About this episode
As the evidence of atrocities in the Congo Free State became impossible to ignore, direct African resistance developed in numerous places around the Congo. As this was happening, a large and sophisticated human rights campaign developed around some courageous informants, journalists, and human rights activists. King Leopold II of Belgium then developed a response in one of the first modern versions of an information/misinformation shadow war in the age of mass media. This episode is Part 5 in a series on the Belgium Congo. It discusses African Resistance to the Congo Free State, E.D. Morel's media campaign to end the atrocities in the Congo, other informants like Roger Casement, King Leopold's response to the accusations, the role of media in shaping perceptions in Belgium, the most successful feat of pimpery of all time, and why much of this seems very modern. Future episodes will cover the end of the Congo Free State and it's ultimate legacy. -Consider Supporting the Podcast!- Leave a rating or review on apple podcasts or spotify! Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/reflectinghistory Check out my podcast series on Aftersun, Piranesi, Arcane, The Dark Knight Trilogy, and Nazi Germany and the Battle for the Human Heart here: https://www.reflectinghistory.com/bonuscontent Try my podcast series "Nazi Germany and the Battle for the Human Heart"-- What led to the rise of Nazi Germany? The answer may surprise you…Why do 'good' people support evil leaders? What allure does fascism hold that enables it to garner popular support? To what extent are ordinary people responsible for the development of authoritarian evil? This 13 part podcast series explores these massive questions and more through the lens of Nazi Germany and the ordinary people who collaborated or resisted as the Third Reich expanded. You'll not only learn about the horrifying, surprising, and powerful ways in which the Nazis seized and maintained power, but also fundamental lessons about what fascism is-how to spot it and why it spreads. Through exploring the past, I hope to unlock lessons that everyone can apply to the present day. Check it out on my Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/reflectinghistory.