“I learned that, most appropriately, the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs had intrusted him with the making of a report” (49).
The International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs is what Conrad renamed the Berlin Conference in his novel. The conference, taking place in 1884, was designed to divide Africa among the countries of Europe. It also regulated trading to and from Africa during the Imperialism period. Part of the Congo Basin was given to the Belgian King Leopold II, whose savage ruling caused half the population to die during his reign, leading Conrad to naming the conference the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs.
Works Cited: Rosenberg, Matt. "Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 to Divide Africa." About.com. 26 Aug. 2008 http://geography.about.com/cs/politicalgeog/a/berlinconferenc.htm
Photo Credit: http://www.brazza.culture.fr/img/missions/iconos/conference_berlin/al_conf_berlin_99_1.jpg
very well done
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