Podcast Summary: The Rest Is History - Episode 538. "Horror in the Congo: The Nightmare Begins (Part 1)"

Release Date: February 10, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 538 of The Rest Is History, hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook delve into one of the darkest chapters of European colonialism: the establishment of the Congo Free State under King Leopold II of Belgium. Connecting literary insights from Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness to the real historical events, the episode sets the stage for understanding the profound human and moral horrors that unfolded in Central Africa.

Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness

The discussion begins with an exploration of Joseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness, featuring the protagonist Marlow, a seaman navigating the River Congo. Dominic Sandbrook highlights the book's multifaceted portrayal of colonialism's moral corruption and the inherent darkness within the human soul.

Dominic Sandbrook [04:24]: "It's a book that anticipates so much of the culture of the 20th century in wrestling with kind of man's capacity for evil and the possibilities of violence and brutality."

Tom Holland agrees, emphasizing Conrad's portrayal of Africa as a reflection of European inner darkness and setting the literary foundation for the historical narrative.

King Leopold II: The Man Behind the Madness

The episode transitions to the real-life figure of King Leopold II, examining his upbringing and personal traits that fueled his colonial ambitions. Born in 1835, Leopold grew up in a loveless and cold household, fostering insecurities and a relentless desire for power and prestige.

Tom Holland [10:10]: "He grows up a moody kind of gangling and humorless boy."

Leopold's dissatisfaction with Belgium—a small nation overshadowed by its powerful neighbors—motivated his quest for an empire. Unlike other European powers of the time, Belgium lacked a significant merchant navy or colonial presence, making Leopold's ambitions both audacious and unique.

European Scramble for Africa

Holland and Sandbrook provide context on the late 19th-century "Scramble for Africa," where European nations vied for territorial acquisition across the continent. By the mid-1870s, much of Africa remained unexplored by Europeans, presenting both an opportunity and a challenge for ambitious figures like Leopold.

Tom Holland [07:08]: "It's not just a story about horror. It's a story about celebrity, about international relations, royalty. There's a lot of sex in it. There's loads of politics."

Henry Morton Stanley: Leopold's Key Ally

Central to Leopold's plans was the renowned explorer Henry Morton Stanley. Born John Rawlins in Wales, Stanley became a celebrated journalist and explorer after his famous expedition to find Dr. David Livingstone. His dramatic entrance with the phrase, though likely apocryphal, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume," catapulted him to international fame.

Tom Holland [27:21]: "So disappointing. Let's pretend that he said it."

Leopold saw Stanley as the perfect tool to establish his personal empire in the Congo. Offering Stanley a lucrative five-year contract, Leopold aimed to secure Stanley's expertise, prestige, and labor to lay the groundwork for his colonial ambitions.

The International African Association: A Front for Exploitation

Leopold orchestrated the formation of the International African Association, masquerading as a charitable organization dedicated to combating slavery and promoting scientific exploration. This facade allowed Leopold to gain European and American support while concealing his true profit-driven motives.

Tom Holland [24:07]: "Don't think that I want anything for myself... I have no, shocking, no ambition other than to serve Belgium."

Stanley's role within the Association was pivotal. Tasked with establishing trading posts and infrastructure along the Congo River, Stanley's expeditions were marked by extreme brutality and exploitation, laying the foundation for the atrocities that would follow.

Deceptive Treaties and Territorial Acquisition

Leveraging Stanley's expeditions, Leopold employed deceitful treaties to claim vast territories. These agreements, often misunderstood or misrepresented to African chiefs, effectively surrendered land and labor rights to Leopold's private company under the guise of mutual benefit.

Tom Holland [53:42]: "He absolutely sees what's going on with the other empires... But in Leopold's case, he... wants to serve himself."

By June 1884, Stanley had secured treaties with over 450 chiefs, granting Leopold unprecedented control over the Congo basin. This strategic maneuvering culminated in the Berlin Conference, where major European powers formalized their African territories, officially recognizing Leopold's ownership of the Congo Free State.

The Berlin Conference and the Birth of the Congo Free State

The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 marked the zenith of the Scramble for Africa. Delegates from major European nations, along with the United States and the Ottoman Empire, convened to divide the African continent without any African representation.

Tom Holland [60:13]: "By February 1885, the conference has reached an agreement, and for Leopold, it is the perfect result."

Leopold's cunning manipulation of international politics ensured that his personal control over the Congo was recognized, distinct from Belgium's national interests. The Congo Free State was thus established as a personal fiefdom of Leopold, setting the stage for unprecedented exploitation and human rights abuses.

Conclusion: The Onset of a Nightmare

As the episode concludes, Holland and Sandbrook highlight the ominous beginnings of Leopold's reign over the Congo Free State. The meticulous planning, deceitful diplomacy, and ruthless force that characterized Leopold's approach laid the groundwork for the horrific atrocities that would soon engulf Central Africa.

Dominic Sandbrook [61:37]: "But now that the Congo Free State has been set up with Leopold as its monarch, for the people of the Congo, the real horror begins."

Part 1 effectively sets the historical context and introduces the key players whose actions would lead to one of the most brutal periods of colonial exploitation in history. Listeners are left anticipating the ensuing horrors that would unfold under Leopold's rule, to be continued in the subsequent episodes.

Notable Quotes:

• Dominic Sandbrook [04:24]: "It's a book that anticipates so much of the culture of the 20th century in wrestling with kind of man's capacity for evil and the possibilities of violence and brutality."

• Tom Holland [10:10]: "He grows up a moody kind of gangling and humorless boy."

• Tom Holland [27:21]: "So disappointing. Let's pretend that he said it."

• Tom Holland [53:42]: "He absolutely sees what's going on with the other empires... But in Leopold's case, he... wants to serve himself."

• Dominic Sandbrook [61:37]: "But now that the Congo Free State has been set up with Leopold as its monarch, for the people of the Congo, the real horror begins."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and historical narratives presented in Episode 538, providing listeners with a clear and engaging overview of the harrowing beginnings of the Congo Free State under King Leopold II.