King Leopolds Ghost

King Leopold’s Ghost is a history book authored by Adam Hochschild where he explores how King Leopold II of Belgium exploited Congo Free State in 1885-1908. The main reason why Hochschild wrote the book was to make people aware of the European power’s crimes in Congo. King Leopold’s Ghost gives an account of a cruel, heartless and cunning king who raided Congo and took away the lives of the people and economic resources in the nation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on King Leopold’s Ghost specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It also describes those brave men who rebelled against the king such as the missionaries, young idealists and travelers. Many European powers wanted to own up Africa and Asia in 19th century. King Leopold II of Belgium decided to make attempts to join imperial leaders in their quest to obtain Africa and Asia. He managed to seize Congo River and its surrounding. He then c onducted genocidal raid of Congo whereby he looted rubber, maltreat Congolese people and reduced the population by elimination ten million citizens. King Leopold however considered himself as a great humanitarian for all these evil actions. Archbishop of Canterbury, Mark Twain and many other people joined forces to expose King Leopold’s bad deeds in Congo. This eventually led to the formation of Human Rights Movement. This paper mainly reflects on how colonization undermined Congolese society and why this was a natural result of late 19th century imperialism. Many countries which were colonized by European powers were greatly undermined. The European powers used excessive force to obtain what they wanted from the nations they had conquered and the people. They subjected their colonies to forced labor, brutal killed them, destroyed their properties and sold them out to slavery. Congo Free State is just an example of those African and Asian countries that were undermined by col onization. This therefore means that what happened to Congolese society was a typical and natural result of late 19th century imperialism which was practiced in many nations such as Assyrian Empire, Roman Empire, Japan, Chinese Empire, Persian Empire, Greece, Ottoman Empire and Byzantine Empire. King Leopold II was just like other imperialist who glorified in evil actions. King Leopold II of Belgium considered himself as a great humanitarian for genocidal raid of Congo whereby he looted rubber, maltreat Congolese people and reduced the population by elimination ten million citizens. Imperialism was a controversial aspect whereby imperialists justified their actions.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More They believed that they acted on a rational ground by doing their work best since they considered themselves to be highest in social efficiency. Imperial powers believed that the world and the people in it should be developed and governed by those who had the highest social efficiency and they saw themselves to possess that power to govern the world based on the best way they knew. King Leopold of Belgium is among the most powerful imperialists to have lived. In his book, King Leopold’s Ghost, Hochschild described King Leopard as a greedy monster and huffy person who was determined at a tender age to own African colony and make them his subject to be able to acquire the wealth in the country. After taking over Congo Free State, Leopold decided to make profits out of ivory in Congo by destroying the lives of many elephants in the nation. Leopold actually exploited all the ivory in Congo Free State. The expansion of international gold and rubber market forced Leopold change his plans of extracting ivory since it was no longer valuable as gold and rubber. Leopold began to force Congolese people into the forest to collect rubber. When he felt unsatisfied by the work t hat the villagers were doing in the forest, Leopold ordered his soldiers to whip the people which left a large number of people dead. The soldiers used humans to test whether their bullets were working. The native people were the main victims of King Leopold II. They lost their own land and freedom to Leopold. Leopold used force and harsh methods to accumulate rubber. He cheated the native people that he was going to bring them Christian charity, European civilization and ethics in work. Leopold took away children and women hostage while men were forced to make quotas. The women were held in chains while waiting for their husbands to bring back the right amount of rubber as demanded by Leopold. Those who faltered were either killed or tortured by the soldiers. The hands of slaves were severed to put in a basket to act as a proof of murder which Leopold glorified in. Imperialized mainly glorified in causing others pain and forcing them to obey him. King Leopold liked the fact that he was terrorizing and controlling a huge population. This was however stranger since the imperialists claimed that they were civilized yet they treated human beings in a different way.