European voices who opposed colonization—including activists, missionaries, politicians, writers, and everyday citizens. These anti-colonial Europeans were often marginalized, ignored, or even silenced because their views challenged powerful economic and political interests.

Who Opposed Colonization?

1. Human Rights Activists & Abolitionists

• Opposed the brutality, forced labor, and racism of colonial regimes.

• Spoke out especially after witnessing atrocities or reading first-hand accounts.

E.D. Morel and Roger Casement exposed King Leopold II’s atrocities in the Congo Free State—leading to international outrage.

2. Anti-Imperialist Politicians & Thinkers

• Criticized colonization as morally wrong, economically exploitative, or a betrayal of democratic values.

• Some were socialists, liberals, or early feminists who saw empire as oppression.

J.A. Hobson (British economist) argued that imperialism only benefited wealthy elites and harmed the working class.
Bertrand Russell, the philosopher, also opposed empire and war.

3. Christian Missionaries (A Minority)

• A few missionaries spoke against slavery, forced labor, and abuses they witnessed in the colonies.

• Some defended the dignity and autonomy of African peoples.

John Harris and his wife Alice campaigned against atrocities in Congo and were part of the Congo Reform Association.

4. Writers & Artists

• Some European authors criticized colonization in their books and poetry.

Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness (1902) portrayed the horror of Belgian Congo, though it remains debated for its own racial lens.

How Were They Treated?

1. Marginalized or Dismissed

• Many were called “unpatriotic” or accused of helping enemies of the empire.

• Their work was censored, ignored, or mocked by colonial governments and pro-empire media.

2. Harassed or Imprisoned

• Some, like Roger Casement, were even executed (he was hanged for treason after also supporting Irish independence).

• Whistleblowers in Africa sometimes lost funding, faced smear campaigns, or were expelled.

3. Influenced Later Anti-Colonial Movements

• Though often sidelined, their reports, writings, and activism inspired future African leaders, reformers, and international human rights campaigns.

Conclusion:

Yes, many Europeans opposed colonization—on moral, economic, and political grounds.
But they were often silenced or sidelined by powerful pro-empire institutions.
Still, their voices laid the groundwork for future anti-colonial thought and global solidarity movements.

By Jo Ikeji-Uju
https://afriprime.net/pages/Anything