Book

Selling the Congo : a history of European pro-empire propaganda and the making of Belgian imperialism

Stanard, Matthew G

Overview

\"Belgium was a small, neutral country without a colonial tradition when King Leopold II ceded the Congo, his personal property, to the state in 1908. For the next half-century Belgium not only ruled an African empire but also, through widespread, enduring, and eagerly embraced propaganda, produced an imperialist-minded citizenry. Selling the Congo is a study of European pro-empire propaganda in Belgium, with particular emphasis on the period 1908-60. Matthew G. Stanard questions the nature of Belgian imperialism in the Congo and considers the Belgian case in light of literature on the French, British, and other European overseas empires. Comparing Belgium to other imperial powers, the book finds that pro-empire propaganda was a basic part of European overseas expansion and administration during the modern period. Arguing against the long-held belief that Belgians were merely \"reluctant imperialists,\" Stanard demonstrates that in fact many Belgians readily embraced imperialistic propaganda. Selling the Congo contributes to our understanding of the effectiveness of twentieth-century propaganda by revealing its successes and failures in the Belgian case. Many readers familiar with more-popular histories of Belgian imperialism will find in this book a deeper examination of European involvement in central Africa during the colonial era\"-- Provided by publisher.

• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
• Subject: Public opinion Belgium History 20th century. / Propaganda, Belgian History 20th century. / POLITICAL SCIENCE / Colonialism & Post-Colonialism. / HISTORY / Africa / Central. / HISTORY / Europe / Western. / Belgium Colonies Africa Public opinion History 20th century. / Congo (Democratic Republic) Colonization. / Congo (Democratic Republic) History 1908-1960.
• ISBN: 9780803237773, 0803237774

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Call Number	Copies	Material	Location
JV2818.S73 2012	1	BOOK	AUTOSTORE