Video - The Dark Legacy of King Leopold II

Hello! Today I am going to talk about one of the most cruel leaders in history, King Leopold II of Belgium. Leopold II ascended the throne as King of Belgium in the late 19th century. He established a ruthless rule in the Congo, which he considered his personal property. In order to control the rubber and ivory trade in the Congo, he forced the locals to work and subjected them to harsh punishments. Millions of Congolese died or were maimed during Leopold's rule. The atrocities and genocides committed under his command are remembered as one of the darkest periods in history. The human rights abuses and torture provoked an international outcry and eventually Leopold lost control over the Congo. Leopold II is remembered in history both as a ruthless colonizer and as responsible for a great human tragedy.