Colonialism tends to arouse emotional debate, often based on incomplete knowledge of the facts and context. Colonial Congo fills this gap by introducing the general reader to the latest academic thinking and research. Answering concrete questions, pre-eminent historians offer a unique insight into the history of the Congo Free State and the Belgian Congo.

How did Leopold II’s autocratic government function and what do we know about the victims of his rule? How much profit was made in the Congo and who benefitted the most? What was life like for Congolese men and women during colonial rule and how did they feel about it? Did the Congolese offer resistance, and in what ways? What was colonialism’s impact on the Congo’s natural world? How did colonial policy affect infrastructure, education, healthcare and science? Did missionaries give colonialism a more human face? Colonial Congo’s explorations of these issues and more are revealed in this eye-opening, indispensable guide.

With contributions by Frans Buelens, Bas De Roo, Marc Depaepe, Donatien Dibwe dia Mwembu, Mathieu Zana Etambala, Emmanuel Gerard, Idesbald Goddeeris, Didier Gondola, Benoît Henriet, Johan Lagae, Maarten Langhendries, Amandine Lauro, Annette Lembagusala Kikumbi, Ruben Mantels, Michael Meeuwis, Pedro Monaville, Jean-Marie K. Mutamba Makombo, Isidore Ndaywel è Nziem, Jean Omasombo Tshonda, Violette Pouillard, Jacob Sabakinu Kivilu, Jean-Paul Sanderson, Yves Segers, Julia Seibert, Matthew G. Stanard, Daniel Tödt, Sarah Van Beurden, Leen Van Molle, Reinout Vander Hulst, Guy Vanthemsche, and Georgi Verbeeck.