Compare and contrast the activities of King Leopold II of Belgium and De Brazza in the Congo region.

The question requires that candidates give an account of the similarities and differences between the activities of King Leopold II of Belgium and De Brazza in the Congo region, referring to both throughout. There does not need to be an equal number of each. Candidates may refer to the ways in which both were motivated by annexationist ambition in the Congo. Both had economic motives and were inspired by the prospect of material gain: for personal profit in Leopold’s case and for France in the case of De Brazza. Both De Brazza and Stanley, who was Leopold’s agent, competed to sign treaties with African rulers: the “race” to Makoko was won by De Brazza. Candidates may point to the brutal and rapacious nature of Leopold’s rule, in contrast to De Brazza who was viewed as a benevolent administrator. They may also note that Leopold used agents while De Brazza was himself an explorer. De Brazza served as Governor-General of the French Congo while Leopold presided over the Congo Free State, a sort of personal colonial fiefdom. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.