What was Leopold II's contribution to the colonization of Africa?

Answer 1

King Leopold II of Belgium organized explorations to Central Africa. He organized a geographical conference, where the most distinguished people gathered in Brussels. There they agreed to make places in central Africa to be used for scientific and philanthropic purposes. In 1879?, he sent Henry Stanley to explore the Congo and establish treaties with local leaders in the Congo, make trading stations and a railroad. These treaties granted him everything. "The treaties must grant us everything" After that he had to gain recognition of his colony. He did this at the Berlin Conference. He fooled the United States to be the first one to recognize his colony.

With the Congo in his control, Leopold began exploiting the locals for their ivory and rubber, despite his promise to preserve the native races. He kidnapped the women and children to force the men to collect rubber. Leopold made an army with the young African Men, he called it the force publique. When they used a cartridge they had to present a right hand. This was done to make sure that they were not storing cartridges for mutiny.

After E.D. Morel, Casement and the Congo Reform Association exposed his actions, it caused an uproar and Leopold was not able to keep his colony. He hid the money he had gained from the Congo. He then sold the Congo for a substantial amount of money, but the money he received did not come from Belgian taxpayers it was directly from the Congo.

When the Congo was put in Belgium's control not much changed. When the Congo gained its independence it was terribly crippled, it had an extreme shortage of college graduates. Anarchy exploded in the Congo.

After this it is about Lumumba, Mubutu, and Kabila.

Answer 2

• Leopold II was the colonial emperor of the Congo. He was a very aggressive and mean ruler who looked at the Congo, not as a colony belonging to his homeland, but as his own personal property