Genocide in the Congo

11/29/2021

The Power of images and photos can change history and expose human atrocities. In 1905, missionary Alice Harris took photographs with her Kodak camera exposing the horrific mutilations of the Congolese people by the Belgium Government. King Leopold's rubber slave trade killed twelve million people in the Congo, while thousands of survivors were left with mutilated limbs. The photographs were published in newspapers around the world and helped to end King Leopold's reign of the Congo.
1. Discuss the power of photographs and smart phones in present society? What examples of injustices can they expose?
2. What effect do these images have on your thoughts regarding imperialism in Africa, specifically the Congo?
3. What connections can you make between the Industrial Revolution and Imperialism in Africa? How do they connect?

6 Comments

Andy Chau

11/30/2021 09:53:50 pm

Photography is able to capture moments to keep forever. Like above, Alice Harris captured a photo of mutilations on the Congolese by the Belgium government. In present society, smartphones are able to capture anything and at anytime in high definition. Also, the fact that a smartphone is pocket-sized, it's easier to capture any moment in the matter of seconds. In my own experience, these photos really show how gruesome and horrible times were. Mutilating people over rubber is just insanity, let alone abuse people. The Congolese did not deserve for their land to be taken and their people killed over rubber. The Industrial Revolution and Imperialism are connected. The Industrial Revolution boosted economic growth and technological advancement. Imperialism occurred after the Industrial Revolution, using it's results to advance on furthermore.

Stephanie yeung

12/1/2021 09:47:46 pm

In present day society, photographs and smart phones have the power to catch every single moment. While photographs are like evidence to one’s words, smartphones can expose opinions, experiences, and teach others about things society hides from their citizens. An example of injustice they can expose is the hate going towards one specific group of people. With smartphones, anyone can go on the internet and post their past experiences for everyone to hear. This helps others understand what has been going on in the world towards a specific group of people. The images taken by Alice Harris makes me feel repulsive on how someone can treat another human being immorally. Just because one has control over everything doesn’t mean that they can do something so immoral. Because of the industrial revolution, many people are getting wealthier and the money that goes into investing new inventions are improving our technology. With wealthy people obtaining this new technology, for example guns, they can use it to harm others and abuse their power over the poor/unarmed.

Yibo Wang link

12/1/2021 11:49:31 pm

1) In modern day, the photography can capture a moment that is important for me. The photography is a great carrier for information because we can visual observe the information from other sides of the world. It is more powerful and easier for people obtain the information from the photo, rather than read those boring books. Photography can be a very useful tool to capture evidence for injustices. You can clearly see the injustices from photo and the tone that photo try to tell us. It give us a strong emotion feeling for this is not correct and not moral.
2) This image affected my thought about the situation of Congo. From the information of this image want tell me, I know it must be a hard time for these Africans who work for other country. They are depressing, poor, and seem like no hope for the life. They even can have cloth for upper body. It make me empathize to them more and feel very emotional for them.
3) The connection between Industrial Revolution and Imperialism in Africa is the requirements of natural resource for Industrial Revolution cause European did the Imperialisms in Africa for rich natural resource. For provide more and more resource for Industrial Revolution, and earn massive amount of money, the kings, nobles, high class people, and many people used a extremes way to force African work for them and gave African's lands to them-Imperialisms.

Karla Ramirez

12/2/2021 12:23:44 pm

1) My oppinon that now Photography is the ultimate tool for capturing our surroundings with a realistic approach. now nature of capturing evidence, impacted the way we remember things from our past.

2) The effects badedon the image is imperialism in Africa, specifically the Congo about that the Colonialism is a huge impact on the lives of Africans the Economic policies were adopted by Europeans who destroyed the colonies.

3) Basically that Europe will expand, but the power to successfully take and maintain so many colonies overseas tand of industrial revolution will create Europe to take over colonies around the world.

belinda lam

12/3/2021 09:35:01 am

1. The power of photography with phones are extremely incredible. To have the power to create a memory and being able to look back on it anytime you'd like. It's as if you had stopped time and is viewable at any time. They don't always hold memories but can hold some terrible events that have happened. Photos can expose feeling like as if you're reading something, you can feel the feeling in the photo according to their actions. Their eyes and body language can tell many things

2. These images made me think that people would actually abuse their own kind for money. The people controlling the Congo are disgusting beating humans to even cutting off their hands and feet because they were not working fast enough. I find that unforgivable and disgusting. The people only wished to leave in peace. Even children were abused and woman were raped by the Congo controllers.

3. The industrial revolution was the force behind this New Imperialism, as it created not only the need for Europe to expand, but the power to successfully take and profitably maintain so many colonies overseas. They wish to take over everything.

Nashali Diaz

12/3/2021 08:30:44 pm

1.The power of photography is incredible cause it’s able to capture a moment in your life that you may not remember. But you can also read too much into photos and overthink it. A picture only captures one angle or “one side of the story” so you can never be sure what the picture really means unless you were there.

2.These images changed my thought on how it really is. I find it really unfair that they got their hands and legs cut off just because they would make a simple mistake.They didn’t deserve too loose their land and be abused. Their punishments were very extreme an I don’t believe any human should have to go through this.

3.The people in the higher class took advantage of their power and overworked their “workers” just to get what they wanted. The industrial revolution caused economic growth and was a success. But it was only made to cover up the new imperialism. And to take over everything.

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Our World History class blog brings students together in an online discussion forum. Weekly topics will be posted for students to discuss. Students will receive an additional five points each week for quality responses to our blog topics. Please remember to post respectful and insightful comments and include your full name and period at the conclusion of your response. In addition, you will be required to comment on at least two other students' post to receive the full 5 points.

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