"Object of Plunder: The Congo through the Centuries" by Adam Hochschild

Lecture by Adam Hochschild, University of California, Berkeley
March 16, 2014
Getty Center
Journalist, historian, and author of "King Leopold's Ghost" Adam Hochschild (UC Berkeley) traces the history of the Congo as it emerges from photographs, cartoons, posters, and documents. He details the 19th-century colonial exploration and exploitation of the Congo under the infamous King Leopold II of Belgium and discusses the repercussions of his regime.
For more about this event, visit the Getty Research Institute's website: www.getty.edu/research/exhibit...
This lecture series complements the exhibition "Connecting Seas: A Visual History of Discoveries and Encounters," on view in the Getty Research Institute galleries from December 7, 2013, to April 13, 2014. www.getty.edu/research/exhibit...

[@elikyaa]

Regardless of everything, I do think that we will achieve peace and prosper. We are 80 million people. If we unite, we could definitely bring change. Thank you Hochschild for bringing attention to this.

[@queenestherc-squared802]

Hopefully we will unite ASAP! I'm tired of al the ongoing jazz

[@dukecraig2402]

80 million people will never agree on everything, all you need is people willing to pit people against each other over those things that can't be agreed upon and there you go, the world as we know it.

[@stevrgrs]

Why does any of this really matter? It’s all a story whether it’s real or not. Find peace in yourself and be kind to others. Forget past wrongs and live in the present. That’s the best advice any of us can live by :)

[@ehitaredestiny3146]

@@stevrgrsbut your people can not forget the little holocaust done by Hitler? Can you see the hypocrisy in your statement??

[@timypaul]

Greed, jealousy engendering war and plunder over and over in many decades, us Congolese are scattered around the world in search of a better life while if the world was not this unfair we would thrive in the Congo and make it a super power with all of the natural resources. Ore, cobalt, uranium, diamond you name it we have it. Lachrymosity is all that is left in our hearts.

[@monakw]

I'm in the middle of ANOTHER reading of Joseph Conrad ~ Heart of Darkness.I'm looking forward to listening to this lecture..thanks for posting it.

[@giovanameireles4576]

wonderful, amazing

[@victormpapuluu6497]

In kiswahili we have a saying",siku ya nyani kufa, miti Zote huteleza."(in the day of death of the monkey all the trees are slippery.) Nothing unjust lasts for eternity. Only just work will last for eternity.

[@lokeshthebeast]

The Congolese women speaking up is so heartbreaking. Thank you for a such a powerful presentation

[@tayomcnulty7017]

Does anyone know if there is a transcript of this lecture available?

[@tendressemessa1873]

Did he just say the Congo River was the 2nd largest in the world? He must of been nervous - Loved the presentation!

[@unguja64]

Yeah, I scratched my head also. But, yes, he's correct. Its the 2nd largest - after the Amazon, in terms of "volume of water carried" - not length.

[@patrickandries7412]

He tends to be very loose with facts.

[@dukecraig2402]

​@@patrickandries7412 Yep, like saying the colonizers of King Leopold had machineguns, they did not, they hadn't been developed yet in the mid 1800's when this was going on, they weren't perfected and in use until just after 1900 and even then the early one's were heavy, cumbersome liquid cooled devices fired from a tripod that were only used on established battlefields and wouldn't have been carried by Europeans slogging through the jungle, true man portable machineguns weren't developed until WW1 and even then only saw limited use towards the end.

[@blindsheep6180]

Remember Roger casement who did his best to expose the horrors of King leopold. An Irishman who fought man's worst voices around the world eventually sacrifing his life for Irish freedom when he was executed by colonial Britain. Free Congo now from western European & US exploitation which is still occurring today not through nation States but private corporations.

[@monakw]

Very moving near the end when a woman from the Congo speaks...tho a bit disappointed by an almost nifty, shifty reply from the speaker ..YES WHY NOT PEACE IN THE CONGO!?

[@Z95HeadHunter]

watched this in class after reading the book 'Things Fall Apart' which I highly recommend, it's a great story. Much better than "The Heart of Darkness" the Heart of Darkness was an absolute grind to read and a strain on the eyes by comparison.

[@fredhuybens2783]

Leopold said: 'Petit pays, petit esprit' and not as quoted 'Petit pays, petites gens' which makes no sense.

[@radnasirhill]

what a stupid load of made-up stories, by so-called historian. Stupid.

[@radnasirhill]

I will, just for you. Happy now? You blind follower.

[@CalienteDesign]

Can volunteers assist with English and producing video interviews in English?

[@catdaddy3302]

Conrad’s book, Heart Of Darkness, is a wonderful book. “Mistah Kurtz, he dead.”

[@JackAShepherd]

The Horror The Horror

[@ayeitsnhi]

I was watching Diy videos how did I get here

[@WellHelloThere1]

Thank you for the great video.

