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Leopold II Biography

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“In accordance with my duty, I do not pursue any selfish goal. The only favor I ask is to continue to put all my personal earnings to good use in the expansion of our foreign interests. [...] What I have sought in Africa, what I shall find more and more if people follow me, that, together with the progress of civilization, is work for our industrial firms and consequently for their numerous employees.”

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Author:Leopold II
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“Even more than other nations, a country of craftsmen and traders must make an effort to secure export territories. That patriotic concern has dominated my life and has been instrumental in the creation of the African enterprise. My efforts have not proved fruitless: a young and great state, governed from Brussels, has seen the light of day peacefully. [...] Its administration is in the hands of Belgians, while other compatriots in increasing numbers make their capital bear fruit there.”

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“I will instruct the minister of war to strengthen the Gendarmerie in Brussels, to recognize the addresses and customs of the demagogues and to try to find out what is coming up, I am told that the demonstrations which are only intended as intimidation and as preparation in an unguarded moment are able to turn into something else, once they have everyone on the street they will attack the government, what measure have you taken to face such a surprise attack? Do the regiments have been ordered to march on their own accord to the Rue de la Loi and the Boulvard, where in the summer it is more difficult to summon soldiers, will they be more satisfied now, working in the open air is now impossible, if I were you I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to summon them, the responsibility is too great, you are not protected from an incident, and you will have to face a formidable riot, all yours.”

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Author:Leopold II
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“Dear Minister, I particularly regret that the government, as I had expressly requested, did not make the royal referendum a sine qua non, three points in the program concern the crown directly, the possibility of expanding the territory, the referendum and the princely marriages, I would have liked to see this matter implemented, we have been clear about this during our discussions, we have taken a very moderate attitude with this at a time when the most democratic constitution in Europe is being even more democratized, a constitution drawn up during a revolution, and at a time when there was no monarch, your devotee, etc.”

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“These expeditions respond to an extraordinarily civilizing Christian idea: to abolish slavery in Africa, to dispel the darkness that still reigns in part of the world, to get to know the resources that seem gigantic, in short, pouring out the treasures of civilization, that's it. purpose of this modern crusade worthy of our era.”

ExplorationCongoLeopold IiBelgiumCongo Free StateLeopold Ii Of BelgiumHenry Morton StanleyScramble For AfricaEuropean ExpansionLivingstone
Author:Leopold II
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“It is not about Belgian colonies. It is about establishing a new state that is as large as possible and about its governance. It should be clear that in this project there can be no question of granting the Negroes the slightest form of political power. That would be ridiculous. The whites, who lead the posts, have all the power.”

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“Het is vooral van belang dat wij ons aandeel bekomen in de exploitatie van denieuwe en groote Chinesen markt. Geen beter middel, voorzeker , om ons in deze verre landen te doen kennen en ze zelf te leeren kennen, dan een nijverheids-en handelsgezantschap te sturen bij de hoven van Yedo en Peking, ten einde de keizers om hunne vriendschap te vragen en hun stalen aan te bieden van onze producten, als daar zijn : Kanonnen, krijgs-en prachtwapens, stoffen, tapijten, lakens, weefsels, garen, linnen, kant, meubelen, messen, spiegels, vensterglazen, rijtuigen, modellen van machines, stalen van ijzer, zink, kolen enz. enz.”

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Author:Leopold II
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“Van nu af moeten wij onze markten zoo talrijk maken als mogelijk is. Geen ander middel bestaat er tot het bezweren dier nijverheidserisissen, waarvan de noodlottige gevolgen zich zouden doen gevoelen naar gelang van de ontwikkeling der aangetaste gedeelten. Wij moeten ook onzen handel aanwakkeren en den Belgischen voortbrenger in staat stellen langs Belgische wegen te vervoeren en bij Belgen te consigneeren, de goederen, waarvan de verzending naar verre landen weldra, naar ik verhoop, belangrijker zal worden,dank aan ons volmaakt werk en aan onze gematigde prijzen.”

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Author:Leopold II
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“Thans is onze uitvoer bijna uitsluitend toevertrouwd aan vreemde handen. Men dient na te gaan, waarom het zoo is, en de middelen te zoeken om het geld, dat wij aan commissionarissen van Havre, Hamburg, Rotterdam of Londen geven, door Belgen te laten winnen en voor ons land te behouden. Ook dient men, zooals ik zegde, aanzienlijk te vermeerderen het bedrag onzer plaatsingen in den vreemde en deze zouden, naar het gevoelen onzer consuls, vertiendubbeld kunnen worden.”

Leopold IiBelgiëHandelVlaamsVlaamschKamer Van Koophandel
Author:Leopold II
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