Joseph Conrad's African novella Heart of Darkness, written in 1898-99 was partly inspired by, but also anticipated, British critics--especially Roger Casement and E.D. Morel--of colonialism in the "Congo Free State". Casement and Morel revealed the hypocrisy of King Leopold II of the Belgians, who hid ruthless exploitation and genocide in the Congo under the cloak of a supposed civilizing mission. Conrad met Casement on a six-month visit to the Congo in 1890 and became a close friend. Morel learned of the "nightmare" of the Congo from Casement, but was also inspired in his campaign for the Congo Reform Association by Conrad's novella. Conrad's sympathy for people oppressed by great powers was derived from his Polish background, but his anti-colonialism was modified by admiration for British imperial efficiency.
Read
