ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions Brutal Things That Were "Normal" For History's Deadliest King
History is full of stories about kings and queens who ruled with an iron fist, often putting their people through wars and hardships while living in luxury themselves. One such ruler, known for his particularly harsh reign, was King Leopold II of Belgium. While he is sometimes called the “Builder King” for his contributions to Belgium, his rule had a much darker side that affected an entire country in Africa.
King Leopold II was born in 1835 and became the king of Belgium in 1865. At that time, Belgium was a relatively new country, having gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830. Leopold II’s father, Leopold I, was Belgium’s first king. Leopold II earned the nickname “Builder King” because he developed many public spaces in Belgium, like the Royal Galleries and Duden Park in Brussels.
During the mid-1800s, European countries were racing to claim territories in Africa, a period known as the “Scramble for Africa.” Leopold II wanted Belgium to have its own colony, believing it would make the country stronger and wealthier. In 1876, he organized the Brussels Geographic Conference, inviting experts to discuss setting up a humanitarian presence in Central Africa. He claimed he wanted to help the people there, but he also had his eyes on acquiring land for himself.
Leopold II met a British explorer named Henry Morton Stanley at the conference. Stanley was hired to travel to the Congo River basin and make deals with local leaders to claim land for Leopold. By 1884, at the Berlin Conference, Leopold had secured over two million square kilometers of land, which he called the Congo Free State, and declared himself its ruler.
Leopold set up a small government and a private army called the Force Publique to control the area. He wanted to make the Congo Free State profitable, so he took control of its resources, especially rubber, which was in high demand due to the invention of the pneumatic tire.
The rubber industry in the Congo led to severe exploitation of the local people. The Force Publique enforced strict quotas, and those who didn’t meet them faced brutal consequences. Many people were killed, and entire villages were destroyed. Reports of violence and harsh punishments began to emerge, including mutilation and taking hostages to force people to work.
It’s estimated that between one and ten million people died during Leopold’s rule due to violence, starvation, disease, or exhaustion. The exact number is unknown because no census was conducted. By the 1890s, the world started to hear about these atrocities, leading to international pressure on Leopold.
In 1908, the Belgian government forced Leopold to give up control of the Congo Free State, renaming it the Belgian Congo. Despite the evidence, Leopold denied any wrongdoing until his death in 1909. His funeral was met with public anger, reflecting the controversial nature of his reign.
King Leopold II’s legacy is still debated today as more people learn about the impact of his rule in the Congo. Understanding this part of history helps us see the long-lasting effects of colonialism and the importance of human rights.
Research the key events during King Leopold II’s rule over the Congo Free State. Create a timeline that includes at least five major events, such as the Berlin Conference and the end of Leopold’s rule. Use visuals like images or drawings to make your timeline engaging.
Participate in a classroom debate about the effects of colonialism. Divide into two groups: one supporting the idea that colonialism brought development to colonized regions, and the other arguing that it caused more harm than good. Use evidence from King Leopold II’s rule to support your arguments.
Engage in a role-playing activity where you assume the roles of different historical figures involved in the Congo Free State, such as King Leopold II, Henry Morton Stanley, or a member of the Force Publique. Discuss their motivations and actions, and how they contributed to the events in the Congo.
Conduct a research project on the evolution of human rights since the time of King Leopold II. Focus on how international awareness of atrocities, like those in the Congo, has influenced modern human rights laws and organizations. Present your findings in a report or presentation.
Write a short story or diary entry from the perspective of a Congolese person living under King Leopold II’s rule. Describe the daily challenges and emotions experienced during this period. Use historical facts to make your narrative realistic and informative.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
—
History has its fair share of brutal monarchies—kings and queens who put their royal subjects through wars, punished so-called traitors, and lived lavishly while their subjects suffered. However, there is one recent monarch who may be considered among the most brutal in modern history: King Leopold II of Belgium. While he is often remembered as the “Builder King,” there is a darker side to his reign that had devastating effects on an entire country.
Hello and welcome back to Nutty History. Today, we’re discussing King Leopold II of Belgium and why he is often referred to as one of history’s most notorious rulers. A quick note: today’s video addresses some sensitive topics, so viewer discretion is advised. The issues of colonialism and foreign sovereignty are still being examined today, and Leopold II is a significant figure in this context.
King Leopold II of Belgium was born in 1835 and ascended to the throne in 1865. At that time, Belgium was still a young nation. Leopold’s father, Leopold I, was the country’s first king after gaining independence from the Netherlands in 1830. Leopold II would later earn the title “Builder King” for his contributions to public spaces, such as the Royal Galleries, Duden Park in Brussels, and the Cinquantenaire.
