Heart of Darkness, Essay Example

In economic there are three factors of production land, labor and capital. European imperialism was driven by several factors. When it comes to Africa the first factor of production during the first imperialism that was needed was labor. This was taken in the form of slavery.(Likaka 2) The second factor of production that was needed was land this came in the form of colonization. The first factor of production was driven by mercantilism which was a zero sum game. It saw that a gain by one meant a loss by another. Mercantilism as an economic system was fuelling the growth of colonies and the ever and unending need to acquire silver and gold it was simply a form of raw bullionism. The more gold you had the richer you were.(Porter, 96)

The industrial revolution that had occurred and the massive increase in population meant that ever greater raw materials were needed to sustain the mechanization of Europe. . (Porter, 6)

New imperialism was undoubtedly one of the most irrational and aggressive endeavors of a people in human history. It was also one of the most destructive in terms of loss on every level of knowledge and human advancement. This irrationality came from a belief that was spawned in the 16^th century of European superiority over other peoples. It was solidified by highly dubious science of social Darwinism.(ward, 710) The motivations of the European leaders were more complex than simply civilizing the African. Although in a lot of ways anthropology has shown that this endeavor in itself was flawed notion. What civilized is and is not is a very fluid concept indeed for technology doesn’t make one really civilized the two world wars is proof of that.

There was severing deflation combine with the long depression of 1873 brought social and political upheavals. European leader were in trouble at home due to high unemployment and a depression. With the population explosion came a cacophony of pressure on both the political and social systems of Europe. .(Porter, 123) Technological changes combine with the zero sum game nature of trade and policies had forced European leaders to require ever growing amount of raw materials. There was also the loss of comparative advantage by Britain and too many states producing the same things. The constant wars between the states had the increasing technology in war made Europe thirsty for raw materials they did not have. The increasing populations and colonies needed funding to keep it going. The colonies in unto themselves were not profitable. Production had to be matched with consumption. The new imperialism was born out of the need to deal with the population explosion as well as a need to support their manufactured goods abroad and factories at home. They also needed new markets for their goods.(Porter, 96)The solution was to sell an Idea. This is where social Darwinism, Eugenics, scientific racism, Christianity meets with Conrad imperialism in the darkness of Africa. This is when the industrialist replaced the merchant. This when colonies were to be developed into viable destinations for factory made products. In order for the ‘natives’ could appreciate these products. There was a need to civilize and Christianize them. They were to be brought the benefits of civilization. This idea is brought out by Conrad.

“The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much. What redeems it is the idea only. An idea at the back of it; not a sentimental presence but an idea; and an unselfish belief [sic].”(Conrade, 6-7)

King Leopold had acquired the Congo as his own personal property. In the letter was part of his pretention. In his book term native is quite derogatory as it linguistically means a pre-technological, pre-logical, pre-rational being not accorded the status of being human. In Conrad’s book he states that “What saves us is efficiency the devotion to efficiency.” (Conrad 8) The Congo being a private property was not helped by the state with grants and the like. Leopold claimed he in the Brussels conference of 1890 he needed to exercise duty. His reason was to suppress Arab slave the reality was far from this. (Likaka, 89)The concession companies combined with a labor tax turned the whole population into slaves. Though Conrad doesn’t refer to Leopold but the company he is ultimately referring to the king. The hut tax was another of the cruelties visited upon the Africans. This forced them to seek money and become wage slaves. This forced them and was the company intention to turn them into consumers.(Likaka, 45)

The system in Congo had several disadvantages to the Europeans. At the most basic level there was no stable currency and barter trade flourished which is highly inefficient. The handling of cargo was also problematic.

“This is an expensive and damaging system, since freight often remains exposed to the weather at Boma for weeks, there being no shelter; and the handling of it twice results in great breakage.”(Conrad 50)

The taxes as well on the companies including the English ones were up to 50% which made trade very prohibitive in terms of cost. (Likaka, 67) By judging imperialism on the criteria of the Idea and the belief in efficiency Conrad sort to criticize it without impugning his readers or himself and as stated the taxes and the lack of currency would have appealed to his audience. It was not just morally offensive but also materially. When this is put in juxtaposition with what imperialism was meant to be with a lot of talk of sane imperialism or national efficiency.

Conrade recognizes their humanity even though he refers to them as niggers and savages. He was after all using the language of his time. Something the Europeans leaders had rejected the humanity of the African from the onset. He was unusual in that he opposed in the interference of the cultures of the Africans. On the materially intent objective of imperialism comrade is completely opposed to it. The most telling moment of his empathy is when Marlow’s helmsman in the book dies he says “savage who was no more than a grain of sand in a black Sahara.” (Comrade, 22)His sorrow shows one thing about us all, “He speaks to our capacity for delight and wonder, to that sense of mystery surrounding our lives; to our sense of pity, and beauty, and pain; to the latent feeling of fellowship with all creation–and to the subtle but invincible conviction of solidarity that knits together the loneliness of innumerable hearts.”(Conrad, iii)

In conclusion the views of the leader were different from comrade. For the leaders they were motivated by politics economics and social reasons. While comrade attacked imperialism the only way he knew how by attack the practice of the idea. Though the terms used in the book like savage are out dated the themes are not for the same things still plagued humanity today. The scramble for resources still goes on the Iraq war is a prime example.

Bibliography

Ward, Lester F “Social Darwinism“. American Journal of Sociology. New York: Verso 1907 Print 12: 709–10.

Porter, B. The Lion’s Share: “A Short History of British Imperialism” 1850-1995: London: Longman 1996 Print

Likaka, Osumaka, “Naming Colonialism, History and Collective Memory in the Congo, 1870–1960,” 2009 Madison: University of Wisconsin Press,

Conrad, Joseph. “Heart of Darkness & Other Stories”. Wordsworth Editions Ltd. Print 1998