AHC: Somebody else besides the Belgian govt takes receivership of the Congo Free State after its scandal blows up

[raharris1973]

Inspired by:

Possibly after the scandal of Leopold's rule in the Congo rather than take it over themselves the Belgium government sells it to someone else. Germany might be the most likely option as by this time Bismarck has either relaxed his opposition to extra-European colonies or been removed himself and if say the scandal occurs earlier or Wilhelm II is somewhat less destructive of German diplomacy Britain especially wouldn't probably object and Germany would have the money.

Is it plausible for another power besides the Belgian state to take receivership of the Congo Free State after the scandal over Leopold's Congo Company and its atrocities breaks and the territory is removed from Leopold and the Company's control.

For instance, what if it's removed from Leopold/the Company, but the Belgian national government determines colonial governance/responsibility is beyond its depth and responsibility, could another power like like France, Germany, Portugal, or Britain take over the entirety of the former Free State in a buy-out. [If I recall correctly, Leopold was bought out by the Belgian government, rather than faced with an outright confiscation].

Would the non-purchasing, non-acquiring powers tolerate another power receiving this mineral rich territory at the heart of Africa, without flipping out, or would they inevitably force some alternate solution like a condominium, neutralization, compensation elsewhere for themselves, or partition?

 

[WolfBear]

What about selling the Belgian Congo to France? Or perhaps splitting it between France and Germany, with France getting the west while Germany gets the east?

 

[TheRejectionist]

Sweden wanted it.

 

[WolfBear]

Sweden wanted it.

For real?

 

[TheRejectionist]

For real?

They supported Belgium's claim because they thought they couldnt get It.

 

[WolfBear]

They supported Belgium's claim because they thought they couldnt get It.

But was this in the 1880s or in 1908?

 

[raharris1973]

Something's wrong with this picture. 3 participants in the thread, but only 2 votes cast. Why would anyone be scared to cast a vote? You'd just potentially be 'wrong' in a non-falsifiable prediction at the very worst.

 

[WolfBear]

Something's wrong with this picture. 3 participants in the thread, but only 2 votes cast. Why would anyone be scared to cast a vote? You'd just potentially be 'wrong' in a non-falsifiable prediction at the very worst.

There are now 3 votes cast.

 

[TheRejectionist]

I wasn't scared. Just really tired to write something on it more. Because majority of you guys are in the US. Me I am in the Nice Country and there various TIMES differences.

 

[WolfBear]

I wasn't scared. Just really tired to write something on it more. Because majority of you guys are in the US. Me I am in the Nice Country and there various TIMES differences.

Italy?

 

[Free-Stater 101]

The U.S. given the right POD might be a possiblity as they were pretty neutral in this time frame and had no real quarrel with anybody involved.

 

[WolfBear]

The U.S. given the right POD might be a possiblity as they were pretty neutral in this time frame and had no real quarrel with anybody involved.

But the US also had a sizable anti-imperialist movement:

American Anti-Imperialist League - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Though one might wonder if US Southern segregationists might want to encourage a part of their black population to move over to the Congo in order to uplift the even more backward black Congolese.

 

[Free-Stater 101]

But the US also had a sizable anti-imperialist movement:

American Anti-Imperialist League - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

In theory, but this era almost saw the U.S. annex the Dominican Republic, did see them achieve taking the Philippines and Cuba as a satellite or protectorate and lead into the Banana wars and American intervention in Mexico at the tail end.

In other words a shrewd imperialist diplomat could present it to the public as the U.S. saving an African nation from imperialist Europeans by promising a end date for the occupation similar to OTL Philippines that would end some fifty or so years into the future after a local government is slowly elevated and made ready for being a symbol of democracy in Africa.

Though one might wonder if US Southern segregationists might want to encourage a part of their black population to move over to the Congo in order to uplift the even more backward black Congolese.

Doubtful, Liberia already existed at this point for that niche and furthermore their is no presedent for mass deporting people by force at this point interstate which would violate the constitution or otherwise.

 

[WolfBear]

In theory, but this era almost saw the U.S. annex the Dominican Republic, did see them achieve taking the Philippines and Cuba as a satellite or protectorate and lead into the Banana wars and American intervention in Mexico at the tail end.

In other words a shrewd imperialist diplomat could present it to the public as the U.S. saving an African nation from imperialist Europeans by promising a end date for the occupation similar to OTL Philippines that would end some fifty or so years into the future after a local government is slowly elevated and made ready for being a symbol of democracy in Africa.


Doubtful, Liberia already existed at this point for that niche and furthermore their is no presedent for mass deporting people by force at this point interstate which would violate the constitution or otherwise.

I was talking about this mass exodus of US blacks being completely voluntary, FWIW. Well, OK, there could be some Southern segregationist threats and intimidation, but they still won't be physically forcing most of the US black population to move. But if they could even get, say, 5% or 10% of them to move, then they could view that as an achievement worth celebrating.

And Yeah, fair point in your first two paragraphs here. I'm just worried that some Americans might think that the Congolese will never actually be ready for self-government and that thus the US will have to stay there indefinitely if it will actually purchase it.