The mid-1800s saw the European-led “Scramble for Africa,” where many European nations sought to acquire territories on the continent. Starting in 1855, Leopold II began advocating for Belgium to acquire a colony. He believed that a strong and prosperous country needed its own colonies.
In 1876, he hosted the Brussels Geographic Conference, inviting scientists, geographers, explorers, and philanthropists to discuss establishing a humanitarian presence in Central Africa. Leopold II claimed he wanted to improve the lives of the people living there. The conference resulted in the establishment of the International African Association, with Leopold II as its chairman. At the conference, he met Henry Morton Stanley, a British explorer hired to travel to the Congo River basin and establish treaties with local leaders, claiming the land in Leopold’s name.
Leopold II’s stated goals included suppressing the East African slave trade and promoting humanitarian efforts. However, he also expressed a desire to secure a portion of Africa for himself. At the Berlin Conference in 1884, he successfully claimed an area of over two million square kilometers as his private domain.
On February 5, 1885, King Leopold II declared the area the Congo Free State and appointed himself its sovereign. He established a small government composed of his appointees and created a private army known as the Force Publique. Running the Congo Free State proved costly, and Leopold II sought to maintain control and profitability.
To expand and secure the territory, Leopold engaged the Force Publique and various mercenaries. He declared that all vacant land in the Congo Free State was state-owned, effectively monopolizing resources. When trading companies protested, he created dominions where private companies had complete control over the land and its inhabitants, with profits going directly to the crown.
Leopold II’s interest in the Congo stemmed from rumors of gold and a burgeoning ivory industry. The invention of the pneumatic tire in 1887 made rubber cultivation highly profitable, and the Congo’s jungles were rich in rubber vines. This industry funded many of Leopold’s public works, contrasting sharply with his earlier claims.
However, the cultivation of rubber led to severe exploitation. The Force Publique enforced strict rubber quotas, and villagers who failed to meet these quotas faced dire consequences. Many were killed, and entire villages were destroyed. The treatment of laborers was often brutal, with reports of severe punishment for those who resisted.
Leopold II’s regime was marked by extreme violence, including the mutilation of workers as a form of punishment. Although he reportedly disapproved of such practices, he was primarily concerned about their impact on his operations. Women and children were often taken hostage to compel men to work, and orphaned children were sent to schools operated by missionaries, where they were forced into labor.
It is estimated that between one and ten million people died during the period of the Congo Free State due to violence, starvation, disease, or exhaustion. The exact number is difficult to determine, as no census was conducted. By the 1890s, reports of atrocities began to surface, prompting some international scrutiny.
In 1908, after significant pressure, the Belgian government forced King Leopold II to relinquish control of the Congo Free State, renaming it the Belgian Congo. Leopold continued to deny any wrongdoing until his death in 1909, and his funeral procession was met with public disdain.
Leopold II’s reign remains a controversial topic as more people learn about his legacy in the Congo. We hope this discussion sheds light on King Leopold II’s impact on history. Thank you for watching Nutty History.
—
This version removes explicit details and harsh language while maintaining the essence of the original content.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – History helps us understand how past societies, systems, ideologies, governments, cultures, and technologies were built, how they operated, and how they have changed.
King – A male monarch of a major territorial unit, especially one whose position is hereditary and who rules for life. – King Louis XIV of France was known for his absolute monarchy and the construction of the Palace of Versailles.
Belgium – A country in Western Europe known for its role in European history, particularly during the colonial period. – Belgium played a significant role in the colonization of Africa, notably in the Congo Free State under King Leopold II.
Africa – The second-largest continent, known for its diverse cultures, languages, and histories. – Africa’s rich history includes ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Carthage, as well as the impact of European colonization.
Colony – A country or area under the full or partial political control of another country and occupied by settlers from that country. – India was a British colony until it gained independence in 1947.
Exploitation – The action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work. – The exploitation of indigenous peoples and resources was a significant aspect of European colonialism in the Americas.
Atrocities – Extremely wicked or cruel acts, typically involving physical violence or injury. – The atrocities committed during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994 shocked the international community.
Rubber – A natural polymer obtained from the latex of certain plants, historically significant as a resource in colonial economies. – The demand for rubber in the late 19th century led to severe exploitation and human rights abuses in the Congo Free State.
Colonialism – The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. – Colonialism had a profound impact on the cultural and political landscapes of colonized regions, often leading to long-term economic and social challenges.
Human Rights – Basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death. – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 to promote and protect human rights globally.
