USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

END OF WWI

[SOURCES]
King Leopold II’s rule in the Congo was ____

(A) Brutal, but typical for colonial Africa

(B) ** Particularly cruel and explotive

(C) Eh, not the best but not terrible

(D) Like any other imperialist rule at the time

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -Leopold II implemented a forced-labour system in the Congo that was quickly copied by other European colonial powers. This brutal practice was a catastrophe for the population of the Congo, and Leopold was eventually forced to give up his hold on the colony.

Concept note-2: -By 1908, Leopold II’s rule was deemed so cruel that European leaders, themselves violently exploiting Africa, condemned it and the Belgian parliament forced him to relinquish control of his fiefdom.

Concept note-3: -Leopold II ruled the Congo as his personal dominion from 1885 to 1908. During this period, the country was forced to endure the systematic exploitation of its natural resources, especially ivory and rubber.