Module Three: Nineteenth Century Imperialism Explained? Technology, Terror, and Greed

Module Three of this course has focused mainly on The Scramble for Africa. We also saw how the advancement of technology (such as steamboats and breech loading rifles) and personal greed fueled European colonialism throughout the nineteenth century. However, these territorial acquisitions did not occur overnight. It took years of patience to turn public opinion in favor of European conquest and rule in Africa.

King Leopold of Belgium was always ambitious for colonies. He watched other European powers such as Britain and France amass fortunes in their overseas establishments in Africa. He learned how “the coffee, sugar, indigo, and tobacco plantations of Java, whose profits had paid for railroads and canals back in Holland (Hochschild, 37).” Leopold eventually decided that the Congo would yield him the most profits. His master plan began to unfold when he gained recognition from the United States for his “great work of civilization (Hochschild, 77)” in 1884. He claimed that his intentions were “curbing the slave trade, moral uplift, and the advancement of science (Hochschild, 42).” However, other European powers and the United States soon realized the true intentions of King Leopold. Reports of widespread disease, famine, forced labor and the severing of workers’ hands surfaced. Thus, Belgium annexed the Congo and seized control from King Leopold, ending his reign of terror.

The Belgian Congo under King Leopold is known today as “The Forgotten Genocide.” Many Belgians today are unaware of the atrocities that occurred there. This is because popular culture such as TinTin in the Congo by Herge portrays a completely different and controversial image of Belgians and their involvement in the Congo. There are many instances in the comic where Congolese people are portrayed in traditional stereotypes and the white man is doing a good for their society. These instances will be analyzed further in detail.

Many people would think that Snowy was frightened because he saw a sharp blade. However, I think Snowy panics and jumps off the stretcher because he thought a black man was his surgeon. When TinTin explains that the black man was simply the was the ship’s carpenter and the real surgeon was a white man, he calms down and allows the operation to continue. The message being conveyed to readers is that they have every reason to be worried for their well-being whenever they are near a black person.

Shortly after TinTin and Snowy arrive in Africa, the Congolese people gave them a warm welcome. This is not an accurate depiction of what happened back then. European powers who arrived in Africa often used deadly force against the local population if their demands were not met. Lord Kitchener’s invasion of Sudan in 1898 involved “six heavily armed steamers and four other boats. His army had forty-four pieces of artillery and twenty Maxims (Headrick, 259).” The Dervish army consisted of 40,000 men. “The battle was over within a few hours: 11,000 Dervishes and forty-eight British soldiers lay dead (Headrick, 259).” It is highly unlikely the local Congolese population would greet colonialists the same way that is portrayed in the snippet above.

TinTin finds a local boy, Coco, as his guide and assistant. Throughout the comic, Coco repeatedly refers to TinTin as “mister.” Herges creates the concept that Europeans are culturally and mentally superior to Africans, and that they are expected to be obedient to them.

When the stowaway steals TinTin’s car, Coco is seen crying and apologizing. He is also expecting TinTin to beat him for his mistake. This is an accurate depiction of what happened in the Belgian Congo under King Leopold’s rule. Belgians working for Leopold in the Congo severed the hands of Congolese who failed to meet rubber collection quotas. Other methods included taking family members hostage. In addition, Snowy, a white dog, is shown speaking in proper English, while Coco is shown speaking in “broken” and improper English. This is a degrading depiction because a dog can speak better English than an African.

TinTin drives across a railroad track and collides with a train. TinTin and the Africans agree to work together to fix the mess. Snowy, a white dog, is working harder than the Africans. It is interesting to note that the Congolese are being depicted as lazy and whiners.

Throughout the comic, TinTin and Snowy encounter many dangerous animals. Once again, Snowy, a white dog, is the capable one who is brave enough to fight and defeat the lion. In this case, Africans are depicted as cowards and incapable of accomplishing anything.

When TinTin and Snowy arrive at the mission, they are greeted by the father. He shows TinTin the establishments they’ve built, such as hospitals, farms and schools. This is not an accurate depiction because Europeans never developed or invested in the local population. Their main goal was to maximize profits for the motherland. “Little was actually invested in Africa, and European capitalists found many other places in which to invest, at home, in other countries, and in older colonies (Burbank & Cooper, 313-314).” “Colonial governments spent little on education (Burbank & Cooper, 317).” The father also mentions a chapel. This shows how the Belgians tried to advance their agenda and maintain control through religion.

In the end of the comic, TinTin and Snowy leave the Congo on a positive note. It shows a Congolese man bowing before a statue of TinTin and Snowy. All the other villagers are also talking about the “great” TinTin. Even the dogs are talking about the “great” Snowy. This is an extremely inaccurate depiction of what happened. European arrival in Africa yielded no positive results for the continent. In fact, the reason why Africa is still underdeveloped today is because of the Scramble of Africa.

I think the comic should not be banned nor taken out of circulation. However, it should only be for older readers. Although the comic is extremely racist and derogatory, it is an important part of Belgian culture and should be left untouched. There is also Freedom of Speech, and everyone has the right to express their opinions. However, historians and the Belgian public should acknowledge history and accept the facts.