[@RhondaWimmOfficial]

Yeah

[@BROTHERARTMUSICArturoJCastro]

An excellent teaching as we continue to see just how much America was also involved with the horrors inflicted upon African humanity. God will ultimately judge each and everyone of these iconic Devils.

[@napoleonsparis2058]

Not quickly enough.

[@JackAShepherd]

You're not wrong but when did Hochschild mention America in this lecture? He mentioned the US in the context of American (and other) missionaries trying to draw attention to the atrocities in Congo, and also in US support of Mobutu. This is mostly about Belgium!

[@radnasirhill]

@@JackAShepherd US was at the Berlins conference to support Belgium with their colonial plans after slavery was abolished in the US they hide behind a smokescreen called Belgian king and enjoyed the rubber and other goodies. And this wasn't a lecture but some sort of Harry Potters kind of twisted fantasies of one old man.

[@thierrycoxyde-ping-3065]

This is a part of the True, À part of propoganda. 20 million losses on 10 million People is not possible and based on estimation, i can tell all about it with good sources.

[@thierrycoxyde-ping-3065]

Thé abolition of slavery was different in different country, last was Brasil wih the Portugees. Thete was not slavery in belguin Congo.

[@lomolongoshosola713]

This makes me mad omg, what kind of people would see wealth as happiness? Why not trade knowledge and recognize that those people were HUMAN! Thats so sad man... it really is.

[@radnasirhill]

You may ask this question to your local African slave dealers, they invented the game in the first place.

[@lomolongoshosola713]

@@radnasirhill naw, it was a difference in hierarchy not humanity.

[@radnasirhill]

@@lomolongoshosola713 No my friend slavery was sold to white people by your African salesman, they have been doing it for centuries and the fact that the white man took it to the next level is undeniable and really shows that there is no racial difference between people some cunts will trade people for money on both sides, but let's take the romantic films out of this[Amistad or Bloody diamonds,or 12 years of slavery and so on]there was very few freed slaves really rushing back to Africa and I think that the main reason was the fear to be resold [recycled] on their return and shipped to another place on earth straight away. Don't try to twist it. I'm not taking part. Neither in Africans nor slave loving Europeans are better or worst they are luckily almost all dead today , I'm just trying to call things by correct names and terms. There are slaves in Africa even today and there are slaves in Europe even today not all things are cushty but everybody should start from cleaning up his bedroom or sweep up his porch or what is the right term and after finishing that there will be no messy porch or bedroom to point at. Do you get it pa? Take care. One more thing, did you know that the current head of EU that skinny woman grand grandmother was a slaveowners wife down south in the USA and her father was from a long line of cotton trader families in Germany not sure now, her father was a German top politician in late 90ties. Did you know that? Basically, slave owners kids, have replaced Nazies in Germany after WWII and now their kids are getting the top job in the EU and that is the reason why they telling these shit twisted stories about one man who never set his foot on African soil, who is allegedly responsible for 10 million lives. How is that possible, did he killed them over the internet? And that video is university material, amazing education in the US they got. Cock and bull stories on history lessons.

[@KahurangiSteez]

I always wonder whether mass production of cars would have taken off without the influx of cheap rubber from the congo

[@carolanande1355]

I am sorry what is needed is not just a government by the people. What is needed is Repatriation....For heavens sake how does centuries of abuse leave a sane people. Europe USA has a responsibility to repatriate and do so responsibily that it reaches the people.!

[@JackAShepherd]

I think that's up to the African-descended folks who're citizens of Western countries... Forced repatriation doesn't sound super humane

[@hollhtohlk3884]

For a researcher and a historian his storytelling might be off putting but for a casual reader like me his books are enjoyable.

[@d.davidkabasela2711]

Where this intelligence come from...?

[@christiaanhoekstra6053]

The Congo should name, the formerly known Leopoldville, now Kinshasha, Morelplace

[@smilinder01]

Christiaan Hoekstra No - city of Lumumba, enough of white saviorism, especially those who personally and nationally profited, without reparations.

[@rutonde]

It’s astounding how that dude lies in such a glib manner. As if his claims go without saying and don’t need to be supported by any facts. Just state ‘em and that’s that!

[@JackAShepherd]

He's one of the world's foremost experts on colonial Congo. He's not saying anything that anyone but some weird, hyperconservative Belgian nationalists might disagree with. But please, KZbin Rando, enlighten us with your superior expertise...

[@JackAShepherd]

"Supported by facts"... Have you even read King Leopold's Ghost? I have. It's got a massive bibliography.

[@radnasirhill]

@@JackAShepherd Expert senile idiotic sellout how we calling him. The guy is a walking cover-up.

[@immortalituss]

@@JackAShepherd his book is mostly based on older work by daniel vangroenweghe, jules marchal and jan vansina, three belgian historians. But its not without criticism. The 10 million number has since been shown to be wrong for instance.

