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Chargement... The King Incorporated: Leopold the Second and the Congopar Neal Ascherson
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It is the aim of this text to describe Leopold II without prejudice. The text presents many aspects of his life: as a most ruthless negotiator; as the cold father; and as the sensual ancient riding his tricycle at Vilefranche-sur-Mer to pedal round to the villa of a young mistress. Aucune description trouvée dans une bibliothèque |
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Google Books — Chargement... GenresClassification décimale de Melvil (CDD)960History and Geography Africa AfricaClassification de la Bibliothèque du CongrèsÉvaluationMoyenne:
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Leopold II's crime was to make the Congo his personal domain, and enslave the locals to produce rubber and ivory for Leopold's private profit. The quotas placed on the locals and the punishments meted out to them for failing to reach the quotas are harrowing, and the fact he got away with doing this for so long is nothing short of astonishing.
Ascherson covers the history of the Congo, tied in as it was with the Scramble for Africa, the barbarity of life in the Congo and the international move to eventually condemn Leopold II to give up the world's largest personal estate. There are other books that cover this piece of history but I would start with "The King Incorporated" to get the best introduction. ( )