American Congo....Why?

I have seen a couple of timelines, where if America went to the Berlin conference, they would get the Belgian Congo.

I never understood this, were they offered this in OTL?
 
I know that, but why the Congo?

It was gonna become a big bone of contention between the Great Powers of Europe, and Bismarck figured that the best way to preserve the Concert was to give it either to a power disinterested in European affairs (i.e. the USA) or a minor power (i.e. Belgium).
 
It was gonna become a big bone of contention between the Great Powers of Europe, and Bismarck figured that the best way to preserve the Concert was to give it either to a power disinterested in European affairs (i.e. the USA) or a minor power (i.e. Belgium).

So, it was a serious plan to give the US the Congo? I never knew that
 
So, it was a serious plan to give the US the Congo? I never knew that

I doubt it. The whole point of the Berlin Conference was that Leopold was making to much of a fuss about wanting the whole place and the other powers were at varying degrees of fine about it.
However, if for some reason Congo is not given to Leopold (France was especially lukewarm about it, and Britain went along with it mostly because it was better than letting someone else into the area) the Americans are somewhat plausible candidate, provided they are interested (which I think to be the hard part).
 
I doubt it. The whole point of the Berlin Conference was that Leopold was making to much of a fuss about wanting the whole place and the other powers were at varying degrees of fine about it.
However, if for some reason Congo is not given to Leopold (France was especially lukewarm about it, and Britain went along with it mostly because it was better than letting someone else into the area) the Americans are somewhat plausible candidate, provided they are interested (which I think to be the hard part).

Danish congo maybe? If someone makes a timeline and prevents Belgium from getting the place(preventing the Congo Free State), I really cant think of anyone who could take it except Denmark, Sweden or The Netherlands.
 
France was especially lukewarm about it.

Actually, you had an agreement on Congo, that was basically : if Lepold was to leave it, France would have a preferential option. I don't think they would be able or willing to take it all, but at least the Northern and Western part.
 
Danish congo maybe? If someone makes a timeline and prevents Belgium from getting the place(preventing the Congo Free State), I really cant think of anyone who could take it except Denmark, Sweden or The Netherlands.
Portugal.

Denmark does not have the cash to even begin building an adminstration.
Sweden could theoretically be able, but why on Earth would they do that?
By all appearances, the area looks just like a large disease-ridden money sink. Which is, by the way, why the Colonial Office turned down Stanley when he offered it to Britain, before going to Leopold.
 

SinghKing

Banned
Portugal.

Denmark does not have the cash to even begin building an adminstration.
Sweden could theoretically be able, but why on Earth would they do that?
By all appearances, the area looks just like a large disease-ridden money sink. Which is, by the way, why the Colonial Office turned down Stanley when he offered it to Britain, before going to Leopold.

What about Argentina or Brazil? :) (Don't look at me like that. I'm not crazy, honest... :()
 
Danish congo maybe? If someone makes a timeline and prevents Belgium from getting the place(preventing the Congo Free State), I really cant think of anyone who could take it except Denmark, Sweden or The Netherlands.
What about Russia?

Would Britain and other powers agree to this given that Russia can't easily challenge UK or France in the region if things go sour between them?
 
What about Russia?

Would Britain and other powers agree to this given that Russia can't easily challenge UK or France in the region if things go sour between them?

In the rather outlandish happenstance that Russia is somehow interested, I can see this being a rather big no-no for Britain.
 
Why do you think that? I never heard of that idea.

America has had a long friendly relationship with Morocco. Teddy was strongly opposed to the idea of Europeans forcing their will on a long time American ally. With Morocco being a point of contention between Germany and France it would make sense that a US that goes to the Berlin Conference would gain a protectorate in the form of Morocco.
 
Why do you think that? I never heard of that idea.

Because Morocco was contentious between France, Spain and Germany, and was closer to leading to a war. With the "neutral" USA (prior to SAW) as its "protector," all parties could have equal non-access - best situation is everyone loses. Additionally, Morocco and the US have a "long" (relative to the age of the US), positive diplomatic history.
 
America has had a long friendly relationship with Morocco. Teddy was strongly opposed to the idea of Europeans forcing their will on a long time American ally. With Morocco being a point of contention between Germany and France it would make sense that a US that goes to the Berlin Conference would gain a protectorate in the form of Morocco.

I've experimented with the idea of an American Morocco in my early days here. How might this impact WWI and WWII?
 
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