Léopold II's Black Book

Léopold II’s Black Book refers to documentation and evidence highlighting the brutal exploitation and atrocities committed during his personal rule over the Congo Free State (1885–1908). Under his leadership, millions of Congolese people suffered forced labor, violence, and severe abuse as he exploited the region’s resources, particularly rubber and ivory, for personal wealth. The “Black Book” symbolizes the documented human rights abuses, exposing the extent of violence and cruelty inflicted, and remains a significant account of colonial atrocities and their devastating impact on the Congolese population.