Henry Morton Stanley-Gretchen F. by Gretchen Foley

Henry Morton Stanley

860549 — 2025-04-22 15:40:08 UTC

Henry Morton Stanley was an explorer, journalist, soldier, and criminal. He is known for his exploration of Central Africa. He played a big role in the colonization of the Congo and the exploitation of their people.

Argument

860549 — 2025-04-22 15:40:20 UTC

Henry Morton Stanley is responsible for the death of around 10 million people in the Congo because of his overseeing of the inhumane actions. Stanley was the one to convince unaware Congolese people to sign away their land and people, so he could force them to work. After this he was the one in the Congo directly supporting the abuse and murder that was happening. Plus King Leopold didn't ever step into the Congo so he didn't know exactly what was happening. However Henry M Stanley knew exactly what was occurring in the Congo, still let it happen and stood with those actions. Stanley's only motive was glory and fame, putting aside even his own exploration groups lives, not to mention the Congolese people. Plus while this was happening he was still there taking photos with the people to be called a hard worker.

Evidence 1

860549 — 2025-04-22 15:40:29 UTC

According to the Suspect Profiles it states, "You stood by and allowed European soldiers and leaders to abuse and treat Congolese workers with extreme cruelty. You were even given credit for being a hard worker."

Evidence 2

860549 — 2025-04-22 15:40:34 UTC

As it states in the Suspect Profiles, " You were the one who negotiated the treaties with the Congolese, you were the one who made the maps for the traders who stole the resources"

Reasoning 1

860549 — 2025-04-22 15:41:05 UTC

This shows that while Henry M Stanley was in the Congo he encouraged the treatment that was happening. This proves that Stanley knew exactly what he was doing and still followed through. Further Stanley still posed as a good person and someone that worked with the Congolese. This action makes what Stanley did even more cruel, due to him not acknowledging his actions.

Reasoning 2

860549 — 2025-04-22 15:41:11 UTC

This demonstrates that Henry M Stanley took advantage of the Congo people and their land. Stanley's main goal for this was to steal the land and exploit the Congolese people. He only focused on rubber production and glory for himself. These treaties being introduced by Stanley makes him the origin of all the exploitation. Further the language barrier made Stanley be able to take advantage of the Congo and capitalize on their resources. Additionally he was the one who told and allowed people to steal their land assets. As a result of him essentially stealing their land, and introducing the idea to exploit them, he was the one responsible for the deaths that happened after.

Reasoning 3

860549 — 2025-04-22 15:41:17 UTC

This establishes that Henry M Stanley only valued people based on what they could do for him. Stanley also believed he, as a white man was better than any African people in the Congo. He only followed through on these murders because they were black. Because of the unrealistic orders that he gave to the Congolese people, and the barbaric punishments that he gave them, many people died. This demonstrates that Stanley was both a racist and a murderer.

Evidence 3

860549 — 2025-04-22 15:54:18 UTC

In the Suspect Profiles it states, " From the very beginning of your time in Africa, you kidnapped and abused African tribesmen. You did this because you thought that you were better than them. When they refused to take your mistreatment, you beat them, worked them to death, or outright killed them."

860549 — 2025-04-23 16:08:42 UTC

860549 — 2025-04-23 20:28:13 UTC