety votes for and seven abstentions). This way, on 15 November 1908 the Belgian Congo became a colony of the Belgian Kingdom. This was after King Leopold II had given up any hope of excluding a vast region of the Congo from the government’s control by attempting to maintain a substantial part of the Congo Free State as a separate crown property.
When the Belgian government took over the administration in 1908, the situation in the Congo improved in certain respects. The brutal exploitation and arbitrary use of violence, in which some of the concessionary companies had excelled, were curbed. The crime of “red rubber” was put to a stop. Article 3 of the new Colonial Charter of 18 October 1908 stated that: “Nobody can be forced to work on behalf of and for the profit of companies or privates”, but this was not enforced, and the Belgian government continued to impose forced labour on the natives, albeit by less obvious methods.
The transition from the Congo Free State to the Belgian Congo was a turning point, but it was also marked by a considerable continuity. The last Governor-General of the Congo Free State, Baron Wahis, remained in office in the Belgian Congo, and the majority of Leopold II’s administration with him.While conditions were improved somewhat relative to rule under King Leopold, reports by doctors such as Dr. Raingeard show the low importance the Belgian government placed on healthcare and basic education of the natives. Opening up the Congo and its natural and mineral riches for the Belgian economy remained an important motive for colonial expansion, but other priorities, such as healthcare and basic education, gradually gained in importance
[How King Leopold II of Belgium killed 10 million Africans in The Congo](https://theafricanhistory.com/1477)
Tanganyika, nice name of country.
Wasn’t king Leopoldo II the “handyman”
Leopold II was considerably more of a past person than expected.
It’s worth to note that while they were more lenient towards natives,there wasn’t much of an improvement under the belgiums after they’d taken it from Leopold.Leopold is a disgusting human being indeed.
Please note: That Belgium insert is to scale with the main map of Congo…
Fun fact: Belgians built monuments to Leopold II AFTER the whole thing was revealed, including equestrian statue with grateful african people at his feet.
Another fun fact: Belgium helped start civil war in Congo in 60’s by assassinating congolese prime minister
Modern day europeans:”hey we personally didn’t do anything so no compensation ever should be paid, at all. Also, let’s build monument to our beloved King Leopold II for all that architecture he built. I wonder where did he get money for that?”
Thanks Britain.
Funny how Germany was painted the bad and imperialistic guy back then for uniting and wanting to have colonies.
Whilst Britains wanted half of Africa and gave the parts it couldn’t get to their allies and their puppet state Belgium.
Germany used its colonies to retake Helgoland which Britain coloniesed and pjt a major threat to German ports.
It was still an absolute hellhole to live in but at least the bad bearded man was gone.
Its still one of most dangerous and unstable places on planet.
Add its extreme mineral wealth and everyone has a reason to fight.
EU has it “capital” in Brussels. Where they still celebrate King Leopold by having street names after him and still show in museum of Africa https://www.africamuseum.be/en what they stole from Congo. Leopold build all avenues that lead to Tervuren park where only rich live. In same museam they had human zoo excibition 60y ago.
They still hold moral highground and act smug. They will get what they deserve.
Was the vote by a show of hands?
From the website of the belgium monarchy on the issue:
1904
“Following the excesses committed by the Europeans in Africa, Leopold’s reputation and his overseas venture were questioned. The King set up an International Commission of Inquiry, which recognised the merits of the royal action in Congo, while pointing out abuses and shortcomings.”
[https://www.monarchie.be/en/royal-family/history/king-leopold-ii](https://www.monarchie.be/en/royal-family/history/king-leopold-ii)
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Now imagine such a statemeant from Hitlers family members about his policies…
Nobody ever faced trials for it and Belgium, its royal family and its people to this day are profiting from it. Its the same as if the germans would be allowed to keep all the gold stolen from the jews after WW2…