Essay Sample on Scramble for Africa: Belgian Imperialism in 1884 Berlin Conference

The Berlin Conference started in Berlin in 1884 (Frankema, Williamson & Woltjer, 2018). Among the present nations, Belgium supported the imperialism of Africa more compared to any other country. Its ruler, King Leopold II, stressed in the conference the need for Belgium not to miss their share of the magnificent African cake. His statement initiated what is termed as Scramble for Africa. Belgium, German, Spain, Portugal, UK, and France all made their way to Africa. Belgium, in particular, inspired by acquisition of raw materials, found its way in the heart of Africa to Congo, presently known as the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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A major relationship between Belgium and Africa in specific Congo was seen in terms of religion. Initially, King Leopold II sent Belgian Christin missionaries to Congo (Au, 2017). They were required to spread Christianity, which formed the base of their relations with Congolese. Belgians, however, evangelized with their evangelization focused on their interests, which were to establish administration and industries in Congo. Therefore, through Christianity, Belgium Christian missionaries ultimately turned to a strategic tool for Belgian colonialism that was followed by Belgium traders, and eventually, the Belgium army (Au, 2017).

Colonialists used Social Darwinism to defend imperialism in Africa. Belgium, among other European countries, believed that Africa was not as strong and as fit as they were. Therefore, they claimed it was their responsibility to Christianize, civilize, and uplift Africans and its economy.

Belgium's motives for invading Congo was the acquisition of raw materials and other resources. Rubber was one of the raw materials that were in high demand in Europe for manufacturing automobile and bicycle tires. It was harvested in the deep African jungles and later transported to Belgium. Other resources in Africa include inland diamond, gold, and copper among others. Thus, all these resources were the primary motive of the Belgium invasion of Congo.

Ethnocentrism also manifested itself in practice between the relationship Belgians and Congolese. Belgium Christian missionaries degraded African society and culture. Thus, they denounced Congolese religious practices from their perception, viewed them as heathenism and witchcraft. Therefore, in their interactions, they sought to convert Congolese to Christianity, which they perceived was the best practice before exploiting them and their resources.

Christianity was a guise that Belgium used to support their exploration and conquest of Africa. For example, in his poem "The White Man's Burden," Kipling exclaims, "Your new-caught sullen peoples, Half-devil and half-child" (Kipling, 1929). These lines denote that Belgians believed that Africans were heathens and resigned to live a savagery life. Belgians called upon the Christian tenants to spread what they held was compassionate and just doctrine. Therefore, under the deception of humanitarian theology, Belgium strategically utilized Christianity as a divisible imperialistic device in African countries such as Congo.

References

Au, S. (2017). Medical Orders: Catholic and Protestant Missionary Medicine in the Belgian Congo 1880-1940. BMGN-Low Countries Historical Review, 132(1). DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/bmgn-lchr.10309

Frankema, E., Williamson, J., & Woltjer, P. (2018). An economic rationale for the West African scramble? The commercial transition and the commodity price boom of 1835-1885. The Journal of Economic History, 78(1), 231-267. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022050718000128

Kipling, R. (1929). The White Man's Burden: The United States & The Philippine Islands, 1899. Rudyard Kipling's Verse: Definitive Edition, 334-336. Retrieved from http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5478/