History is repleted with facts but since one's humanity if often overshadowed with greed and disdain, coupled with the devilish nature of many simply can't and refuse to see the humanity in others. I suspect that you, similiar of many of yesteryear and present much prefer to deny history. Not surprising.

[@tedsonkabiru4349]

This should make you retrace your origin as a black person overseas and return home. That was where your ancestors wanted you to live and experience your life. And they were forced to move abroad. Which they never wanted to.

[@commando2113]

Why do they allways say king of belgium the king is king of the belgian's not from belgium the king does not own belgium

[@OG_SKULLY]

OMG. What a curriculum 🫢

[@jeffreyvandenbroeck7196]

What our King did in Congo is terrible and in a fair world he should indeed have been convicted for crimes against humanity and as a Belgian I would like to apoligize to the People of Congo. On the other side Leopold II made Belgium the rich country it (still) is so as a people we still feel like we should be grateful for that. (i know it is wrong) But in the 60'ties we were doing good things in the Congo mainly for us but more and more also for the people of Congo. Of 1 thing I am sure. If we had stayed togheter we would have been a world power with wealth and equal rights for all.

[@Bazompora]

What good has our little Belgium done for the DRC since the 60's? Was it the Katanga Secession? Was it conspiring with the Americans to assassinate Lumumba? Was it ultimately turning to Mobutu? Was it forcing power sharing with Nkunda (wanted warlord) and Ntaganda (convicted warlord)? Was it openly backing Bemba (another warlord), before recognising J. Kabila's coup dynasty for president? Was it conspiring with J. Kabila to install Tshisekedi as a shared puppet ruler?

[@radnasirhill]

you loved and you still do love your great king for being able to make this childish story about his great power and in the nighttime, Belgians are checking brilliants at the candlelight, brought home by a grandfather from Congo.

[@ntsikimaz3322]

Lol so you're still defending his demonic history 😂 ay

[@nickyapenahier9214]

How do i trust a Rothchild to talk about Congo 🤦🏾‍♂️??

[@honestguy7764]

I dont know, but, hey to try a to trust a Hochschild like this guy. You know, Rothschild family ususally does nothing to do wit ethnology.

[@geoffreyembasa8483]

This a general African experience not limited to Congo even us in East Africa.Up to date.Nothing has changed much today.The guy says it as it is

[@JackAShepherd]

Wrong surname but thanks for letting the Comments section know you're an antisemite and a moron 👏

[@radnasirhill]

@@honestguy7764 What ethnology? Do you got the same name for slavery and ethnology? God save us.

[@zakiyabambozzle2933]

Get that antisemitism away from here

[@RealBonnieBlue]

King Hochschild's hoax is better

[@MagicRyanM]

Professional liar.

[@presidenterdoganmaleprosti3071]

I agree. Christians have committed by far the most genocides.

[@DCM88]

Oddvar Stallemo you wordship a jew nailed to a cross, not the archetypes of the true Gods your pagan ancestors lived by.

[@marielaveau6362]

@Oddvar Stallemo stop lying! They were forced by Leopolds men to do these things, period.

[@geoffreyembasa8483]

@Oddvar Stallemo Africans by nature are a clan oriented people.Its against every cultural code to enslave, exploit or kill a brother.That one invites curses.The communal Sense is so strong unless overrun by a strange system

[@geoffreyembasa8483]

@Oddvar Stallemo Most missionaries had nothing to do with the mess in Africa.They were simply outran by their bigger, insidious govt agenda.

[@fringeelements]

This guy just can't stop lying.

[@Wurzelbinder]

At which Point?

[@felixndayisdebologne9725]

You will never get an answer !

[@geoffreyembasa8483]

From the African point of view he seems to have gathered most of his facts from the ground.In East Africa we underwent almost a similar experience as a result of the confederancy b/w the Portuguese and Arabs.Ultimately the britons

[@lomolongoshosola713]

how is he lying? Is he not tell the whole truth about what happened? Or is Lying about it happeneing?

[@khubza8999]

Isn't yours a willfull ignorance?

[@MrSimonetbenoit]

A little easy to point out only all the bad stuff...what about asking the ones living in Congo nowadays if it's better? How come they are begging mean whites to come back? Please do inform yourself and make your own opinion.

[@maris2200]

MrSimonetbenoit You are no better than your fellow devil Leopold. Beg yourself. No one needs your wickedness. U never left Congo idiot.

[@JackAShepherd]

All they talk about in Africa is Africa For Africans, pan-Africanism, kicking out all foreigners (especially the Chinese) who continue to plunder their resources. Those voices are coming from inside your head -- not from Africa. But I like how you managed to both-sides a crime against humanity! Why does every film, lecture, documentary about the Holocaust only point out all the bad stuff, right? But perhaps my favorite part of this awesome comment is your implication that you, Random KZbin Troll, know more about this topic -- re: "Please do inform yourself" -- than one of the foremost experts in colonial Congo 👌🏻