The Incentive
Ivory production provided an economic incentive for European colonization. King Leopold knew he would be able to gain money through the production of goods such as rubber and ivory, and once he found an oppertunity to take over Africa, he took action.
European Colonization
In 1867, the Congo was explored by the Europeans. European explorers sailed to Africa, wrote down their observations, then sailed back to Europe. One famous explorer, Henry Morton Stanley, brought tales of his journey back to Europe and wrote about them. When Kind Leopold heard of this, he decided he wanted to expand and take over Congo. Because of King Leopold's greed, he decided that by expanding, he would be able to gain money for himself, and he created companies such as Association Internationale Africaine and Association Internationale du Congo, which looked as though there were many people involved and bennifiting, but really, Leopold was the only shareholder- he was in charge by himself.
King Lepold decided to recuit Stanley by giving Stanley money to go and explore. He also promised Stanley a life of wealth and luxury after having taken over Congo. Over a three year time period, Stanely would be able to gain territory in Congo by usely modern weapory to kill all who prevented him from doing so. Due to his violent ways, Stanley began to gain land.
In 1880, Europeans only took over about 10% of the land in Africa costally, and by 1883, established a beachhead on the lower Congo. Once coming across the ruler of Congo, Stanley negotiated an agreement, in which Stanley did not keep true to.
When Stanley returned back to Europe having obtained new land, King Leopold was pleased, though Stanley's reward for his hard work was not reward at all- King Leopold had Stanley replaced.
Here is a video of an over-view of King Leopold's plan and how he colonized. Can be stopped around 2:00:
King Lepold decided to recuit Stanley by giving Stanley money to go and explore. He also promised Stanley a life of wealth and luxury after having taken over Congo. Over a three year time period, Stanely would be able to gain territory in Congo by usely modern weapory to kill all who prevented him from doing so. Due to his violent ways, Stanley began to gain land.
In 1880, Europeans only took over about 10% of the land in Africa costally, and by 1883, established a beachhead on the lower Congo. Once coming across the ruler of Congo, Stanley negotiated an agreement, in which Stanley did not keep true to.
When Stanley returned back to Europe having obtained new land, King Leopold was pleased, though Stanley's reward for his hard work was not reward at all- King Leopold had Stanley replaced.
Here is a video of an over-view of King Leopold's plan and how he colonized. Can be stopped around 2:00: