Java

How a book on operations inspired a genocide

For Black History Month, I wanted to take a different approach than the usual celebrations. Usually, people celebrate little-known individuals who achieved extraordinary things against impossible odds. We celebrate people of great strength and perseverance. However, today, I wanted to take a different angle. Today, I want to talk about a book—a book that inspired a king to take land and brutalize the people of the Congo.

One day, I was scrolling through YouTube and encountered a history podcast called The Rest is History. It is a show with two British hosts examining unique historical periods. The episode I happened to watch was about King Leopold II of Belgium. They discussed the period and various factors influencing the day's political climate. But one thing stood out to me: a book. A book that King Leopold II read called Java.

Java was written by J.W.B. Money. There is not much known about Mr. Money. Sources say that he was born in Calcutta, India. He was trained in law and worked as a lawyer. During his time working, he traveled to a place called Java, which is modern-day Indonesia, which was then under the control of the Dutch. What he saw inspired him—forced labor and slavery. He was struck with admiration for the methodologies the Dutch used to force the natives to labor for their colonies. His time spent there resulted in a book called Java, or, How to Manage a Colony: Showing a Practical Solution of the Questions Now Affecting British India. A copy of this book would one day make its way into the hands of King Leopold II. In turn, it would inspire him to create a colony, private company, and personal playground in the Congo—all in the name of profit and prestige.

This highlights a chilling reality: business, when wielded irresponsibly and without ethical constraints, can be a force for immense harm. The operational recommendations found in Java demonstrate how economic systems can be manipulated for exploitation rather than progress. King Leopold II's reign over the Congo resulted in millions of deaths, forced labor, and unspeakable cruelty—all justified under the banner of commerce and development. The very language of Java reduced human suffering to a mere operational challenge, illustrating how business principles, stripped of morality, can become tools of oppression.

Yet, history is not just a record of those who exploit, but also of those who resist. In the face of King Leopold's brutality, there were individuals who took a stand. People like Roger Casement, E.D. Morel, George Washington Williams, and William Henry Sheppard played critical roles in exposing the horrors of the Congo Free State to the world.

Casement, a British consul, documented the atrocities in what became known as the Casement Report. He traveled through the Congo, gathering firsthand testimonies and photographic evidence, which he compiled into an official report that shocked the world. His work laid the foundation for international condemnation and calls for reform.

Morel, a journalist, realized that the trade imbalance between Belgium and the Congo suggested systemic exploitation. He founded the Congo Reform Association and used newspapers, books, and public speeches to spread the truth. His relentless advocacy forced European governments to take notice and pressure Belgium to change its policies.

Williams, an African American historian and minister, visited the Congo and was appalled by what he saw. He penned an open letter, An Open Letter to His Serene Majesty Leopold II, King of the Belgians, exposing the brutal treatment of the Congolese people. His work was one of the earliest and most powerful indictments of Leopold’s regime, setting the stage for further activism.

Sheppard, a missionary, took significant personal risks to document abuses committed against the Congolese people. He gathered photographic evidence, testimonies, and detailed accounts of forced labor and executions. His bravery led to his imprisonment by Belgian authorities, but his work helped rally global outrage and support for change.

These individuals remind us that while business and governance can be wielded for exploitation, they can also be challenged. Their courage laid the groundwork for future human rights movements and international accountability. Their tireless efforts in spreading the truth—through diplomatic reports, journalism, public activism, and firsthand testimonies—demonstrate the power of information and moral conviction in the fight against injustice.

So, while we acknowledge the dark legacy left by Leopold and the insidious ideas in Java, we also celebrate those who fought against them. Black History Month is not just about resilience in adversity but also about the relentless pursuit of justice and the power of truth to bring about change.

Those who are interested can read Java for free today. You can see how it reads like a modern-day operations textbook. I will also link the podcast The Rest is History below. They have some really good work, and I cannot recommend their work enough.

Java : https://archive.org/details/javaorhowtomanag01mone/page/n3/mode/2up

Podcast:

This Month recommended reading:

King Lepold's Ghost

https://www.amazon.com/King-Leopolds-Ghost-Heroism-Colonial/dp/0618001905