Livingstone hoped that his explorations would have several positive effects:
Spreading Christianity: Livingstone was a devout Christian and believed that spreading Christianity was his moral obligation. He aimed to establish Christian missions in unexplored regions and convert indigenous people to Christianity.
Promoting European trade and commerce: Livingstone believed that Africa had vast economic potential and that European trade could benefit both Africa and Europe. He promoted the idea of a "legitimate trade" that would replace the slave trade and bring economic prosperity to Africa.
Ending the slave trade: Livingstone was a vocal opponent of the slave trade and worked to expose its horrors to the Western world. He believed that his explorations would help raise awareness about the slave trade and contribute to its eventual abolition.
Scientific exploration: Livingstone was also interested in scientific exploration and made valuable contributions to the knowledge of African geography, botany, and zoology. His detailed observations and records helped to increase scientific understanding of the African continent.
Promoting British imperialism: Livingstone's explorations also served the interests of British imperialism. His work helped to pave the way for British colonial expansion in Africa, particularly in the regions he explored.
Henry Stanley
Henry Stanley's motives for exploring Africa were similar to those of Livingstone in some respects, but there were also some key differences:
Spreading Christianity: While Stanley was a Christian, his religious motivations were not as pronounced as Livingstone's. He did not have a strong missionary zeal and did not actively engage in proselytization during his explorations.
Promoting European trade and commerce: Like Livingstone, Stanley recognized the economic potential of Africa and saw it as an opportunity for European commercial interests. He played a significant role in promoting trade and investment in Africa, particularly in the Congo region.
Personal fame and recognition: Stanley was ambitious and sought personal glory through his explorations. He wanted to become famous and achieve recognition for his accomplishments and bravery.
Supporting colonial expansion: Stanley was closely associated with King Leopold II of Belgium and played a crucial role in establishing the Congo Free State, which was a brutal and exploitative colonial regime. His explorations facilitated European control and exploitation of African resources.
Investigating the fate of Livingstone: One of Stanley's famous expeditions was specifically aimed at finding and assisting Livingstone, who was believed to be missing in Africa. This mission brought international attention and further elevated Stanley's status as an explorer.
In summary, while both Livingstone and Stanley had a mixture of motives for their explorations, Livingstone was primarily driven by religious and humanitarian goals, while Stanley's motivations were more focused on personal fame, economic interests, and supporting European colonial expansion.