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on King Leopold’s Ghost specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Leopold considered faster way of murdering the natives in Congo since he was sure that the wild rubber in the nation will ultimately be taken by those who worked in the rubber plantations to gain profit. Leopold joined together with other people to stem forces in Congo and eventually managed to destroy the nation. Leopold had mastered traditional African ways of oppression and brigandage that he used to achieve what he wanted from the natives. He also had vicious experience with different techniques used to inflict pain on people which will eventually make them surrender to his requests. Leopold also used machine guns, steamboats and railwa ys in his quest for Africa. The slaves were used to transport the rubber to the railhead or to the river. Leopold was a wild man both outside and inside his palace. His unmatched political strategy and his cunning tactics enabled him to keep United States away from Congo such that they were not able investigate what was taking place in the country. Leopold continued to enjoy the protection he got from United States in spite of the fact that they were against slavery, colonial and opposed republican principals. The European nations did not involve much in Congo which was astonishing given that imperialism and prejudice was much widespread in the country. Leopold however continued to slaughter Congolese people and exploit those in the West. There were however some brave men who decided to object Leopold way of ruling in Congo. They include George Washington Williams, Roger Casement, E.D. Morel and William Sheppard. They helped in bringing factual occurrences in Congo that was hidden t o the public especially to United States. They spoke about the human abuse that was taking place in Congo under the rule of King Leopold II of Belgium. In conclusion, the book King Leopold’s Ghost is an account of a cruel, heartless and cunning King Leopold II of Belgium who raided Congo and took away the lives of the people and economic resources in the nation. It also describes those brave men who rebelled against the king such as the missionaries, young idealists and travelers. This paper has reflected on how colonization undermined Congolese society. This essay on King Leopold’s Ghost was written and submitted by user Anderson Everett to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Colombia Essays (1223 words) - San Ciro De Acosta, Free Essays

Colombia Essays (1223 words) - San Ciro De Acosta, Free Essays Colombia La situacion de los derechos humanos en Colombia es, sin duda, la peor de America Latina. Las ejecuciones extra-judiciales, la tortura, las desapariciones, las violaciones contra ninos e indigenas han alcanzado en los ultimos anos en proporsiones epidemicas. Voy a hablar de los derechos humanos en respecto al conversaciones del presidente con las guerrillas, la libertad de expresion y de prensa y el Plan Colombia. Colombia es una democracia constitucional multipartidista en la cual los partidos liberales y conservadores han dominado la escena politica durante un largo tiempo. Los ciudadanos colombianos eligieron en 1998 al presidente Andres Pastrana del partido conservador y un cogreso bicameral controlado por el partido liberal en unas elecciones libres, justas y trasparentes, pese a los intentos de intimidacion y fraude de parte de los grupos paramilitares, las guerrillas y los narcotraficantes. Los principales protagonistas fueron las fuerzas de seguridad del gobierno, los grupos paramilitares, la guerrilla y los narcotraficantes, mientras que en otras fueron los grupos paramilitares los que se enfrentaron a la guerrilla, y en otras la guerrilla ataco a los miembros desmovilizados de facciones guerrilleras rivales. Los grupos guerrilleros mas importantes son las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) y el Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN). Estan integrados por un numero aproximado de 11.000 a 17.000 combatientes permanentes organizados en mas de 100 grupos semiautonomous. En julio de 1998, el presidente Pastrana se reunio con el lider de las FARC Manuel Marulanda Velez y acepto establecer una zona desmilitarizada en la cual las dos partes pudieran adelantar dialogos directos de paz. En enero, Marulanda no se presento para la inauguracion formal programada de los dialogos de paz en la zona de despeje. El presidente Pastrana y Marulanda se reunieron nuevamente en mayo y acordaron la agenda para las negociaciones formales y los procedimientos a la creacion de una comision internacional de verificacion que se encargaria de garantizar que ambas partes cumplieron con los terminos del despeje. Los grupos paramilitares y guerrilleros perpetraron la gran mayoria de las matanzas politicas y extrajudiciales. En todo el pais, los grupos paramilitares mataron, torturaron y amenazaron a civiles sospechosos para simpatizar con la guerrilla. Tambien las fuerzas paramilitares se disputaron con la guerrilla y participaron directamente en la produccion y el trafico de n arcoticos. Durante este ano, el presidente Pastrana se junto