The Berlin Conference and King Leopold's African International Association

In this episode of The Berlin Conference series, Lucas and Luna explore the shadowy early machinations of King Leopold II of Belgium as he created the African International Association (AIA) and the Comité d'Études du Haut Congo. They trace how Leopold used scientific and humanitarian rhetoric to mask his territorial ambitions, secured Henry Morton Stanley as his agent, and manipulated the Berlin Conference to gain personal control of the Congo Basin through the General Act of 1885. The episode delves into the role of the AIA's 'scientific' expeditions, Leopold's diplomatic courting of Bismarck and the United States, and the critical moment when the conference recognized the International Association of the Congo as a sovereign entity. A fresh perspective not covered in prior episodes, focusing on Leopold's organizational structures and propaganda before the atrocities. #BerlinConference #KingLeopoldII #CongoFreeState #AfricanInternationalAssociation #HenryMortonStanley #ScrambleForAfrica #ComitéÉtudesHautCongo #GeneralAct1885 #LeopoldII #CongoBasin #Imperialism #ColonialHistory #19thCentury #Africa #Diplomacy #History #FexingoHistory #EuropeanHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo