Le Mouvement Géographique, entre géographie et propagande coloniale

Abstract

In the late 19th century, the National Institute of Geography in Brussels published “Le Mouvement géographique”, subtitled “Journal populaire des sciences géographiques”. For almost 35 years, A.J. Wauters, its major instigator, has described with enthusiasm geographical discoveries all around the globe. Nevertheless, a closer look at the journal reveals it was not a plain geographical publication: the “Mouvement géographique” was also, and first of all, an instrument of colonial propaganda aimed at arousing the interest of the Belgian public opinion and business circles in Congo and in any acquisition of territories.This paper shows how geography served above all as a backdrop for the propaganda for the colonial aims in which Leopold II wanted to commit his country. After briefly analyzing the contents and evolution of the journal, we wonder who was behind the “Mouvement géographique”, and we discover, in the shadow of Wauters, the Compagnie du Congo pour le Commerce et l’Industrie, owner of the journal since 1890, but also, more discreetly, King Leopold II.

Keywords

• colonisation
• propagande
• presse
• Mouvement Géographique
• Congo