The Effects of European Imperialism on the Current Day Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Jasulavic

Karl Jasulavic

Mrs. Neuhaus

Eng 111

14 September 2004

The Effects of European Imperialism on the Current Day

Democratic Republic of the Congo

 

        It is a well known fact that the areas of central Africa have long suffered from poverty, death, disease, and lack of technology, but what is responsible for this?  No one can say for sure what the cause of the areas misfortune is, but one possible explanation can be linked all the way back to King Leopold’s time.   Specifically, European imperialism lead by King Leopold in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.  King Leopold planted seeds in Central Africa that in turn lead to these long-term hardships that plague the area to this day.  

        Before exploring the notion that European imperialism is the reason for Central Africa’s strife the word imperialism needs to be discussed.  Imperialism is a tricky subject with no real definition; however there are ideas and social phenomena that can be used for explanation.  Depending on what the situation is imperialism can mean several different things.  For the most part, in modern times, imperialism has included the aggressive establishment of political control by one state over another through different methods.  Colonies and protectorates are two major means by which states take force upon other states, this is also known as “formal imperialism.”  Not only is brute force used as a way to control other states but so is preying on economic weakness.  Strong states with stronger economies often exploit less industrialized countries via their economic advantage.  In addition, according to Woodruff D. Smith’s book, European Imperialism In The 19th and 20th Centuries, “Imperialism also refers to attitudes evinced both by elite groups and by mass publics in Europe toward other peoples – attitudes of racial superiority that justified exploitation and, sometimes, ideas of the obligations of “civilized” to “uncivilized” peoples” (Smith).  The men chained together like animals and the man that was beaten for the fire are examples of imperialize.  These are human beings that are reduced to the level of animals because another nation feels that’s how it should be.  A stronger state that views its people as superior in comparison to others and tries to “imperialize” based on these notions is an example of this idea.    

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        Born on April the ninth 1835, Léopold Louis Philippe Marie Victor, of Belgium was a skinny awkward man that was set to inherit the throne after his father, King Leopold I, passed it onto him.  During the years leading up to him becoming King of Belgium in 1865, King Leopold was one of the most prominent travelers during his time.  Spending much of his time abroad raised an interest in him to settle lands overseas.  After becoming King he lobbied to the parliament to allow himself to send expeditions to Africa in search of new lands.  Eventually, King Leopold claimed ...

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