American Imperialist: Cruelty and Consequence in the Scramble for Africa

American Imperialist is a biography of Richard Dorsey Mohun, an African explorer who was the agent of American corporate greed and European imperial ambition. It explores how his pursuit of career success and financial security came at a tragic cost to countless Africans.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Richard Dorsey Mohun, an African explorer, played a significant role in shaping the new imperial order in Africa. Throughout his career, he traversed the eastern United States, the cities and courts of Europe, and the African continent, serving various roles, including those of a US State Department official and a consultant to King Leopold of Belgium. Mohun was a freelance imperialist who implemented schemes driven by American investors and the Congo Free State. His actions had a profound impact on the course of African history.

In her book, American Imperialist, historian Arwen P. Mohun delves into the life and actions of her great-grandfather, Richard Dorsey Mohun. Rather than seeking to excuse his actions, Mohun aims to understand how individual ambition and imperial lust intertwined, leading to catastrophic consequences. Through meticulous research and analysis, she offers a nuanced portrayal of Mohun's pursuit of career success and financial security for his family, revealing the tragic toll it took on countless Africans.

Mohun's journey began with his upbringing in Washington, D.C., where he was the son of a bookseller. Despite his modest beginnings, he displayed a keen interest in exploration and adventure. He attended Harvard University, where he studied geography and history, and later worked as a mapmaker and cartographer.

Mohun's career took him to various parts of the world, including Africa. He served as a US State Department official in the late 19th century, working on diplomatic missions and negotiating trade agreements. During this time, he gained a deep understanding of the political and economic dynamics of the African continent.

However, Mohun's true calling was as an imperialist. He saw the potential for profit and power in Africa and set out to exploit it. He worked as a consultant to King Leopold of Belgium, who was seeking to establish a colony in the Congo Basin. Mohun played a key role in the establishment of the Congo Free State, a brutal regime that exploited the natural resources of the region for the benefit of Belgian investors.

Mohun's actions in the Congo were deeply controversial. He was accused of brutality, corruption, and human rights abuses, and his involvement in the Free State has been widely condemned. However, Mohun defended his actions, arguing that he was simply doing his job and that the benefits of colonialism outweighed the costs.

Despite his controversial legacy, Mohun's impact on African history cannot be denied. His efforts to exploit the natural resources of the continent for financial gain helped to shape the political and economic landscape of the region for decades to come. His legacy also serves as a reminder of the complex and often conflicting motivations that drove individuals and nations to engage in imperialism.

In conclusion, Richard Dorsey Mohun's biography provides a fascinating insight into the complex relationship between individual ambition, imperial lust, and the shaping of African history. Through her meticulous research and analysis, historian Arwen P. Mohun offers a nuanced portrait of Mohun's life and actions, challenging us to consider the ethical and moral implications of imperialism and the impact it had on countless lives.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226828190