The Congo Free State, also known as the Independent State of the Congo (French: État indépendant du Congo), was a large state and absolute monarchy in Central Africa from 1885 to 1908. It was privately owned by King Leopold II, the constitutional monarch of …

Jan 10, 2025 · Congo Free State, former state in Africa that occupied almost all of the Congo River basin, coextensive with the modern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was created in the 1880s as the private holding of a group of European investors headed by Leopold II, …

On February 5, 1885, Belgian King Leopold II established the Congo Free State by brutally seizing the African landmass as his personal possession. Rather than control the Congo as a colony , as other European powers did throughout Africa, Leopold privately owned the region .

May 28, 2024 · The establishment of the Congo Free State represents one of the most infamous episodes in the history of European imperialism in Africa. This vast territory, now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was a personal possession of King Leopold II …

Jan 20, 2023 · The Congo Free State, also known as the Independent State of the Congo, was a private possession owned by King Leopold II of Belgium from 1885 to 1908. King Leopold II became interested in the region during Sir Henry Morton Stanley’s exploration of the Congo River between 1874 and 1877.

The Congo Free State was a former state in Africa covering much of the territory that comprises the modern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was created in the 1880s through agreements with local rulers by a group of European investors headed by Leopold II, King of the Belgians.

The Congo Free State was a large area in Central Africa controlled by King Leopold II of Belgium from 1885 to 1908, originally established as a personal possession of the king.

The Congo Free State (French: État indépendant du Congo) was a large area in Central Africa. It was privately owned by Leopold II, King of the Belgians. Leopold convinced the international community that he was involved in humanitarian work.

Under international pressure the Belgian government annexes the Congo free state - meanwhile adding to Leopold's fortune by paying him 50 million francs, to compensate for his 'sacrifices' on behalf of the nation.

As part of this agreement, Leopold II of Belgium gained personal control over the Congo region. In fact, Leopold II officially formed the Congo Free State in 1885 and ruled over it as his own private possession. He used his control over the region to as a way of amassing a fortune for himself.