“If you yield so much as an inch of the Congo, your old King will rise from his grave to blame you.” CongoLeopold IiBelgiumCongo Free StateBelgian CongoBelgian Colonial Empire Author:Leopold II
“Belgium should become the capital of the empire of Belgium, which, with the help of God, will consist of Borneo, islands in the Pacific, some places in Africa and America and also territories of China and Japan. I am the only one pursuing this for now, but by over-exposing the national fever, I will find support and create apostles.” Leopold IiBelgiumBelgian Colonial EmpireBelgian Empire Author:Leopold II
“Trading posts and colonies, gentlemen, have not only strengthened the commercial positions of the peoples concerned; these nations owe their greatness to these institutions.” ColonialismLeopold IiBelgiumBelgian ColonialismBelgian Colonial EmpireBelgian EmpireBelgian Colony Author:Leopold II
“We must ensure that it is not too clear that the Association of Congo and the African Association are two different businesses. The public doesn't understand that. It will assume that there are two phases, the first of which is no longer relevant.” CongoLeopold IiBelgiumCongo Free StateBelgian CongoLeopold Ii Of BelgiumBelgian ColonialismBelgian Colonial Empire Author:Leopold II
“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.” CongoLeopold IiBelgiumCongo Free StateBelgian CongoBelgian ColonialismBelgian Colonial EmpireLeopold Ii Ofbelgium Author:Leopold II