Congo Free State propaganda war

The Congo Free State propaganda war was a worldwide media propaganda campaign waged by both King Leopold II of Belgium and the critics of the Congo Free State. Leopold was very astute in using the media to support his virtual private control of the nation. Edmund Dene Morel, successfully campaigned against Leopold and focused public attention on the violence of Leopold's rule. Morel used the mass media of that time, from newspapers and pamphlets to books including evidence from reports, eye-witness testimony, and pictures obtained from missionaries and others involved directly in the Congo. As Morel gained high-profile supporters, the publicity generated by his campaign eventually forced Leopold to relinquish control of the Congo to the Belgian government.

The Congo Free State propaganda war (1884–1912) occurred at the height of European Imperialism. Demand for goods drove European imperialism, and (with the important exception of British East India Company rule in India), the European stake in Asia was confined largely to trading stations and strategic outposts necessary to protect trade. Industrialization, however, dramatically increased European demand for scarce raw materials. The severe Long Depression of the 1870s provoked a scramble to develop new markets for European industrial products and financial services. European nations determined to exploit the natural resources of Africa and develop new markets there.

Leopold thought overseas colonies critically important to becoming a great power, and worked to establish colonial possessions for Belgium. The national legislature did not authorize the colonial enterprise, and Leopold eventually acquired a colony in the Congo for himself with money loaned by the Belgian government for the purpose.

After a number of unsuccessful schemes for colonies in Africa and Asia, he organized a private holding company in 1876, disguised as an international scientific and philanthropic association, called the International African Society (IAA). It had a flag and an executive council which he chaired. Leopold formulated and used the following explicit goals of the IAA to justify his ambitions in the Congo:

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