King Leopold II (Belgium)

King Leopold II of Belgium, who reigned from 1865 to 1909, is best known for his brutal exploitation of the Congo Free State, a personal possession rather than a Belgian colony. Seeking wealth from rubber and ivory, he enforced harsh labor practices, leading to millions of deaths and severe human rights abuses. His regime faced international condemnation, and in 1908, the Belgian government took control of the Congo. Leopold's legacy remains controversial, symbolizing the dark side of colonialism and the exploitation of Africa for European profits.