why did leopold want to defeat the swahili traders in the eastern areas?
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0857522.html
To understand why Leopold II wanted to defeat the Swahili traders in the eastern areas, we need to look at the historical context of the time. Leopold II was the King of Belgium and ruled during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He had a strong interest in colonial expansion and sought to establish a Belgian empire in Africa.
During this period, European powers were competing for control over African territories to exploit their resources and establish trade networks. The Swahili traders were a significant economic force in the eastern areas of Africa, particularly along the Indian Ocean coast. They were involved in the lucrative trade of ivory, spices, and slaves.
Leopold II wanted to defeat the Swahili traders for several reasons:
1. Economic Interests: By defeating the Swahili traders, Leopold II would gain control over the valuable trade routes and resources in the region. This would allow him to establish a monopoly over the trade and enrich Belgium.
2. Colonial Expansion: Leopold II aimed to increase Belgium's colonial holdings and establish its presence in Africa. Defeating the Swahili traders would be a step towards achieving this goal and expanding Belgian influence in the region.
3. Humanitarian Pretext: Leopold II also exploited the global anti-slavery sentiment of the time to justify his actions. He claimed that he was acting to end the Arab slave trade that the Swahili traders were involved in. This allowed him to portray himself as a humanitarian, disguising his true motivations for economic and colonial gains.
It is important to note that Leopold II's actions in Congo, where he established the Congo Free State, were marked by severe human rights abuses, including forced labor, violence, and exploitation. His motivations for defeating the Swahili traders were primarily driven by economic and colonial interests, rather than genuine concern for humanitarian issues.