The Congo Significance

Role in History Called the “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad the river and surrounding rainforest = mysterious land of pygmies, mythical beasts, dreadful plagues, and cannibals. The Congo River is the key to Africa for Europeans. It allows them access to the center of the continent without having to physically cross it; in other words, it allows the white man to remain always separate or outside. Africa is thus reduced to a series of two- dimensional scenes that flash by Marlow’s steamer as he travels upriver. The river also seems to want to expel Europeans from Africa altogether: its current makes travel upriver slow and difficult, but the flow of water makes travel downriver, back toward “civilization,” rapid and seemingly inevitable. Marlow’s struggles with the river as he travels upstream toward Kurtz reflect his struggles to understand the situation in which he has found himself. The ease with which he journeys back downstream, on the other hand, mirrors his acquiescence to Kurtz and his “choice of nightmares.”

The Roi des Belges, the Belgian riverboat Conrad commanded on the upper Congo, 1889

Colonialism/Exploitation European (white) → European (white) = War European (white) → Non-European (non-white) = Colonization Congo’s resources: Ivory, Rubber, Cobalt, Diamonds, Gold, Tin, Copper. Progression of demand has led to centuries of exploitation and war. (1800s) Ivory, Rubber, Diamonds, Gold, Minerals for Electronics (now)

King Leopold II’s Rule The Congo Free State became Leopold’s private holding Borrowed money from the Belgium government 76 times larger than Belgium Private army 2-15 million Congolese died ?

King Leopold II Acquired Congo by sending a group of fake “scientists” and “humanitarians.” Used forced/slave labor to extract resources. Tortured and mutilated dissenters. "I have just returned from a journey inland to the village of Insongo Mboyo. The abject misery and utter abandon is positively indescribable. I was so moved, Your Excellency, by the people's stories that I took the liberty of promising them that in future you will only kill them for crimes they commit."

Did not produce enough rubber for King Leopold’s crew

King Leopold = Rubber Vine

Current demand: portable electronic devices.