otra vez con Marulanda para hablar del plan Colombia y para alcanzar un proceso de paz. El segundo problema en Colombia es la libertad de expresion y de prensa. La constitucion contempla la libertad de prensa, sin embargo el gobierno respeta en general este derecho en la practica, hubo algunas excepciones significativas. Los periodistas practican regularmente la autocensura a fin de evitar represalia y hostigamiento. Sin embargo, los medios impresos privados publicaron una gama amplia de opiniones politicas y en ocasiones manifestan opiniones duras contra el gobierno sin temor de las represalias administrativas. Todos los ciudadanos tienen derecho a solicitar una mocion de tutela en casos relacionados con la violacion de los derechos constitucionales. Esto le brinda todos las personas y organizaciones, incluidos los medios de comunicacin, un mecanismo para criticar las violaciones de los derechos fundamentales. Por parte tanto de los entes gubernamentales como de los privados. Los periodistas trabajan en general en un clima de amenaza e intimidacion. Debido al temor por su seguridad, los periodistas suelen abstenerse de publicar o sacar a la luz noticias contrarias a los intereses de los grupos paramilitares, guerrilleros o de narcotraficantes. Durante el ano, nueve periodistas murieron a manos de atacantes desconocidos, aunque no todos los asesinatos pudieron atribuirse directamente a su trabajo. Por ejemplo, en el 11 de abril Hernando Moreno locutor de la radio fue asesinado en casa de un amigo. Aunque no estaba trabajando para ningun medio en particular en ese momento, habia escrito algunos informes ocasionales criticando a los grupos paramilitares para el Sur Treinta Dias, periodico local de El Plato, Magdalena. Tambien el gobierno respeta la libertad academica y hubo toda una gama de actividades politicas en las universidades de todo el pais. Sin embargo, los grupos paramilitares y guerrilleros mantienen presencia en muchas universitarias. Tanto los paramilitares como la guerrilla senalaron como blancos de asesinatos politicos a profesores de las escuelas publicas de primaria y secundaria. En 1998, el

Alternatives to Simple Incarceration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Alternatives to Simple Incarceration - Essay Example Keeping such a large number of people in confinement is proving to be a financial strain on governments. Many first time offenders and people like Joe Jones who are not a threat to public safety can be safely integrated into the society under supervision. This will definitely save a lot of tax payer's money and will contribute positively to the rehabilitation of the offender. Having seen many people like Joe Jones during my tenure, I feel that it is high time for an alternative to be introduced into the system. A system can be devised which will take into consideration the public's point of view, the concerns of the government and the situation of the offender. Paramount focus should be given to public safety. For this an Electronic Monitoring Program1 can be introduced so that the offender will be under surveillance 24 hrs a day. This can be affected by fitting the offender with a tamper sensitive ankle or wrist device, which along with the telephone line will keep the authorities informed about the whereabouts of the offender. Public safety can be ensured by this step. ... Moreover this system can reduce recidivism (Joan Petersilia, Minimizing Harm as a Goal for Crime Policy in California, http://www.ucop.edu/cprc/rubin.html). One California study has shown a two third decrease in crime rates after implementing such a program. Not only should the offenders be put under surveillance, but they should be subjected to rehabilitative treatments (in the case of substance abusers), employment programs, easy access to specific types of counselling etc. They should even be encouraged to further their studies in course of the probationary period. This will definitely help in their reintroduction into society. Another advantage is that these programs will keep the offenders busy, leaving them with no or very little time to get lured back to crime. Joe Jones Joe Jones wants to make amendments for his actions and put all of this behind him. I will present him with the alternate program where he will not have to spend time in prison, but attend employment programs, offer community services etc, while having the option to further his studies. Since he wants to repay his victims, he may draft a letter to each of them, apologizing for his actions and conveying his sincere wish to repay them. I myself will have to explain to the victims the reason for Joe not spending time in prison. I will have to explain how the issue of public safety has been addressed in this program. Also how this program will benefit Joe Jones and in due course the victims themselves, when Joe will finally be able to repay them. Public awareness of the Alternative Program is very important for the success of the program. So enlightening the victims about the course of action taken against the offender is an integral part of successfully