Belgian King Leopold II

King Leopold II of Belgium (1835–1909) was the ruler of Belgium from 1865 to 1909. Internationally, he is known for establishing and personalizing the Congo Free State, a large area in Central Africa, primarily for economic gain through rubber, ivory, and other resources. His regime in the Congo was marked by brutal treatment of local populations, with widespread forced labor, violence, and human rights abuses, leading to millions of deaths. In 1908, the Belgian government took control from Leopold, transferring the territory to the Belgian state. His legacy remains controversial due to the exploitation and atrocities committed during his rule.