Thread by @gerthuskens, Forgotten histories of Belgian imperialism.During the 19th century, Belgian imperialism did not [...]

Forgotten histories of Belgian imperialism.

During the 19th century, Belgian imperialism did not only affect the Congo, a whole list of other countries were seen as potential colonies. I'll share a feature story daily.

Day 1: GUINEA

1/20

P-J Claeys, Battle of Boké, 1859.

Forgotten histories of Belgian imperialism.During the 19th century, Belgian imperialism did not only affect the Congo, a whole list of other countries were seen as potential colonies. I'll share a feature story daily. Day 1: GUINEA 1/20P-J Claeys, Battle of Boké, 1859.

Following the failed experiment in Guatemala, Leopold I turned his attention towards the African continent. Already in the early years of Belgian independence, traders such as Pierre Vincent and Valcke Deknuyt traded in peanut oil. 2/20

Map of Guinea

Following the failed experiment in Guatemala, Leopold I turned his attention towards the African continent. Already in the early years of Belgian independence, traders such as Pierre Vincent and Valcke Deknuyt traded in peanut oil. 2/20Map of Guinea

Things accelerated in 1845 when captain Frederick Knudsen traded for the business of the Antwerp merchant Henri Serigiers. During one of Serigiers' trips to the area, local king Ali Manso of Sombia proposed to the Belgian king to install a colony on his lands. 3/20

Leopold I did not response to this offer, but In the meantime, a Belgian mission led by Joseph Van Haverbeke was prepared to set sail for the area surround the Rio Nunez in the north of the country. 4/20

Joseph Van Haverbeke (via http://www.marinebelge.be/louise-marie%201.html)

Leopold I did not response to this offer, but In the meantime, a Belgian mission led by Joseph Van Haverbeke was prepared to set sail for the area surround the Rio Nunez in the north of the country. 4/20Joseph Van Haverbeke (via http://www.marinebelge.be/louise-marie%201.html)

On March 4, 1848 an agreement was reached with the leaders of the theocratic Imamate of Futa Jallon. Belgium got full sovereignty over both banks of the Rio Nunez, between the marigot of Rapass and the marigot of Victoria. 5/20

Rio Nunez estuarium.

On March 4, 1848 an agreement was reached with the leaders of the theocratic Imamate of Futa Jallon. Belgium got full sovereignty over both banks of the Rio Nunez, between the marigot of Rapass and the marigot of Victoria. 5/20 Rio Nunez estuarium.

The Belgian had to pay on their turn a yearly sum of 1000 Spanish dollars (40 S$ = 1EUR/) and a tax was imposed on everything they traded. Moreover, Belgium had to defend the Nalu (the people, not the energy drink

). 6/20

Belgium was on the brink of acquiring a stronghold in West-Africa to great satisfaction of minister of Foreign Affairs d'Hoffschmidt. The treaty only had to be ratified by the Belgian parliament but the minister did not want to waste time. 7/20

Constant-Ernest d'Hoffschmidt

Belgium was on the brink of acquiring a stronghold in West-Africa to great satisfaction of minister of Foreign Affairs d'Hoffschmidt. The treaty only had to be ratified by the Belgian parliament but the minister did not want to waste time. 7/20Constant-Ernest d'Hoffschmidt

Instead of a parliamentary ratification, Leopold I used his royal prerogatives signing a royal decree ratifying the treaty. Van Haverbeke was instructed to make a second trip to the Rio Nunez. 8/20

Belgian Chamber of Representatives debate about Rio Nunez, 10 March 1852, 803.

Instead of a parliamentary ratification, Leopold I used his royal prerogatives signing a royal decree ratifying the treaty. Van Haverbeke was instructed to make a second trip to the Rio Nunez. 8/20Belgian Chamber of Representatives debate about Rio Nunez, 10 March 1852, 803.

The ethnic-dynastic tensions in the area, especially between the Landaman and the Nalu would complicate things. Possibly, Lamina, king of the Nalu, used the cession as an instrument to destabilise the power of his enemies and counter of French traders. 9/20

King Lamina

The ethnic-dynastic tensions in the area, especially between the Landaman and the Nalu would complicate things. Possibly, Lamina, king of the Nalu, used the cession as an instrument to destabilise the power of his enemies and counter of French traders. 9/20King Lamina

Van Haverbeke also had a second mission to complete. d'Hoffschmidt had instructed he also had to acquire the lands of the Landaman of king Mayoré. This king however was already negotiating with British traders to install a post in Boké. 10/20

Because of Mayoré preference for the British over the French-Senegalese traders, the latter were abducted by the Landaman king. The French asked van Haverbeke to assist them since he commanded a war-ready Louise Marie. 11/20

The Louise Marie (via http://www.marinebelge.be/louise-marie%201.html

Because of Mayoré preference for the British over the French-Senegalese traders, the latter were abducted by the Landaman king. The French asked van Haverbeke to assist them since he commanded a war-ready Louise Marie. 11/20The Louise Marie (via http://www.marinebelge.be/louise-marie%201.html

Despite attempts of the Belgians and French to avoid a military intervention, the Belgian-French coalition decided to intervene on the March 24, 1849. The cannons of the Louise Marie were put on to smaller ships, the Emma and the Dorade, since they could sail upstream. 12/20

Following a bombardement, the house of king Mayoré was set on fire and he had to flee his stronghold Boké. French and Belgian marines subsequently entered the city, destroying all military equipment, buildings and the two factories of the British traders. 13/20

Despite the loss of some Belgians which were shot at by the Landum from the river banks, the ships were able to return back to high sea. Paul-Jean Claeys made this painting of the 'Battle of Boké' in 1859. 14/20

Paul-Jean Claeys, Battle of Boké, 1859.

Despite the loss of some Belgians which were shot at by the Landum from the river banks, the ships were able to return back to high sea. Paul-Jean Claeys made this painting of the 'Battle of Boké' in 1859. 14/20Paul-Jean Claeys, Battle of Boké, 1859.

In the years to follow a Belgian ship was sent to Rio Nunez in order to show the flag and retain the sovereignty claims. 15/20

Franco-Belgian trading post of French slave trader
John Nelson Bicaise. L. Leconte, Les Ancêtres de Notre Force Navale. Brussels, 1952.

In the years to follow a Belgian ship was sent to Rio Nunez in order to show the flag and retain the sovereignty claims. 15/20Franco-Belgian trading post of French slave trader John Nelson Bicaise. L. Leconte, Les Ancêtres de Notre Force Navale. Brussels, 1952.

However, Belgian trade with the region declined and in 1855 the treaty on the Rio Nunez colony was revoked. 16/20

So what do we have to remember of the Belgian colony along the Rio Nunez river in Guinea. 1) This was the first Belgian colonisation attempt in sub-Saharan Africa. 2) The Battle at Boké was the first Belgian military intervention after it gained its independence. 17/20

3) The Battle at Boké was an international diplomatic conflict which stirred the relations between Belgium and France at the one side and the British empire on the other side. This could have ended far worse, but Leopold I used his diplomatic contacts most aptly. 18/20

4) Belgium still lacked the scientific instruments (cartography, medicine, etc.) to maintain a sustainable colony. 5) Belgium instrumentalised local feuds in order to pursue their own colonial interests 19/20

This thread relies heavily on Robert Raymond Ansiaux, Early Belgian colonial efforts: the long and fateful shadow of Leopold I, PhD thesis, The University of Texas, 2006. 20/20

http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.631.229&rep=rep1&type=pdf

PS: this is a repost of the threads I made for @Belgiumers, but you don't mind I'm recycling them, do you?

Latest Threads Unrolled: