Funny how that was really how much of that was actually portrayed at the time.

Basically Machiavellian villains - sending someone to exploit the frontiers of Africa or “New World”, someone you know will not be doing things ethically, then convicting them for doing your own bidding. Whilst at the diplomatic table everyone maintains a facade of “we’re bringing jobs and higher quality of life for the natives, and teaching them the ways of God” while talking about Belgian Congo.