a history of European pro-empire propaganda and the making of Belgian imperialism Stanard, Matthew G. creator ebrary, Inc text bibliography Electronic books. nbu Lincoln [Neb.] University of Nebraska Press c2011 2011 monographic eng

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xiv, 387 p. : ill. "Belgium was a small, neutral country without a colonial tradition when King Leopold II ceded the Congo, his personal property, to the state in 1908. For the next half-century Belgium not only ruled an African empire but also, through widespread, enduring, and eagerly embraced propaganda, produced an imperialist-minded citizenry. Selling the Congo is a study of European pro-empire propaganda in Belgium, with particular emphasis on the period 1908-60. Matthew G. Stanard questions the nature of Belgian imperialism in the Congo and considers the Belgian case in light of literature on the French, British, and other European overseas empires. Comparing Belgium to other imperial powers, the book finds that pro-empire propaganda was a basic part of European overseas expansion and administration during the modern period. Arguing against the long-held belief that Belgians were merely "reluctant imperialists," Stanard demonstrates that in fact many Belgians readily embraced imperialistic propaganda. Selling the Congo contributes to our understanding of the effectiveness of twentieth-century propaganda by revealing its successes and failures in the Belgian case. Many readers familiar with more-popular histories of Belgian imperialism will find in this book a deeper examination of European involvement in central Africa during the colonial era"-- Matthew G. Stanard. Includes bibliographical references (p. [333]-378) and index. Electronic reproduction. Palo Alto, Calif. : ebrary, 2011. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ebrary affiliated libraries. e-be--- f------ f-cg--- Public opinion Belgium History 20th century Propaganda, Belgian History 20th century Belgium Colonies Africa Public opinion History 20th century Congo (Democratic Republic) Colonization Congo (Democratic Republic) History 1908-1960 JV2818 .S73 2011eb 325/.3493096751 http://site.ebrary.com/lib/rucke/Doc?id=10559300 http://site.ebrary.com/lib/rucke/Doc?id=10559300 CaPaEBR 110610 ebr10559300