King Leopold’s Ghost
During the 1800s and early 1900s, industrialization was at its peak in both America and Europe. These contributed to the rise of capitalism in the areas. Specifically, in Europe, there was a great need for raw materials for their companies. As a result, some investors like King Leopold Ghost opted to look for the raw materials outside Europe. This landed him to Congo, where he exploited the inhabitants of the region. Privatization of properties led to the exploitation of workers who worked in the farms and industries increase profits, and the capitalists ensured that they minimize the wages as much as possible. Also, they provided that they overwork the employees. These contributed to a significant difference between the wealthy and the poor. The governments could not interfere with the system because capitalists had much impact on the government through paying taxes.
King Leopold’s Ghost became the private owner of Congo Free State in 1885. After acquiring the area, Leopold leased the space for personal to private investors to do mining and other trades. As a result, there was significant demand for labor, and the only people who could provide the labor were the Congolese. Leopold turned Congolese into slaves, forcing them to work in the mines of the investors without payments. He punished those who refused to offer labor. He was involved in the killing, torture, and cutting of hands on the rebellious Congolese. Cases of rape and sexual slavery were common among Congolese women to force their husbands to work. During his era in the Congo region, there was a high demand for ivory and later rubber in Europe, and this led to the death of many elephants as well as the destruction of rubber trees. Before the end of his regime in Congo, King Leopold Ghost is believed to have caused the deaths of 10 million people. He did all these for the greedy of wealth.